Valedictorian reminds classmates to live in the moment

by Seth Needham

Good Afternoon everyone

It’s an honor to stand in front of you as we celebrate our graduation. As your valedictorian I am grateful for the time I have shared with you all, and I am excited to see where life takes us.

Earlier this week, as I was writing this speech, I realized how fast time passes and if you don’t slow down, it will go on with out you. This is my last argument so get ready.

Whatever you guys think about time passing is wrong. It actually goes the same speed for everyone at every age, some people just choose to cherish it more. So thats what I’m encouraging you to do today.

Everyone that I asked thinks that time is a human construct, and there is no accurate way to measure it because it’s different everywhere.

I would argue that you can measure it in accomplishments and memories. So rather than thinking that high school wasted your time, think of it as a lesson in patience, and hopefully a time of good memories.  

Senior year went by so fast, and most of us were too focused on the end that we failed to appreciate the nuances. Whether you like it or not, time is an unstoppable march until we die. So live in the moment, and don’t be anxious about what is to come. Matthew 6:27 says “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life.”

While this is cliche, just remember that each passing moment is a opportunity to create memories, and that it’s not about the years in your life, but the life in our years. As Green Day said, “Take the photographs and still frames in your mind, hang it on the shelf in good health and good time, tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial, for what it’s worth, it was worth all the while.” 

Thank you all very much.