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Thanks to the class of 2025 for inviting me and allowing me to speak on your special night.
It truly is an honor. If my memory is correct, this is the first time I’ve been on this stage since I was a student in Mr. Walton’s fifth-grade class and we were up here for our spring program.
That was a long time ago. Ronald Reagan was president, and names like Stefanich, Lunceford, Marolt, Scheuer and Barich were in these hallways, and Bob Jalonen was a young principal at the time. Although I was not a graduate of this school, my parents and grandparents were, as were other family members, friends, my wife, two kids, as well as a third who this week completed her time here at Washington Elementary and will move across campus next fall to the Memorial High School building.
First, just some logistics. In my day I’ve seen and sat through a few of these speeches and I know they can get time consuming, even a little bit boring. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen tonight, so I’ve spent the last couple of days whittling this speech down, only keeping the most important points. I’ve practiced a little bit, and I think I’ve got this down to one hour.
But seriously....this night is not about who delivers the commencement address but about this momentous step in all of your lives. As Carena just said, Class of 2025, you’ve made it. What seemed so far away when YOU were on this stage for elementary school programs is now here, front and center.
You are graduates of Ely Memorial High School and have joined thousands who, through the 100 year history of this school, have taken this step of academic achievement and taken another step toward adulthood.
Your teachers, parents, and extended families have prepared you, and as you move forward, don’t ever forget to look back to where you’ve come from. Ely is unique and special and committed to its young people and education. Many have supported you on this journey, whether it has been through fundraisers or scholarships or with their tax dollars to support this school. You have joined the ranks of alumni, and when you get the opportunity, remember to pay it forward and give back when and if you can.
I really believe that because of this community, there is still an Ely High School. Take a look around the Iron Range. There are so many high schools that were part of the landscape 10, 20 30, 40 and 50 years ago - that are no more.
The Babbitt Knights, Tower-Soudan Golden Eagles, Biwabik Braves, Cook Little Gophers, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Blackhawks, Gilbert Buccaneers. Even the Eveleth Golden Bears and Virginia Blue Devils. Those names are now just part of history, while Ely High School and the Ely Timberwolves live on. When other communities fell to consolidation, the Ely area has stepped up to the plate and made sure this school is wellequipped for another century of history.
Ely High School has a remarkable tradition and you are now part of it. Through my work in the media, I’ve always known of and written about the achievements of Ely students... But for the last 10 years, as the high school athletic director, the unique qualities of this school and of our kids have become even more evident to me.
Some towns around here may be known for a particular sport or activity, but in Ely, the variety and multitude of achievements go across a wide spectrum. Just this year, we sent a volleyball team to the state tournament for a third year in a row, and have had state participants in sports ranging from cross country to girls golf. We sent robotics students to a world championship and our fledgling knowledge bowl team went to state. This winter our boys ski team finished second in the state and one of our boys basketball players set a school single game scoring record. And just this week, one of our track athletes set two section records and our baseball team scored a playoff upset against a team that only weeks ago was ranked first in the state.
Ely students achieve at a high level, and we’re doing this with graduating classes of 35, 40 or perhaps 50 students a year. This doesn’t happen by accident.
On this stage tonight, and on this stage on this night in year’s past, are honor students and scholarship winners, talented artists and musicians and future entrepreneurs, professionals educators and leaders. Be proud of that Ely education. You’ve earned that diploma and now you have another tool that’s at your disposal for the rest of your lives.
Graduates, I have a question for you.. Really a quick word association game. Think of this weekend, graduation weekend in Ely..... what do you think of when you think of graduation weekend in Ely? What’s happening all over town, in garages, in homes, perhaps at area gathering places such as Semer’s?
Parties.....yes. Well before I finish tonight I offer some advice that can be tied to the word PARTY - P. A. R. T. Y.
P is for passion. I guarantee that all of you have a passion for something. Maybe it’s not third hour English or fifth hour math, but there’s something that gets you going, that truly interests you. A hobby, a job, an activity. Something.
Find that passion, and, even better, see if you can turn that passion into your job or your life’s work. Some of the luckiest and happiest people in the world are those who love what they do.
A is for accountability. Be accountable. Show up for work on time. Don’t make excuses. Own up to your mistakes - we all make them.. Be the kind of teammate, be the kind of work colleague, be the kind of friend that you would want to have. As Keith Turner so eloquently stated at Vermilion’s graduation just a couple of weeks ago, “Show up.” Not every day will be easy. Life will have its challenges and there will be bad days and rough spots. But tough times don’t last, tough people do. And if you are accountable, if you are tough, if you take ownership and you show up, I guarantee you will be successful.
R is for reputation and respect. Reputation - we only have one. Take care of it. Nurture it. Guard it with your lives. What’s taken you years to build can go up in flames with one bad decision, one terribly bad choice. Just as in business, your reputation is your brand and it can either take you to tremendous heights or knock you down. Going hand in hand with that is respect.
Be respectful to others, do little things. A simple hello or a random act of kindness - or just be kind to those you encounter. How you treat others is a reflection of yourself, and believe me, you’ll find that it feels good, it feels really good, just to do something nice for somebody else.
Finally, TY is for thank you. Say it. Say it often. If you haven’t done so already, start soon by saying thank you to those who made this day possible for you. Your teachers, who helped you, educated you, challenged you and perhaps shaped who you are today. And no doubt your parents, who provided for you and were there each step of the way, sacrificing so you would have a better life, providing rides, buying sports equipment, showing up for all of those school activities and being there for you no matter what. I’m sure many of you have extended family, coaches, friends, employers, neighbors, those who granted you scholarships and others who’ve helped you on this first part of your life’s journey.
Say thank you.
And with that I thank you, Class of 2025, for allowing me the honor to speak to you tonight.
Best wishes to you all.
