001e e e good morning we were just told there is an accident at the north gate and that is delayed entry by some of our seniors and families so we're going to delay the start of the program by 10 minutes so at 10:10 we will begin so 1010 thank you un ra e e e not e e e friend is [Music] than [Music] for [Music] am [Music] e [Music] all [Music] like e spe e my yeah you got it I'll give it back for what call tra [Music] okay [Music] y [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] la [Applause] [Music] w [Music] than yeah [Music] w [Applause] ladies and Gentlemen please stay standing for the presentation of the Colors by Cadet senior master sergeant allora bracie and the singing of the national anthem by graduating
002senior Sam Huntington oh say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we H at the Twilight last ging whose broad stripes and bright stars through the per of spite or the ramp parts we watched were so gly streaming and the rocket R glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh s that star spangled man at [Music] w or the land of the [Applause] fre and the home of the oh Brave [Music] [Applause] outstanding job Sam you may be seated it is now my pleasure to present student body president Sydney [Applause] pabello good morning and welcome to the Air Academy High School's class of 2017 graduation [Applause] ceremony I'd like to personally thank all Administration staff families friends and my mom Eileen
003for being here today for those of you who don't know me my name is Sydney pabello and we went to high school together seniors it has been a long hard road to to this day the world we live in is plagued with so many dangers zika virus terrorism social media trends facial acne but despite all the odds here we are on our graduation day on August 15th 2016 we all became infected with a viral and terrible disease some of us experienced stage one of this disease during our junior year the strength they showed will live on forever as an inspiration to us all what is this devastating disease you ask senior rtis for all the younger kids in the audience believe me when I say it will hit you harder than ever in your last
004two weeks for all the adults in the audience you know this to be true don't lie to yourselves looking at you dad I had to give both my parents a quick shout out I'll be 18 in about a week so they can legally kick me out of the house house but seriously we really are a one-of-a-kind class just look at everything we've survived over our short 18 years in the words of William Shakespeare and the great Channing Tatum some are born great some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them and we all had greatness thrust upon us as soon as we walked through the front doors of Air Academy four years ago I cannot thank our teachers enough for the constant support they gave us however I think we were a little genetically
005predisposed to be great we are the last senior class to be born in the 1900s we have survived the end of the world not once but twice once in 1999 with Y2K and then again in 2012 when the Mayan calendar ended and the world went crazy in fact they even made a movie about that one while we may be more genetically talented than future senior classes we cannot always count on being born great or having greatness thrust upon us we must always choose to achieve greatness in everything we do I think the best representation of us is our class of 2017 Facebook page to put it nicely I've never seen a more passionate group of people in my life I think we've spent more time planning a senior skip day than actually skipping not to
006mention our very poorly constructed senior prank although it was hard to agree on anything I think that shows the true character of our class we will never be afraid to speak our minds we will never back down in the face of adversity and we will always consider every single option before making our final decision truly the world isn't ready for the mean green class of 2017 I am immensely excited to see how we change the world it has been an honor to serve as your student body president and I wish you all the best in whatever you choose to do congratulations class of 2017 we did it thank you Sydney it is my honor now to introduce the dignitaries that are joining us on stage first of all my administrative team team Mr soon toe
007Dr Mark walstrom Mr sha [Applause] witson Dr Jim Smith Deputy where's Dr Smith Deputy super or ad assistant superintendent for administrative Services Deputy superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Mr Tom Gregory the Board of Education Colonel Troy Harding usafa liaison Mrs Linda Van Mater director Mrs Katherine bulock director Mr Larry Borland treasurer [Applause] Mrs Tracy Johnson vice president and our board president Mr Glenn stre and finally it is my great honor to introduce our next speaker superintendent of Academy School District 20 Dr Mark hatchel thank you very much it is very exciting to be at Academy's graduation excuse me I gra u i student taught here I think it's about 35 years ago so it's always great to be at Air Academy this morning I was at my breakfast table and and I was starting to
008write my speech and I was talking to my daughter Riley and I said Riley I said what should I talk about and she said well perhaps you should talk about the importance of planning ahead let me first say on behalf of my bosses the academy 20 Board of Education congratulations to the class of 2017 I want to I want to personally thank Andrew buer who has been on my student advisory committee for the last two years you know it's amazing how fast time flies it seems like just yesterday I was watching Mitchell Shaw played 13u Club baseball his hair was big hair and I think the bat was almost bigger than him now he's all grown up ready to go to college it is amazing how fast time flies by now these are exciting times
009but also times of great change and I always smile to myself when I hear student say the struggle is real whether it's having to be at school at 7:45 a.m. or having to do homework or not knowing someone's cell phone number I've heard that phrase the struggle is real I once had a student tell me you don't understand how real the struggle is because you're not that young and you probably don't even text now let me tell you about when the struggle was real when I was in high school do you know back then if we wanted to change the channel in the TV you had to get up and actually change the dial to change the channel in my day high definition was getting the rabbit ears just right we didn't have two 200
010channels we had three and PBS which didn't really count the struggle was real and you're not going to believe this our parents made us walk or ride our bikes to school I didn't have a PlayStation 4 with highdefinition Graphics realistic audio and vibrating wireless remote we had Monopoly I didn't have streaming music either we had eight track tapes and let me tell you it wasn't easy to find just the right color leisure suit to match your dates dress and a disco dance in platform shoes the struggle was real to drive you had to learn how to use a clutch and stick shift and to ski you had to go up the mountain holding on for dear life to a Tea Bar and we didn't have a nice superintendent we we went to school whether they
011were 4 in 5 in 6 in 14 in of snow as a matter of fact I never got a snow day my entire time in high school and I went to school right here in Colorado Springs the struggle was real now luckily that superintendent there was no emailing back then because unlike me he doesn't get 50 plus emails every time it snows that may have changed things just a little bit and there were no fine my friend apps parents kept track of us by calling their friends now trust me on this one that was rough especially if you were like me and your dad was a principal and your mom was a teacher the struggle was real now in all seriousness I think I know and understand many of your challenges you live in a
012complex interconnected world that never rests but I do want to share with you the challenges of a man I knew named Mr Joseph Shimp Mr Shimp lived in Whitefield where I grew up it is the land of retired military four good friends of mine's dads were in the military two of those dads were immigrants and two were African-American and their families were from poor areas in the rural South now lost in the history books is the importance of the military for folks like that last January on a very cold Saturday morning I went to the funeral for Mr Shimp on and he is one of those true American her Heroes he was of German descent and was born in the Ukraine in the late 1930s about that time World War Two Broke out his family
013was welltoo Farmers Russia told all Germans to leave or they would be sent to a concentration camp in Siberia one of his uncles was found and sent there that's when his family decided to leave they quickly left the Ukraine on foot with one horse pulling a wagon with all of their belongings they went to Poland for about a year the fighting was so Fierce there they decided to leave for Germany a bridge they crossed into Germany was blown up the next day they survived World War II and boarded a boat for the United States and landed in 1952 in New York City young Joseph didn't know the language he struggled in school and was too proud to ask for help he dropped out at the age of 16 he went to work in a steel
014factory Joseph listed enlisted in the Air Force when he was old enough to do so he married a pretty lady from Texas he was sent to Vietnam during the war there and experienced a second round of War he rose to the rank of tech sergeant then he retired in Whitefield where he raised four boys one of them Joe a good friend of mine and he was an honor to his country and his family now for Mr Shimp the struggle was real my hope my wish my prayer for each of you is no matter the challenges you face small like mine or great like Mr shimps who endure death and destruction all around him during his childhood you will have the strength and confidence to meet the challenges you will encounter to not only survive but
015to thrive and know while you will face challenges face them with the resilience of those that came before us like Mr Joseph Shimp on behalf of Academy District 20 and it's nearly 29,000 staff and students I wish upon each of you all the good fortune in the world God bless thank you so much Dr hatchel for your inspirational words at this time I would like to welcome to the stage Nathaniel Brittain Caitlyn concade and Kayla misseri for a special musical presentation for [Music] yeah sometimes I lay under the moon and than God I'm breathing and then I pray don't take me soon cuz I'm here for reason sometimes in my my tears I drown but I never let it get me down so when negativity surrounds I know somay this will all turn around because
016all my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for for the people to say that we don't want to fight no more and there'll be no more Wars and our children will play one day one day one day day one day one day one day one day it's not about win or lose we all lose when they feed on The Souls of the innocent blood pav keep on moving though the world is still raging well in this maze you can lose your way he it might drive you crazy but don't let it get in your way no way sometimes in my tears I drown I drown I'll never let it get me down so when negativity surrounds I know someday this will all turn around because all my life I've been waiting for I've
017been praying for for the people to say that we don't want to find no more and there'll be no more Wars and our children will play one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day Som day the all will change people the same so stop with the violence down with the hey one day we'll all be free and proud to be under the same Sun sings of Freedom like sometimes in my tears I drown never let it get me done so when negativity surround I know somay this will all turn around because all my life I've been waiting for I've been pray for the people to say that we don't want to fight no more and there'll be no more Wars and our children will play one day
018one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one one day one day one day [Music] [Applause] outstanding job one more round of applause [Applause] please at er Academy High School we have a long tradition of academic excellence and so we choose one speaker to represent the sumacum loud graduates which are our highest ranking graduates and this year I am pleased to announce that that speaker is a representation of this class in general a tremendous athlete an outstanding scholar he gr he's graduating with a 4.8 GPA which is amazing and just an all-around outstanding young man so it is my sincere pleasure to introduce our sumacum loud speaker Andrew buer all right hey guys so before I begin I'd like to say thank you to uh everyone here to all
019uh teachers administrators and family members thank you we couldn't have made it without you and also I'd like to say graas and of course to Dr hatchel over here uh on behalf of the class of 2017 I apologize for all the insensitive tweets asking for snow days you you might be getting a few more today but really this day is all about us right can you believe that it has been 3 years and 9 months since all us freshmen walked into that Maze of a school for the first time that's 20% of our lives so far and I bet to some of you it has seemed like a whole lot more yet in 10 years it will have only been 133% of Our Lives by the time we're 40 less than 10 scien claim that
020we experience time relative to how long we've been alive a year is a long time when you've only been alive for one year when you're 90 a year is just a blip in your life story so does that mean that each passing moment is less important than the last in 70 years will high school mean next to nothing I don't think so all moments are not created equal I don't think we'll ever again witness state championships in basketball and soccer in the same year no less or a marching band Dynasty that I heard should have won again this year sorry all you Liberty fans we have had individual state champions and National qualifiers in a broad spectrum of disciplines we have had classes with top tier athletes extraordinary speakers math geniuses compassionate volunteers and exceptional
021artists we have forged friendships that thanks to social media will be with us forever forever I'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not that's a good thing these are the experiences we carry with us for a lifetime of course I can't Overlook the world-class education that has been provided to us I mean that's why we go to school well most of us whether you have liked it or not you have been prepared for whatever your next step is for many that means college for others that means the military or the workforce whatever your calling is I truly believe believe that Air Academy has given you the social and intellectual skills to thrive so back to my little theory on time when we're all old and hopefully happy High School will not have
022just been another 5% of Our Lives becoming more and more meaningless as time goes on no high school is constituted of many of life's most important moments and Air Academy has given us all we could ask for and then some now I'm not saying that we should all just give up because we we' experienced those most important years and I know many of us might be tempted to We Can't be complacent Air Academy has given us the skills to go out and make memories to make a difference so I would argue that each passing moment is actually just a little more important than the last our time is limited and we must have the courage to make the most of it so I know that many of you are anxious to get your diplomas and
023get out right I mean I mean I don't blame you I am too but if you would indulge me just for this last little piece I'd like to conclude by paraphrasing a story by Lauren isy which has changed my perspective on life once there was an old man walking along a beach recently there had been a big flood and thousands upon thousands of starfish had washed the shore one by one he picked them up and toss them back into the ocean saving their lives someone walked up to him and said old man there are too many starfish on this beach you can't possibly hope to make a difference bending over the old man put another starfish into the water and said I made a difference to that one don't be afraid to go out and
024make a difference make every moment more important than the last and like the starfish man never give up you can always change someone's life we all have the skills the passion the desire to make a difference I've seen it and everyone I've talked to in my time at Air Academy with you guys you all have made 20% of my life feel like much much more so thank you all not just for the amazing things you have already done but for the world changing ones you will undoubtedly do class of 2017 we did it yet I believe we're just getting started thank you outstanding job Andrew at this time I would like to present to the stage our award-winning choir out of the blue under the direction of Miss Paula Bach please welcome out of the
025[Applause] blue for [Music] you and I'll you all about it when I see you again we've come a long way from where we began again oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again when I see you [Music] again every I'm on my way new friends and new places to see with two SK ahead yes I'm on my way and there's Noh else that I'd rather be tell everybody I'm on my way and I'm loving every step I take the sun beaming down yes I'm on my way and I can't keep this smile off my face there's and like seeing each other again no matter what the distance between and the stories that we tell will make you smile oh it really lifs my heart so tell them all I'm on my
026way new friends and new places to and to sleep under the stars who could ask for more with the moon keeping watch over [Music] me no matter the distance between and the feeling of the winds in your face can lift your heart oh there's nowhere I'd rather be CU I'm on my way now well and Tru I'm on my way now I'm on my way I'm on on my way I'm on my way I'm on my I'm on my way now on my on my way I'm on my way I'm on on my way on my way I'm on my I'm on my way now on the way on my way on the way on my way on the way on my way on the way on my way on the way on my way
027tell everybody I'm on my way and I just can't wait to be there blue skies ahead yes I'm on my way with nothing but good times to share so tell everybody I'm on my way and I just can't wait to be home with the sun beaten down yes I'm on my my way with nothing but good times to show I'm on my [Music] way yes I'm on my way outstanding job our next speaker has become quite famous around the front office as he has been our um daily announcement voice for the past two years but a quick story about Mitchell last year he brought in a ginormous coffee mug that that he has dad had to play a joke on Mr walstrom who's a notorious coffee addict and he left it in the front office
028and Miss Esmond one of our front office secretaries took it and he was looking all over for it and nobody said where it was and all of a sudden these photos started to turn up with this coffee mug in various places throughout the building outside different locations around town and it drove him crazy and I don't think until now he knew who actually did that it was Miss Esmond Mitchell so he had a lot of fun with that but with no further Ado it is my great pleasure to for the last time um present to you the voice of the cadet Mr Mitchell Shaw [Applause] good morning class of 2017 distinguished guests family members and close friends a Academy High School and its faculty welcome you to CL Arena to celebrate the accomplishments and outstanding
029accolades of all the individuals sitting before us today is May 18th 2017 it is currently 42 degrees outside mostly cloudy a 100% chance of rain or snow 86% humidity and an 8 mph wind coming from the north all right Cadet it is that time of the day again however this time is a little different what I'm about to read to you are your very last daily announcements of your high school career today is the day that we as a graduating class have anticipated through hundreds of tweets thousands of Snapchats and the countdown of days with one of your senior year pictures on Instagram class of 2017 today we celebrate our triumphs that we have accomplished together such as winning both our homecoming and senior night football games this past year we also reflect on the
030various setbacks that have helped to strengthen our mindset and determination pushing us to further grow and become come closer together ladies and gentlemen this brings us to our first daily announcement life is full of challenges and adversity life is centered upon how you overcome failure everyone here today has failed at some point in their lives and we have absolutely no control over it the only control that you do have is measured by your resp response to those adversities we have all met various types of struggles headon fought through them and grown closer together as a result of our actions taken August 20th 2013 it was our first day of freshman year with the rest of the entire student body sophomores Juniors and the unmistakable sea of red tank tops that resembled horror power and complete
031Supremacy within the high school realm this was of course the intimidating senior class at this particular moment we did not know exactly who we were we were not exactly sure where everyone came from prior to this day or where they even grew up Brian Johnson from the movie The Breakfast Club said it best what we found out is that each one of us is a brain and an athlete and a basket case a princess and a criminal however as freshman of this established culture we quickly discovered that our marching band was decent okay they were really good and our mascot was a mythical baby bird that we would never truly understand the full meaning of in relation to our school we became a community comprised of individuals this brings us to our second daily announcement
032class of 2017 life is hard sometimes it will knock you down and test your ability to get back up but remember always push through the struggle and demand persistence from yourself the green curse September 30th 2015 and then once again October 19th 2016 the class of 2017 is defeated in the annual Powderpuff game during homecoming week the green curse these two nights carry much heartache for everyone sitting before me and some individuals here may even block out these daunting memories both nights both years we lost our Powderpuff Games first to seniors and then to juniors in our kadom which still consists of no actual Dome covering the stinking green curse while a defeat causes much sorrow and grief more importantly we Face both difficulty and hardship headon and we're were forced to find a way
033to be victorious it took time to recover but in the end every person got back up and promised each other that we would never lose a single event or activity to an opposing class again to this day we have done just that this brings us to our third daily announcement the class of 2017 has overcome adversity with great resilience and dedication we have continued to grow closer together over these past four years and have left a legacy of leadership within each of our extracurricular activities and clubs ladies and gentlemen look around you have all developed into high achieving leaders of character and your impact on Air Academy has been immeasurable as students of this particular generation we have seen a lot of changes amongst both our school and the world around us including three different
034academic schedules a loss of Academy time what is that about natural disasters within our city and Global catastrophes that shocked the nation we have failed and we have most certainly prevailed through some of the hardest times we faced over the course of our four years together we have remained strong but more importantly a Academy strong all right Cadence take out a pen or pencil and a piece of paper it is time for your very last ever riddle of the day I can be more powerful than your mind more evil than disease poor people have me the rich do everything they can to avoid me I can make you or break you the choice is yours what am I the answer to this riddle is adversity adversity is something that everyone experiences and struggles with throughout
035the course of their lives but it is often within this adversity that success is born and Triumph is ultimately achieved ladies and gentlemen this brings us to our fourth and final daily announcement no matter where your life takes you from here or the challenges that you will face throughout the remainder of your lifetime you will forever and always be a part of the cadet family of the class of 2017 congratulations to everyone sitting before me today it truly has been quite the journey ladies and gentlemen this concludes your very last daily announcements of your high school career thank you great job Mitchell about Monday night when the weather forecast started to come in the High School principles we all started texting each other what are we going to do if it's a huge snowstorm do
036you think Dr hatchel is going to postpone or or change graduation luckily the snowstorm wasn't terrible so Dr hatchel thank you for no snow delay today we're really excited to get this this thing going congratulations class of 2017 you made it your efforts and perseverance have paid off in this tremendous accomplishment as you celebrate it is important to recognize those who have helped you along the way your parents Guardians and family have spent countless hours driving you to school helping with homework attending your events your activities your games your concerts you wouldn't be here without their unwavering support So graduates please take a moment and give your parents Guardians and family members a sincere Round of [Applause] Applause you have also been supported by amazing teachers and staff members during your time in Academy District
03720 from that first day of kindergarten when your teacher helped tie your shoes and teach you your ABCs to the amazing staff and faculty at Air Academy High School we have all been there for you outstanding teachers such as last year's teacher of the year Miss Heather Scott this year's teacher of the year Miss Chris Robson and the national forensic speech and debate teacher of the year Miss Renee modder outstanding faculty outstanding staff thank you all thank you to your teachers and your staff members for all you have done so graduates and families please give our faculty and staff a round of applause for the support and work they have done to help your students get to where they are today and finally I would like to say a sincere thank you to the military
038families and the military support we have Colonel Dunn thank you for this tremendous venue sincerely appreciate that high schools difficult enough in our military families have the added stress of relocations and deployments thank you all for your service to our country Air Academy High School thanks [Applause] you class of 2017 as we look back at your four years I stand in awe of your accomplishments in four years your class has helped win state championships in girls lacrosse boys soccer boys basketball girls cross country ban for three years color guard for three years robotics has made it to the World Championships are out of the blue choir won the regional championships and performed at National competitions our theater program wowed us with Productions of Pride and Prejudice and into the woods outstanding job in all of
039your endeavors you have also had individual state championships in cross country won by Ethan Powell and Maria metler congratulations to all of you for all of your [Applause] accomplishments you are outstanding athletes you are outstanding musicians you are outstanding artists but more importantly you are outstanding in your academic excellence your academic accomplishments are remarkable 89 out of your graduating class of 346 are graduating with a 4.0 or higher that is [Music] amazing you hear in other school districts and other schools something called grade inflation that is not the way it is when students come to Air Academy High School from out outside of our attendance area outside of the district they have to struggle to keep up so that 4.0 that grade point average that you earned you earned congratulations your academic achievements have been
040rewarded by you being admitted to the top colleges and universities around the nation I could go on and on about the places you're going but just to highlight a few we have two students Julie gobitz and Holly reaping going to MIT [Applause] amazing we have two other students Roman philson and Maria metler that aren't going quite as far as Massachusetts they're staying right here at usafa congratulations they don't have nearly the travel time as our other folks we have people going all over the country and they're going to do their best to represent Air Academy High School in the very best they can congratulations to you all and Dr Bears just yesterday told me that your class get this your class has been awarded 14, 5147 in scholarships that is amazing your parents really appreciate
041that I guarantee you not only have you excelled in academics activities and Athletics but you have proven to be citizens of Great Character and leadership as well I remember just a few weeks ago watching Taran winit at prom with students from her SSN program she made sure that her classmates had an outstanding time and were included in this great event that just shows the character of that young lady we had Julia gobitz and Tory Johnson volunteer their time to create a ballet program for underprivileged children in our community what a fantastic way to give back and to create Community with those children great job earlier this year one of our graduating seniors used the skills he learned in health class to save a woman's life who is in a car accident Justin kiakia showed immediate
042response determination perseverance to help save a woman's life great job Justin and one of the highlights for me in our staff this year was a presentation on our staff development Day by our very own cydney pellico on leadership and the importance that teachers have in the lives of their students and the impact they have great job Sydney [Applause] and just recently another highlight was watching our National Honor Society organize our make a wish week under the leadership of Ethan Powell Zoe Hendricks Jacob Riki biley Rock Taran winit and Taylor Johnson they raised over $6,500 for our wish kid so she can go to Paris for the trip of a lifetime outstanding job I could go on and on and on but graduation isn't just about recognizing your accomplishments it's about looking forward it's about being
043prepared to take those next steps in your life your class is full of smart talented compassionate leaders who are going to go on and do amazing things as you you take your first steps into adulthood I encourage you to continue to lead be the ones who cure cancer land a person on Mars lead our Armed Forces make beautiful music write poetry continue to be amazing continue to be a Cadet congratulations class of 2017 [Applause] class of 2017 please [Applause] rise Dr [Applause] hatchel Mrs Van Mater I certify that the graduating class of a Academy High School has satisfied All State and District requirements for graduation it is my sincere honor to present to you the graduating class of [Applause] 2017 on behalf of the Academy District 20 Board of Education I accept with pride and
044pleasure the academy the Air Academy High School graduating class of 2017 Mr Olen thank you your faculty and your staff for an outstanding job if you will be seated for just a moment thank you good morning class of 2017 I know the moment has finally arrived you're very excited you're graduating you know this is my last year on the board of education so in a way I'm graduating with you I'm sure you've learned a lot since kindergarten things like how to zip your jacket and stand in line the use of cliff notes to analyze literature and how to navigate traffic so you could leave campus for lunch and make it back in time for your next class like you I have also learned many important things in Academy 20 such as the board of education
045does not call snow days and how to yawn with my mouth closed however in addition to the important life skills you have acquired your educ education has also been about athletic artistic and academic Endeavors and by all accounts you are extremely successful at those things too we are proud of you and I have no doubt you will find new and greater paths to future success however as you prepare to enter a new world of opportunity and all it offers my advice for you is to avoid confusing success with significance you may wonder what I mean by that years before you were born back in the dark ages in 1993 Charles Barkley now a well-known NBA analyst was at the height of his career as a basketball star in an effort to demonstrate his singular dedication
046to the game Sir Charles proudly proclaimed in a Nike advertisement I am not a role model your parents and teachers and those of us of a certain age May Remember The Firestorm of criticism prompted by that statement and the vigorous debate it sparked about the moral obligations of athletes and celebrities unfortunately there are still many people today who believe they have no responsibility to be a role model unless they choose it but I believe they are wrong we are all role models of some sort none of us really has a choice in the matter so I ask as you prepare to leave here today not will you be a role model model but what kind of role model will you be no matter how successful you become will you choose to lead a life of
047significance some of you may be thinking if I'm not successful how can I be significant according to author and Speaker John Maxwell it is simpler than you think he said when you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others you begin to live a life that matters in other words contrary to popular opinion you do not need a platform a microphone or a position with an impressive title to live a life of significance you do not need to be trending on social media or have a huge number of likes or retweets to make an impact you simply need to decide what kind of role model you want to be and live it I have recently been befriended by an amazing inspiring woman her name is Evelyn Evelyn lives
048in a log home in Black Forest on May 6th she celebrated her 99th birthday due to spinal degeneration she is essentially homebound spending most of her days in a comfortable chair you might think Evelyn is sitting in her home waiting for the day she takes her last breath but that couldn't be further from the truth she arises every day with purpose she looks forward to the future and is unfailingly Pleasant Evelyn is an author and to playright who was recently published at age 98 in a national magazine she is a trained nurse who spent years working raising her children and building her church through works of Charity Evelyn regularly educates herself with the help of her caretakers and the internet yes I said the internet she is knowledgeable and passionate about scientific advancements which could
049improve the lives of people in the future she does not have much money left but she continues to interact with and Inspire others Evelyn is neither rich nor famous but she is very influential in her community hundreds of friends and family honored her throughout her birthday weekend not because she is successful by the world standards but because she chose long ago to be a great Mo role model to live a life of significance through service and she has never stopped trying to make the world a better place at age 99 Evelyn is still leading still living a life of significance from her chair she remains an incredible role model for how to live life to its fullest when you leave here today what kind of life will you choose to live will you spread joy
050and warmth will you use your education to help others will you help those who haven't had the opportunities you've had will you choose to lead a life of significance whether your position is one of wealth or modest means whether life leaves you sitting or standing I ask you who will visit you on your 99th birthday in other words what kind of role model will you be congratulations Eric Academy High School class of 2017 I wish you many future successes but above all I wish you a life of true significance thank you at this time we'll prepare to start handing out [Music] [Applause] diplomas e e say that we're doing I go ahead and do it Matthew Tyson Dunn Ariel Gabrielle abler Miller Melanie Taylor [Music] BMA Dylan Darren ad [Applause] Abigail Gertrude bone Angelica Raven
051aliman Carlos miodrag boto kalista Marie amoruso thank you Charles Joseph [Applause] Bole Ashley Lis Anderson Quinn Aaron bracie Shannon Christine Andrew Joshua David [Applause] Bradford Joshua Tobias apar Ena diet [Applause] brass Dante Xavier aruri Eden Elizabeth brazzo Christopher Anthony armo Ash Ryan [Applause] Brewster Paco Alejandro Alis Nathan Olaf Brit Sierra honami ball Nathaniel Spencer Briton Emily Rose Binger Andrew Scott brusher Matthew Joseph almanzor Barella an Marie burn Sophia Maria barnhard Joselyn Tate burrow all right Emily Sarah beache Taylor Kira Elise Kama [Applause] valoria Giana Clarissa Alexis bent Holden Paul Copus Corbin Gage Berg Isaiah Edward Cordo Avery Jane cono Samuel John KGAN Nicholas Alberto caranza Cheyenne Nicole Crum Jack Ryan Carson Brian Phillip Kubo Marshall William casear Aaliyah Marcela Culver Lindsay opilia seya Katherine Allison [Applause] dalzelle Kyle George chassis Kaden Patricia dangond Nicholas Robert
052[Music] chappie Ashley Michelle Daniels Justin Robert kiakia Tristan James danar Nicholas Justin Robert tiaka Carol Noel deaf fente dufrain Nathan Michael Clark nicolino Ray Del Panton Spencer harrian close Dante Spencer delacro Shon odet Lila Anna compac Paris Maxine doing Harmon Louise Conrad Casey Lynn dicki Aaron Robert cook Elijah David Dixon Camden Hunter cook Aaron James [Applause] Donis Grace Anna fiser Graham Thomas [Applause] Doran Shan Connor Fitzy Lydia Grace Draper Daniel Anthony Flores Hunter dowy Ethan Andrew formanek Joshua Matthew duten Nikos morai founders [Applause] [Music] okay yuana Diana [Applause] dumitru Anastasia Marie Franks Caleb James Durham Mark George Fredericks Seth Richard Dustin Molly Claire freudenberg Canyon Kelly e William Clayborn Frick Dylan Lee eer Julia Ray fredman Christian jerck Eden Joseph rley [Music] gimer Julia Christine [Applause] Elbert Matthew Douglas [Applause] Gandy Katherine May Elder Riley
053Gardner Anna Elizabeth Ellis jel Samina Adriana Garo Abigail Hollis frell Clayton James Garland jeeva elhani Caitlyn [Applause] gagos Noah Xavier Escalante Jackson Henry Garner Zoe Olivia [Applause] [Music] hris Bailey Kristen [Applause] Garrett Samantha Kate Hennings Megan McKenzie King Rees Robert Henrik Ireland Rose [Applause] Garrett Tristan C herburger Sam Caleb Samuel Garza Samuel George Hess Michael Julia Kristen [Applause] gitz Michael Paul Hicks II [Applause] [Music] Kaylee Rose gek Andrew Elijah [Applause] heaser Riley and Gillespie Maris Vincent Hill congrats Evan Michael Gil Martin Caleb James holdeman Skyler Ashton Galler Samantha Marie [Applause] Holstein Catherine and Grady Nicole Renee horn Shan Gregor Alexandria Marie [Applause] hornsey Emily Jane Griffith Nathan Thomas Hughes Paul Zachary [Applause] Groff Avery Isabella holgren Thomas David [Music] Grove Samuel Robert Huntington Lucy an [Applause] Gerson Dunning deasy delas Disraeli Idol I [Applause] 6
054Isabella Diane ginski [Applause] Kennedy Savannah [Applause] Jameson Aaliyah shantara [Applause] Gunter Jacob Reed Gerald Zachary Austin Chang hammer [Applause] Warren Grayson [Music] kosi Noah William [Applause] Harris Matthew Austin [Music] [Applause] kth Morgan Renee [Music] [Applause] Hartman Brandon Daniel [Applause] Curts Dallas Tory hatch Cassidy Michelle lauff Emma Dorothy heiney Cameron Christian lberto JIA an [Music] Henderson Nico Carl Landon Katie Sharon [Applause] Henderson Brooke Talon langmaid Gabriella Carolina Johnson Alexander James Caleb [Applause] Lawrence Kai James Johnson Ian Thomas Lou Victoria Lynn [Music] Johnson Jenna Elizabeth Lewis Taylor Lynn [Applause] Johnston Benjamin Ashton Lily Benjamin Matthew Jones Aaron Lindsay Lacy an Jones [Applause] Sky Ian lorelle Elizabeth Grace Jorgenson Mia Molina Loft Michelle Lynn Jorgenson Timothy David lovewell Rachel Laura [Applause] Jorgenson Brandon Michael Lucero Ryland Robert Cammer Stella Leilani Mafi chloey Ariana cander elen Ura anal Salo
055Jasmine Diane [Music] Kar meline Rose [Applause] Stevenson Helen krali Maria Christine [Music] [Applause] metler Ellie young [Applause] [Music] Kim Briana arriel [Applause] [Music] miles Caitlyn Elizabeth cancade Hannah Louis Milas Brena Elizabeth [Applause] Knight Cole Harvey Miller Brendan Joseph [Applause] canop Daniel Alden Miller [Applause] isan [Applause] coar Trisha Monique Jimenez [Applause] Miller Brianna Marie Malloy Jessica Lynn Mills Barrett Allan Malone [Applause] [Music] where's your card Kayla Rose [Applause] Moser Thomas Morgan [Applause] Malone Brandon Cole Montalvo Megan Taylor [Applause] man Chase Channing Moore Hannah Karin [Applause] manweller Eric Marquette Motley [Applause] II Benjamin Hardin [Applause] markworth Christian Thomas [Applause] Mueller Steven Douglas [Applause] Martins Reese Isabella [Applause] Moulder Brooke McKenzie [Applause] Matthews Aiden James Murphy Andrew Davis mclen [Applause] McKenna Janelle [Applause] mustard Caitlyn Marie [Applause] mccubbin guy Quinton [Applause] ner Jordan Diane mccubbin [Applause] Cody Keegan
056Nelson Liam Francis Maguire Samantha Reed Newville Joshua Jonathan Edwin [Applause] McIntosh Melissa Jean nichel Joseph Scott [Applause] McKenzie tiia Alejandra [Applause] nevas Samantha an [Applause] McKenzie Roman theodosius Tristan Adrien philson Michael Alexander [Applause] me Aiden George pasentine [Applause] Allison Sage McGary Monica Anna petki [Applause] Jane ketta merer Mary Suzanne [Music] [Applause] pson oan Leif Olan [Applause] Daniela Brienne Porter Austin Jeremiah [Applause] AER Ian Edward [Applause] Rainey Anna Claire osterhouse [Applause] Jeremiah ran [Applause] Ratliff Stephan James Orton urbina Dylan Patrick Raley Chandler Paul [Applause] Osborne Jacob Michael [Applause] Riki Angela margorie Ostro I hope I don't cry Ethan James [Applause] Powell David Gregory [Applause] paa Catherine an Ray Harrison Scott param Morgan Lane [Applause] Ry Sydney Grace pellico and Elizabeth [Applause] [Music] Roberts Rachel Helen pillo [Applause] [Music] Elana Sharice Salter Matthew Dennis [Music] Parker Colin
057Andrew Sanders Allison Lauren Parks William Lyle Sanders [Applause] Emily Michelle [Applause] Patterson Natalie [Applause] sanis Zachary Thomas [Music] Paul Ryan William [Applause] sanis Isaiah Samuel [Music] Paxton Anna K [Applause] Sawyer Ryan Nathaniel Pendleton Ross Allen [Applause] schaer Jared Robert paragini [Applause] Jessica Faith schwank Trevor Preston [Music] perky Braden Eric [Music] [Applause] schweiter Katarina an [Applause] peruka Daniel Jordan schwanky [Applause] Jeffrey Patrick Richards Mitchell Douglas [Applause] Shaw Justin Thomas Richardson Daren Daniel seal Holly an reaping [Applause] Trenton mitsugi shimar David Michael renan Brendan Scott scholen Boger Bailey Elise Rock Marsha Elizabeth shanka [Applause] Nicole and Marie Rodriguez Rachel Lauren savinski Aubrey Marie [Music] romis Madison Nicole [Applause] seon Payton McKenna Rines [Music] [Applause] Abigail Betty Smith Jenny Jenny Lynn Rose Joelle Marie Robin Smith Aspen Audrey Renee Risa Skyler Daniel smoker [Applause] Joanna Ray spratty Isabella
058Danielle tro Jillian Angelique springmier Nicholas Brian unel Allison K Stanley [Music] Sydney Rebecca Valentine carsten Matias ston Lillian juel Valenzuela Ashley Elise steel Julia Renee valard Cheyenne Lana Styer James Frederick verendi Foley Brian [Applause] Stokes Aaron Christopher vido Ryan Michael stoltenberg Benjamin Michael vogen Olivia Taylor Storer [Applause] Huck Taylor volmar Jasmine Nicole story Cameron Valdez Brooke coren sski Megan Elise Wade Christopher Ryan tanel [Applause] Danielle Renee Waller Tanner Jacob Tasker Nicholas Neil Weber Hannah Grace tassler Eliana Diane Whitaker Jared Patterson Taylor Bryce Cameron white David Michael manuel tuso Zena Marie Gabrielle Williams Elijah Leah alen [Music] thery Leroy Dwayne Wilson III Ian Patrick Thomas Taran Joy [Applause] winit Tyler Brandon [Applause] Thomas Alexander Charles wood Audrey an Thompson Tyler Brian Woodward Nicole noo [Applause] Thompson Shelby Marie wz Sarah Nicole [Music] Thurman ke Anna Marie
059[Applause] timson Alexandra sah [Applause] [Music] toui Katie Renee Torres [Applause] you [Music] [Applause] [Music] down all right first I would like to give a huge thanks to all the staff and administration of Air Academy and District 20 for organizing such a wonderful event I would also like to make a huge thanks to the friends and family for being here and to the Air Force Academy for providing the CL Arena I've thought for countless days how I might end this sucker but let me start off by saying wow it's been a journey but honestly what a genuine experience talk talk a lot about high school and maybe not so much musical seniors of Air Academy welcome to the start of a new beginning a new life we spent to we spent time together growing up making
060friends daring one another and finding our own identity and it should be seen as time well spent some of the dares may have been incredibly stupid but other I think serve a more profound purpose we've dared each other to look beyond our comfort zones dared one another to do things we've always dreamt of doing and darare to make and dare to do what makes us happy but by the end of it all only you can accept a dare before we leave I'd like to dare each and every one of you dare to live Dare To Laugh dare to love and dare to work your butt off and if you remember anything from today remember this once a Cadet always a Cadet I would like to now invite the class of 2017 from Air Academy to
061join me for the Turning of the tassel please stand up [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you everybody for coming that concludes our celebration congratulations the graduates of the class of 2017 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] n [Music] a [Music] [Applause] h [Music] [Applause] [Music] a [Music] all [Applause] [Music] oh [Applause] [Music]