|
 |
||||||||
 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
 |
|
On June 8, 2008, alumna, Dr. Lara Salamacha '86 addressed the graduating Class of 2008. Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated. ~Garry Trudeau
When I initially accepted the invitation to speak at Connelly's graduation, I recalled the advice of a friend of mine, who happens to be a very popular priest. He told me: "whatever must be said, it must be said within 7 minutes." It is a tall order to congratulate, celebrate and inspire 82 unique women in this brief time, so here we go.
Of course, when Sr. Francine and Mrs. Carlberg contacted me about speaking here today it brought back memories of a day exactly 22 years ago, when I was wearing white and baking in the sunshine. It was with some sense of irony that I ultimately agreed, since my graduation was the year that the valedictory address (which I had been anticipating with a mixture of excitement and dread) was replaced by the class president's address. This must be Connelly's way of ensuring that I not get away without performing my public speaking obligation.
As I tired to recall some of the wisdom dispensed on my enthusiastic young ears by our graduation speaker, it dawned on me that I could not even recall who our speaker had been! So for those of you already drifting off to thoughts of the beach party later this evening, it is your day and you have earned that right.
If there was but one thought for you to walk away with, tucked in amidst your roses and cards, it is this: follow the interests (both academic and social) about which you are passionate, and doors will open for you just when you need them most.
In the concise words of Confucius: Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
The key to being able to take advantage of the strange and wonderful scenarios that arise is two-fold: first you must keep your options open, so that you are prepared for these opportunities and second, you must be willing to say "yes" and plunge into an adventure when it presents itself. For it is easy to stay within our comfort zones, and much scarier, yet infinitely more fulfilling to risk the unknown.
Sister Francine asked that I share a few examples of how being prepared and willing to try something new have led to interesting experiences in my life. At Stanford I majored in mechanical engineering, because I am a physics geek, but I also completed my pre-med requirements, allowing me to keep that option open. Mere weeks before graduation, when I was beginning to think that I would just continue to graduate school, NASA called with an offer to lead a design team and pay me a salary to while I earned my Master's degree. From there, doors opened to medical school and residencies in orthopedics and sports medicine.
One cold and dreary February night in an especially dark moment of my surgical residency, a friend called to ask me if I wanted to lead an adventure group to the Canadian Arctic to photograph the Aurora Borealis. "Of course," was my too eager response, when presented with the prospect of escaping the hospital for a couple weeks. "Perfect," was his reply, "because I told them you were a pro at astronomy, photography and skiing and that you would be our medic in an emergency...; by the way, how are you with a dogsled?" That is how I found myself snowshoeing and mushing dogs across the arctic tundra by day and photographing spectacular displays of northern lights in -30 degree temperatures all night.
After surviving 4 years of medical school and 6 years of residency, it was time to get married. While most people go somewhere tropical like
Obviously, one of my great passions is adventure travel, and I have been fortunate to have family support for some of the more ambitious experiences. The day after I took the first part of my medical boards, my Dad and I began hiking the John Muir Trail, the first of our month long backpacking trips in the Sierra. When I announced that I would be bicycling from
One evening, while sketching out my thoughts about this talk under a clear moon-filled sky, I thought about the challenges faced by the parents today as they watch their lovely young daughters blossom and prepare to launch into a new chapter. As the mother of a one year old boy and a nearly 4 year old girl, it is easy for me to imagine the pride and love you must feel for these women before you. But it suddenly dawned on me that there must be a taste of the bittersweet as well, for many of your children will be going away to school next year, taking the first large step towards independence. These are the same daughters you rocked to sleep, taught to read and roller-skate, helped with history or math homework, and drove to thousands of activities. There is a quote by Hodding Carter that adorned my mother's bulletin board until it recently migrated to mine, which sums it up nicely: "There are only two lasting bequeaths we can hope to give our children, one of these is roots, the other, wings." So families, give yourselves a big pat on the back for bequeathing both gifts to these women before you, for they have the tools to do great things thanks to your strong foundation.
And graduates, give your families an extra-tight hug today, because they will miss you next fall as you start your exciting college adventures.
In the spirit of David Letterman here are the top six pieces of graduation wisdom from famous and insightful people:
5. Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
~ Henry David Thoreau
4. Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
~David Lloyd George
3.
2. Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
1. What we are is our gift from God. What we become is our gift to God.
~Eleanor Powell
And...; 0. (Because at NASA they taught me that it doesn't count unless you go all the way down)
Live as though you would die tomorrow. Learn as though you would live forever.
~Gandhi
Now for the final valediction, a word which literally translates into "words of farewell," (thanks to my 4 years of Latin from Sr. Mary John at Connelly). This was the conclusion of each graduation speech given by President Donald Kennedy, at each Stanford graduation.
"And now as tradition demands, I will send you on your various ways with some words of sentiment - to remind us of the importance of this time together and also to remind you that ties of friendship and remembrance of times past are among the comforts that nourish us in times of change. The words were said nearly 60 years ago at another commencement in another lovely place by Adeli Stevenson:
'Your days are short here; this is last of your springs. And now in the serenity of this lovely place, touch the depths of truth, feel the hem of heaven. You will go away with good friends. And don't forget when you leave why you came.'"
Congratulations to each and every one of you.
Connelly Alumnae whose daughters are current Connelly Students - 2007-2008 Connelly Alumnae who are members of the Connelly Faculty/Staff - 2007-2008
Connelly Cornerstone Connelly Times Alumnae News Cornelia Connelly Cornerstone 2008
For information or to submit your email address: canderson@connellyhs.org Phone (714) 776-1717 Ext. 229 |
|
Welcome to the Connelly High School Alumnae Association page!
