Class of 2020: Clovis West High School

Clovis West High School 2020 Graduation Speech

Speaker: Andrew Rush

Welcome to those friends and family who have gathered to watch the graduation for Clovis West’s Class of 2020. My name is Andrew Rush and I am honored to have the privilege of being able to give the commencement speech for the Class of 2020.

Seniors, I understand that this is not the way we wanted to finish our final year. Everyone has been affected by this pandemic - some of us know people directly affected, some of us lost our last sports season, we lost prom, and we weren’t able to make memories with our friends that would have lasted us a lifetime.

However, what we have learned in these last few months, took our parents and others years to master. We learned how to persevere, to become adaptable, to not shy away in the face of adversity - to simply put it, Class of 2020, we are special, we are resilient. Take away these lessons and carry them with you to make a difference not only in your life, but in others. Class of 2020, we are unstoppable, we are unbreakable, we are undefinable.

In 2016, we all entered high school with a dream. Everyone one of us had a different dream, for some of us it was hoping it would be better than those awkward years in middle school, a dream to become a division one athlete, a dream to get into a certain college, or maybe to be the first in your family to graduate high school.

No matter what that dream was, no matter whether or not you accomplished that dream, it matters no more. Because now you can dream again. You no longer have to dream about fitting in, being popular, or being seen.

You’re free to dream. So, let your dreams keep you up at night and your goals wake you up in the morning. Let your dreams carry you to new heights.

When I ask you to dream, it’s because our futures are not the same as they used to be. We are no longer worried about who to take to prom, our next math test, or our crush. Dream who you are supposed to be.

We are tasked with the uncharted maps of our customizable future. We have the privilege to make a change, to become the world changers, the dream chasers, become the innovators, and policy-makers. Because now, Class of 2020, it is time for us to dream again.

We are about to embark on a pivotal time in our lives, our passage into adulthood. All of us are going to take different paths in life, but no matter where you go, or what you do, choose to dream. Dream the inconceivable and the unbelievable. So, dream with tenacity, and to full capacity.

I challenge you, Class of 2020 to think creatively, innovatively, critically, and independently. Because in today’s day and age our generation can pull opportunity from every and anywhere. We can be anything we dream — the next generation of teachers, or preachers, or even doctors and authors.

All of us have a talent. Some of you have patience, love, wisdom, or kindness. Whatever your gift is, how are you going to use it to impact the world? Some of us are natural at math, eloquent with words, some of us are good at making people laugh and smile, and others, gifted artists. What does the world need that your talent will provide?

Seniors, we may not make up our entire community, but we are 100% the future, with twice the opportunity.

So dare to dream. And do not let failure hold you back, because to get something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. You must dream larger than ever before, you must push yourself harder than ever before. As quoted, “do not let success get to your head, and do not let failure get to your heart.” Class of 2020, strive for greatness, and nothing less.

Here’s the thing, every graduate that I have the privilege of speaking to, has the talent to succeed. Nothing is guaranteed, you must conceive your goals and plan out your dreams to achieve. See and reach for dreams that you can’t see for yourself. Let your passion meet your compassion. Never forget that we are all twigs and branches of different, shapes, sizes, and colors from different trees intertwined in an eagle’s nest. The fact that we are all the same yet uniquely different, is not to be taken lightly. And our Class of 2020 is getting ready to fly for the first time, so let’s spread our wings widely.

Class of 2020: dream, time and time again. We must learn from the past, live in the present, and dream for the future. Make your story one full of greatness, generosity, and goodness. Make your story worth remembering, and blaze a path for others to follow for years to come. And never forget that we are more than just special. We are unstoppable, we are unbreakable and we are undefinable! Class of 2020, I welcome you into the world full of endless opportunity.

This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.