儿子在毕业典礼上的讲话

昨天在六年级的毕业典礼上，儿子作为毕业生的代表作了以下发言。回想起六年前我们刚到美国时，儿子的英语几乎是空白，只认识apple等几个英文单词，然而这些年来的巨大变化，真是令我感慨万千。望着讲台上的儿子，我的感觉可以用Walt Disney 接受奥斯卡颁奖时说的一句话来形容：“幸福得快要爆炸了！”


Today is the accumulation of six years of hard work that, at the end, paid off. When we—the students—arrived here, sometimes from the beginning of kindergarten, sometimes thrust into this strange environment in a later grade, it was a new world. We looked up at the colossal six graders, towering above us, and there was no chance in our minds that we’ll become as strong and smart as them. We look at the teachers that assigned us ever-piling hills and, later, mountains of homework, wondering whether we were going to pass the next test, or the next, or the one after that. And then, suddenly, or so it seems, we’re here. We became the colossal sixth graders we once had to bend our necks to look in the eye. We formed circles of friends with same-minded people, going through every challenging experience with them. These people are never going to be forgotten. Neither will the astounding teachers and volunteers and Brookvale staff and, perhaps most influential, our parents. These people cannot be described anything less than amazing. Who else would hang out with us, explain to us, make sure everything’s going all right behind the scenes, and remind us, sometimes in a very irritating way? Only them. Despite the hardships and blunders that prevail in anyone’s life, we still have them to count on.

My personal career here at Brookvale elementary is an unforgettable experience. I had the misfortune to come here the middle of second grade, missing out on the experience of kindergarten and first grade at Brookvale. It would have been just as astounding as the others. In second grade, with Mrs. Langs as teacher, life reached a new level. Learning and tests were mixed with fun and laughter into the vial of life, and one day I steering a boat. Me, seven years old! Then, coming to 3rd grade with a renewed sense of accomplishment, I entered the classroom of Mrs. Mapelli. One remarkable event was the field trip to the tide pools—a special and extraordinary experience. Then, fourth grade came into the picture—with Mrs. Phillips as teacher. An amazing teacher, she knows how to learn with amusement, laughter with education. I had the luck of getting into Mr. Creed’s class twice in a row, performing wacky and dramatic plays like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Romeo and Juliet. It was apparent that the school administration saved the best for last, because in 6th grade, the field trips were the out of my mind. Science camp—four days in the relative wilderness, compared to our fast-paced and hi-tech life we usually lead. Raging Waters—a field trip to an amusement park during school? Incredible. Between these years of Brookvale, the field trips allowed me to go to places I never imagined, forming friendships with people all the way.

And, now, we look forward, and what do we see? Junior high looming upon us. Is it possible that we are already at this stage? Time flies so quickly, it leaves its image behind, in the form of cherished memories of our life, and as we face ever-larger challenges, we look back. We did amazing things, didn’t we? Why can’t we do it again? We leave Brookvale with a stack of achievements under our belt and a hunger for more—for the sweet feeling of accomplishment, of the sense that, yes, I did something remarkable. If we messed up, learning from mistakes is inherent—even if we trip over our life’s shoelaces, we’ll be reminded how to tie the knot again.

In the words of Walt Disney, You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.