Sayville School Chief to Grads: Wherever You Go, You Will Top All the Rest

The following is Sayville Superintendent Dr. Walter Schnarter's Graduation Speech to the Sayville Class of 2013.

On behalf of the Board of Education, all of the teachers and staff, I would like to welcome everyone to this very special event. To the Sayville High School Class of 2013, thank you for establishing a new standard of achievement for other classes to emulate. You have added to the excellence that is the Sayville Public Schools.

In May, Newsweek  published a list of the top high schools in the nation for 2013. Out of 27,142 high schools in America, Sayville High School is ranked 483 or in the top 1.8%. This is a direct reflection of your academic success and the rigorous courses that you have chosen.

I will not list all of your individual accomplishments or we would be here until dark. Mr. Hoffer will give more detail to specific accomplishments. I would like to spend a few minutes to highlight your next step in life. To do that I will use the literature of one of my favorite authors on the 75th anniversary of his first publication, Dr. Seuss. This journey is described well in one of my favorite books written by him, Oh, the Places You’ll Go. 

He states, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go. You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care. About some you may say, I don’t choose to go there. With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down the not-so-good street.

You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in the Lurch.

Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. With the banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of guy!”

Goals are dynamic but with purpose. If you focus on that purpose you will keep flying and avoid the prickle-ly perch. Stay connected with your teachers and your school. Your input is always welcome. We are always looking for ways to teach our students to fly farther and faster while avoiding the hang-ups and bang-ups.

To the Class of 2013, as you leave this ceremony this morning, on the path to your personal future, you have become a part of a great tradition, which is Sayville High School. Buildings and people change—but that tradition of excellence will remain our goal for as long as the Sayville High School is the center of pride for this community. Just ask the many alumni that have chosen to share your day by marching into the graduation. Remember all that have played a part in your achievement—parents, grandparents, teachers, administrators and this entire community. Remember that you have the power to do great and different things. You have the power to change the course of history through goodness, kindness, and intelligent decision making.

As you reflect on your educational journey at Sayville Public Schools, take the advice of  Dr. Seus.  “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

We are proud of each and every one of you, and we share your happiness this morning. Good luck and may God bless you in all that you do!