This past May, I had the distinct honor of giving the following commencement speech for a middle school graduation.
“My name is Colleen Klimczak, and I am a School Board member of Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124.
On behalf of our school board and superintendent, I would like to welcome you all.
More importantly, and this is more important, especially tonight, I am also a parent of one of our graduates this evening. My Son is sitting out there, robed in green and probably shaking his head at his mom right now.
Sorry, kiddo. I wish I could say that this is the last time I will embarrass you, but we both know that is probably not the case.
I want to say
Thank You
to all of you here
for coming.
And not just coming to this graduation ceremony.
You see, as a parent – my graduate this evening is my youngest of three – I know all that goes in to getting to this point.
Thank you to our teachers and staff who have instructed and guided our kids along the way. These students have benefited immeasurably from these dedicated, passionate educators.
As a board member, I thank every one of you for your service.
And as a parent, I thank each of you that has had a hand in guiding my son.
These educators arrive early, stay late, they’re in the classrooms and hallways, at extra events on evenings and weekends, they are always available via email. Trust me, I know.
And they truly have our students’ best interests in mind. We are so fortunate, and I am so grateful.
Thank you, parents. And grandparents and aunts and uncles and all those folks who also show up.
Every.
Day.
I’m not even going to finish the equation, of number of mornings multiplied by number of school 
years so far! Lunches packed, backpacks, homework, gym uniforms, sport uniforms, band instruments, car pools, field trips, forms completed. Then there are the games and concerts and events that we are seriously SO happy to attend. A shout out to John’s grandparents who are here, and who have showed up to EVERYTHING for my three boys over the years.
Students – yes, tonight is about you, but some time this evening, please stop and look your parents and grandparents and significant adults in the eyes and thank them for helping you get to this occasion. They love you so much, trust me.
And now, Students!
All of you here may not know this, but this an amazing group of young people.
I have known some of them since kindergarten, and even before that.
I’ve been so blessed to spend time with some of them over the years, and watch them all grow. They are smart, funny, engaged and curious, civic minded and involved.
Students, I have three things to ask of you this evening.
First, Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Don’t bother with easy, or just skating by, just because you think no one will notice.
YOU will notice.
And once you know you can count on yourself to do the right thing, your confidence and capacity for doing the right thing will grow.
Perhaps you’ll find yourself in a situation and you’re not sure what the right thing to do is?
Go with kindness. Justice. Fairness. Thinking and thoughtfulness. Those are always going to be the right thing. And the Right Thing might not be what everyone else is doing, but that’s ok, they are just waiting for you to set an example.
Second, Find your people.
Look around, and see the people that are doing what you want to do, what you aspire to do.
Surround yourself with good people who will lift you up, build you up. Who aren’t about drama, who are also the ones doing the right thing even when no one is looking.
Find and appreciate those people, and
more importantly, strive to be that best person for others.
Finally, Start and end with gratitude.
Be grateful for your natural born talents and your diligently honed skills.
Be grateful for your family who loves you, for the education you are working for, for your friends and our community.
Imagine, remembering just one thing you’re grateful for as you start and finish your day every day. Imagine how great that would feel, and how much that small habit would positively impact your life.
So:
Do the Right Thing;
Find Your People;
And Start and End with Gratitude.
I’m going to take my own advice here, and say thank you, Central Middle School class of 2018, for letting me get to know you. I can’t wait to see what each of you will continue to achieve in big and small ways, in the years to come. Congratulations and Well Done!
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