First Selectman Tesoro's 2019 Trumbull High School Graduation Speech
TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION 2019
Good Evening to everyone and a very special greeting to the Class of 2019!
Before beginning my remarks, I would like to recognize the graduates that will be entering the armed forces, our military academies and the ROTC upon graduation. Please stand when I announce your names. I ask the audience to hold your applause until all the names have been called.
Thank you for the service you will render to our country.
Also, if there are any veterans in our audience today, I would ask you to stand and be recognized and I ask everyone here to give them a round of applause as well.
It is your service and sacrifices that make days like today possible. Thank you.
Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Your achievements in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in academic competitions, and in our Community have made us all very proud. You have shown that you can compete with both intensity and respect. That is the way it should be and I thank you for it.
Thank you Dr. Cialfi, Dr. McGrath, Dr. Budd, Principal Guarino, the faculty and staff at Trumbull High School and the Board of Education for your service to our community.
To the graduates- Soon you will be going in different directions, meeting many new people, and discovering new opportunities. That is very exciting and daunting at the same time.
Change is uncomfortable but my advice to you is to embrace change because change is both necessary and good.
What happens next is your first step not your only step.
Be open to new possibilities, approach life with an open mind.
You don’t have to be the best, but you always should try your best in whatever you do.
You will find your own path.
Please remember, what you choose to do is important. What is equally important, if not more important, is how you do it.
Character matters. In life you will experience things that you cannot control. Your character is 100% in your control. So,
Be people of integrity, honesty, and courage.
Carry yourselves at all times with grace and dignity.
Look at differences as opportunities to learn and when you disagree, do so respectfully, and in a civil manner.
Take responsibility for your actions. When you make mistakes, and you will make mistakes, don’t dwell on them. Admit them and fix them.
Be the kind of person whose positive example speaks for itself.
Be the kind of person whose word has meaning and be the kind of person others can rely on to do the right thing.
If you do that, no matter what you do, you are a success.
Let me share the wisdom of two Presidents.
President John F. Kennedy said: “Every person can make a difference and every person should try.”
President Ronald Reagan said: “There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
Be the kind of person who tries to make a difference.
Be the kind of person that shoulders the blame but shares the credit.
Positive change begins, one person at a time.
A final thought that I heard at a recent graduation. Dream big. Work hard. Live your life with your heads in the clouds but with your feet firmly on the ground.
So, in closing, on behalf of the Town of Trumbull:
To the teachers, administrators, and support staff at Trumbull High School, thank you for your efforts in making this day possible.
To the parents and families, congratulations and, thank you, for all you do, to give your children this wonderful opportunity.
To the students, congratulations, and a job well done.
I wish you success in whatever path you follow!