2009 Valedictory Address by Sean Keller

Here I am, your valedictorian. The smartest student in the class, right? Wrong. I don’t agree with this title at all because contradictory to the stereotype, I don’t believe I’m the smartest in the school, and to be honest, I don’t think any one student is the smartest in comparison to the rest of us. Like most of you, I’ve worked hard during the past four years in order to shape myself into the cookie-cutter student that admissions committees want to see. I’ve watched others alongside of me do the same, becoming enveloped by the motivation of success.

People are all in competition for power. It’s driven into our minds that in order to provide our lives with meaning, we have to prove ourselves to everyone else, and if we do, we will move up in society. If we become what everyone wants us to be, we too will enjoy a piece of the power. Like everyone else, you are taught to determine your self-satisfaction by comparing yourself to others – how much money you make, how much respect you have, and what kind of car you drive. This type of person is weak, and constantly needs to reassure him or herself of their position in life.

The easiest way to provide oneself with such a reassurance is to gain a title. You hear it all the time. People will introduce themselves, and the first thing that comes out of their mouth is, “Hi, I’m the head of so and so.” They are just seizing another opportunity to flaunt their power, constantly running around searching for praise from others. Never allow yourselves to fall into the complacency of being defined by a title because it just shows that you are too small of a person to enjoy your achievements and need the praise from others to truly appreciate yourself.

Society tries to create what they believe is a “good student.” I’ve watched some parents even , the people who are always supposed to be on our side, put so much pressure on their children to live up to this model. I’m telling you all not to allow yourselves to become that parent, the one who lives vicariously through their child, and in turn drives them to the verge of insanity, because in the end they’re just teaching their child to live in search for the respect of others. High school is designed to encourage us to conform to this quote. “Valedictorian” is merely another title, having no more value than putting in on college applications. Once again it is an artificial measurement of success.

Don’t determine your success based on such material things which influence how others view you. Success is being proud of your own accomplishments, being satisfied with your position in life, and having the humility not to feel the need to be reminded of your success by others.

Thomas Wolfe once said, “You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, complements or publicity.” If there is one thing you should take with you from this ceremony, it is this: Every choice you make in life, make your decision for yourself and not to impress or satisfy others.

Good luck to all of you next year.

Thank you.