valedictorian
...e life, to learn about others, but most importantly to learn about and to understand ourselves. The letter T stands for technology. As the world grows smaller and people become closer, we must maintain the knowledge and the ability to compete in this ever changing world. An English novelist, J. G. Ballard, suggests that "Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute." We must progress with and take advantage of technology, not follow behind it. The second U, in future, stands for uncertainty. Not one of us can predict the future, but we must do what we can to prepare for it. To prepare for our lives ahead, all of us must work toward a better society. We need to use our knowledge and cooperate with others to gain equality, reduce human suffering, monitor technology, and set an example for others behind us to follow. We are responsible for designing our society and for defining our generation, not as slackers but as doers who accomplished their goals despite of an uncertain future. R is for responsibility. A well known French writer and aviator writes: "To be a man… is to be responsible. It is to feel shame at the sight of what seems to be unmerited misery. It is to take pride in a victory won by one’s comrades. It is to feel, when setting one’s stone, that one is contributing to the building of the world." We must be responsible for our actions and for our mistakes. E is for education. We have successfully completed thirteen years of schooling, but our education does not end here. Our real education begins as we encounter the real world, learn about other cultures, make decisions and make mistakes, and take responsibility for our actions. A Scottish politician states: "Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave." To be independent and free, we must be educated, beyond the book work and experiences of high school. As we leave here tonight we embark on a great...