The choice Is Yours!*                        
                                                                                    by
                                                                            John Jackson

 Class of 2000, this is your day!   Class of 2000, this day is all about you.  You have had the math of Ms Ayads and Mrs. Stickley. You have had the language of Mrs. Frykenberg.   You have had the history of Mrs. Pirolo. You have had the music of Mr. Hamilton.

 You have had the opportunity to plant trees on campus and to celebrate Earth Day.  You have had the opportunity to go to Valley Forge, 6th grade camp, Death Valley, and Washington DC.  You have had the opportunity to run for student body offices, attend A Day at the Fair, and celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  You have had the opportunity to make new friends.   

Class of 2000 you leave a legacy.  You have an academic record that helped to place MHS consistently first or second place in the district in academic standings.  You have shown us talent at the talent show.  You have created wonderful artwork in our breezeway. You have left a beautiful marque that say's "Class of 2000." 

 Now, think for a moment, MHS is more than a school.  It’s a Community.  You have had Mrs. Woodward’s smile and friendly demeanor.  You have had Mrs. Espie's guidance and protection.  You have had Mrs. Emma's energy and excitement.  You have had Mrs. Curry’s band-aids and bathroom.  You have had an administration second to none that has worked tirelessly to promote academic success.  You have had Mr. Manuel who works constantly to secure our health and safety.   Here with a nurturing and supportive staff, we have a safe and secure academic community. MHS is more than a school.  It’s a culture!!! It’s a culture!!!!

 Class of 2000, there is something deeply unsettling about the American culture, today; everyone wants to be a millionaire.  It's on TV.  It's in magazines; it’s in our music.  Everyone wants to be a millionaire.

 How many of you know the Hip Hop artist Warren G?  Warren G said,

    I want it all
    Money, fast cars, diamond rings, gold chains and champagne
    Each and every damn thing.

    I want it all
    Houses, expenses, my own business, a truck,
    And a couple of Benz(es).

    I want it all
    Brand new socks and drawer
    And I’m ballin’ everytime I stop and talk to ya’ll
    I want it all, all, all, all
    I want it all, all, all, all!!!!!

Class of 2000, what I have to say can change your life.  I will give you a moment to relax, to take a deep breath, and prepare for the future.  DON’T BE SCARED; BE PREPARED!

Class of 2000, you can't have it all; you must make choices. Class of 2000, you can't have it all; you must make wise and thoughtful choices. Class of 2000, you can't have it all; you must make hard choices. Our culture is changing.  Everyone can't be a millionaire.  It's all about choices

It's your choice to study; it's your choice to go to college; it's your choice to take drugs. The choice is yours.

Life is made of success and failure.  You have to make hard choices but they must be ones you consciously think about before you make them.

Class of 2000, I am reminded of the sailor who met a pirate.  The sailor said, "You're a real pirate?"  You have a pegged leg, hook, and an eye patch.  The pirate said, "The captain threw me over board into shark infested waters.  A shark bit my leg off, that's how I got a pegged leg.  I got into a sword fight and that’s how I lost my hand. I was on a pirate ship high in a crow's nest as I looked up and a crow pooped in my eye.  The sailor said, "You mean a bird caused you to lose your eye?"  And the pirate said, “That was my first day with the hook."  Class of 2000, you're going to have failures.  You are not going to use your hook right the first time.  But keep trying.  The sailor admired the pirate for his consistent struggles and for his persistence and patience. Success requires hard work and sticking with it when it's tough. 

 One thing that is unlimited is education. Make your life a life-long quest for knowledge.  Remember, ideas are more important than material things.  With ideas, you can build a new future.  The choice is yours.

 Class of 2000, it's your future.  Success in the knowledge-based society will require a variety of critical skills, including active, self-directed learning, the ability to access and analyze remote data, and the ability to communicate across regional and national boundaries.  Employers will demand workers who can learn new skills to adapt to changing job requirements and use new technologies, and work collaboratively in groups. Most Americans are not acquiring these types of skills as part of their education today.

  Yet, I caution you, DON'T ALLOW THE ISOLATION OF THE INTERNET TO DEFINE YOUR LIFE.  The Internet could be good or evil.  The choice is yours.

 Class of 2000, today, we have something in common.  We are both leaving MHS.  I am moving to Arlington, VA to become an Albert Einstein Fellow and the National Science Foundation.   In January 2000, I had no idea that I would be moving.  In February 2000, I had the opportunity to complete an application for the Albert Einstein Fellowship program. This began the process.

 CLASS OF 2000, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?   In high school, if there is an opportunity to run for student body office, WORK THAT WORD OPPORTUNITY.  If there’s an opportunity to compete in a science fair contest, WORK THAT WORD OPPORTUNITY.  If there’s an opportunity to go to Catalina Island to study marine science, work WORK THAT WORD OPPORTUNITY!

 Eighth Grade, Mr. Carroll, Mrs. Arroyo and the Highlands Administration, and parents, thank you for the opportunity.

 You have only begun you’re life-long learning.  While you can’t have it all, to be successful, you must make hard choices.  Choose the opportunities and hard choices that will take you further in your education.  The choice is yours!

 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2000.

 _____

          * Commencement address for Monterey Highlands School, June 15, 2000.