Brainerd High School commencement speeches

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Being the Class of 2000 has left many with high expectations of us -- expectations that we have battled and conquered. Throughout our educational journey, we have proven to be strong, intelligent and courageous. Each day has brought us different challenges and opportunities. These challenges and opportunities led us to events that we will never forget. We must focus today on all of the best memories that we've had here at Brainerd High School. As Kevin Nealins' character in the movie "Happy Gilmore" said best: "Harness the good, block out the bad."

• Photos

I would like to share with you a lesson I have learned as my senior year has come to a close. What I've learned is that not often enough we realize how special something is until it is gone. Next year as we are all pursuing our dreams, we will look back, and most of us will miss something about Brainerd High School, may it be your friends, school lunch or the last opportunity for a free public education. Author Stephen Levine asks the question: "If you had an hour to live and could make only one phone call -- who would you call? What would you say, and why are you waiting?" With this question in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some very special people.

First, I would like to thank the faculty here at Brainerd High School. You have guided us, the Class of 2000, in the right direction. You have been more than teachers; you have also been our friends while expanding our minds with knowledge.

Next, I would like to thank our parents and guardians. Without your guidance, support and love we wouldn't have made it this far. Your positive influences and lessons in what is right and what is wrong have been priceless in our quest for reaching the next step in our lives.

Last, but not least, my fellow classmates of the Class of 2000: Our successes in athletics, in the arts, in school organizations and in academics have shown the talent we will carry on into the future. I would like to congratulate my fellow comrades on our accomplishments. As our different paths lead us all to the same road of success, I would like to leave you with this anonymous thought:

"Let's suppose you had a bank that each morning credited your account with $1,440 with one condition. Whatever part of the $1,440 you had failed to use during the day would be erased from your account and no balance carried over ... What would you do? Of course, you'd draw out every cent, every day and use it to your best advantage. Well, you have such a bank and its name is time. Every morning the bank credits you with $1,440. Invest wisely!"

(Hahn is the Brainerd High School senior class president.)