To the Central Piedmont Community College Faculty and Staff, our honored guests, administrators and supporters of the Pathways Program, family members, and friends, we are assembled here this afternoon to celebrate the graduation of the Central Piedmont Community College - Pathways to Employment Spring 2003 Programs. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to come and celebrate with us.

As I look around this afternoon, I see many people here who have put in many hours of preparing course agendas, instructing us, keeping us focused on our tasks, studying, working and being people outside of school. To those who have supported this program, our administrators, and to our very knowledgeable and capable instructors, on behalf of the Spring 2003 programs, I thank you.

I have spent many hours thinking of what I was going to say this afternoon. While contemplating I realized that even if I gave the most profound speech, my words would still be forgotten. So in hopes of leaving you with some lasting words, I have chosen a quote by Walt Disney. It simply says:  “If you can DREAM it, you can DO it.”

To the Spring 2003 Pathways classes - A lot of effort has been put in by everyone. This class is made up of students from all different ages and races, we are a diverse class that now has the skills to move forward. Your hard work has paid off and you now hold many things that cannot be taken away from you, some of which are the new skills and technologies that you have learned, the new acquaintances that have been made, some of you have obtained your GEDs, and last, but certainly not least is your certificate of program completion that you will receive later. Congratulations on work well done.

Everyone sitting here before me has his or her own special talents, goals, and dreams. Many of you have dreamed of the time this day would arrive, and here you are fulfilling that dream. For some of you today is just a precursor to that bigger and better goal you have in mind. But no matter what your aspiration in life, always try to attain it. In your unwavering vigil for tomorrow, acknowledge the hopes and dreams you harbor deep within. In the light of this new day, find the strength and courage to pursue your own destiny. One of my favorite sayings is “You are the only one on earth that can use your ability.“ (Repeat) Others can stop you temporarily but you are the only one who can do it permanently.  So I say to you approach tomorrow with bravery, and allow your goals to guide you. Shield yourself with unwavering determination and fight to achieve your each and every dream. This new day brings forth every opportunity for your success.

We have spent the past twelve to fourteen weeks preparing for what is to come. Whether we are going on to obtain our GEDs, further our college education, get jobs, or just find ourselves, we will always remember what we have been through and how we got where we are today. Use this knowledge to expand your dreams and to create new ones.

Just because we are graduating today does not mean we now know everything; rather, it is just the opposite. As we go out into the world we will continue to grow, to learn, and to mature. Indeed, this is perhaps one of the greatest qualities of mankind, that we can develop our minds to better understand. It is a rare and important gift that should not be abused through neglect or halfhearted attention. Never stop trying and never ever stop learning because the moment you do, you begin to die. Just remember that no one, absolutely no one, can cheat you out of your ultimate success but yourself.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Central Piedmont Community College Spring 2003 Pathways to Employment graduates and to leave you with these wise words from one of my favorite poems: Comes The Dawn by Veronica Shoffstall.

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security,and you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure. That you really are strong.  And you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn. With every goodbye you learn.

Congratulations on your accomplishments graduating members! You all deserve them! Good luck in the future and God bless! Thank you.