Valedictorian Speech
Friday, May 18, 2007
For all y'all who didn't come to my graduation here is my speech, just in case you cared.
One day in Ms. Rooks's class, my class began building sentences. We took small sentences, sentences that little children would write, and turned them into monoliths. We would start off with something like, “The dog was brown,” and turn it into “The chocolate Lab, a mangy-looking character, limped down Elm St., a dark, dank alley.” It was fun and fulfilling, but looking back, I realize that this concept can be applied to life. God gives us this little, empty shell called talent. Talent can be described as, “the natural ability of a person to do something.” We must then develop this talent into something bigger, something better, something enjoyable.
ICA has been key in the development of our spiritual talent. Learning how to enter Christ's kingdom was probably the pinnacle of my education at ICA. I remember the day when, after weeks of squeezing my heart, the Holy Spirit finally came into me. It all happened in Mr. Newton's office. It was a week when I had gotten four marks, a feat earning an express pass to Mr. Newton's office, where I finally asked the question that had been nagging on my heart “How do you get saved?” Mr. Newton then took me through the plan of salvation, and I became of member of Christ's family. Afterwards I felt an inexplicable joy, a joy that only true members of Christ have ever felt, a foretaste of joy we will one day have in heaven. But, after my salvation, ICA did not let me go into the world and destroy myself. It helped cultivate my relationship with Christ, showing me how to become better, helping me learn. ICA, through wonderful teachers like Mr. Evans, Mr. Hefner, and Mr. Rebert, has given us the knowledge of how to lead others to Christ and how to live the Christian life the right way. Also, my parents continually guided and directed me throughout my life, making sure that I would not go astray.
Not only is ICA instrumental in the growth of spiritual talents, but it also cultivates our musical talents. Because of ICA's great musical program, we have been given the opportunity to minister to many people. Without this program I probably would not have learned to love good godly music. I thank Mr. Ascher immensely for his direction throughout our lives. But, he isn't the only one who had a part in developing our musical talents. There have been others who had a part as well. People like Mrs. Boley, Mrs. Ascher, Mrs. Newton, and Mrs. DeSai have all been part of our musical lives.
ICA has allowed us to be with other godly Christians. We have found at ICA many friends who have helped us along our paths, who have given us a hand in times of need. They have allowed us to know what good Christian fellowship is.
ICA has cultivated our academic talents. Teachers like Ms. Rooks, Ms. DuBois, Mrs. Luttrull, and Mrs. Bower have given us great education in language and literature. Mr. Moody, Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Carlson, and Mr. Newton have all taught us math and science at one point, and many other teachers pitch in to make our little shells of talent become great. ICA has done much more than teach us what is in the books. It has built up talents that will allow us to thrive in our later lives after high school.
Finally, I challenge the ICA student body to become involved in everything they can. I may have been busy at ICA, but all the extracurricular activities will help me at college and beyond. I also challenge you not to get comfortable in your Christianity. The world is quickly digressing. With every year it keeps on getting worse. I pray that you will learn how to fight the good fight of faith in order to defeat the evil that is quickly becoming more and more real. May the Lord bless you as you use your talents to serve him and live to his honor and glory.
Posted by The Dave 9:24 PM
