Thank you Ms. Samson and anyone I’ve forgotten.

Hello, I'm Sam Panarese and I was elected graduation speaker.  Pretty big honor.  Thanks.  (Begin to walk away from podium)

So, I was thinking about what I was going to talk about for my speech.  And I was like... I'm just going to talk... about... my speech…that I wrote…because I was elected.

So Milton Academy... good school.  I've been here since Kindergarten and what have I taken from my experience?  Multiplication... vocabulary... a book.  But, I’m not here to talk about my education or my teachers other than to say…they were good.  I'm here to talk about the impact the college process has had on me. 

In one of the most competitive years in college applicant history, we all have gotten caught in a swirl of academic, parental and peer pressures. 

I remember when my mom used to wave a staple gun in my face and say, "Sam, if you don't get into a good school, you're dead."  This didn't make a lot of sense when I was in second grade.  But, in my experience at Milton, especially the past year, I've learned you need to ask the questions: What are my goals?  And am I defining them myself, or letting others define them for me? 

America is a consumer culture; we like the name brands not because they necessarily guarantee better quality, but because other people say they do.  Similarly, there's a certain list of colleges that people assume, rightly or wrongly, provide a better education and experience for basically anyone.  I was seduced by the hype and the glamour around these name brands…but not in a sexual way.  I applied early decision to Cornell's art school.  And, before I opened my letter of passionate rejection, I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, Sam: you're applying to art school and you don't want to do a lot of art in school.  Ha.  You're an idiot."  I had a whole plan for after I was admitted to Cornell, where people would come up to me and say, "So where are you going next year?"  And, I'd say "Cornell."  But, I realize now that I was really missing the bigger picture.  The truth is, all of the hype around college rankings and the Ivy League logo made me forget what was really important to me: a well-rounded education. 

Now, I'm not dismissing Cornell, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, Penn, Harvard or Yale as marketing hype, although…I heard a secret: they’re not all accredited.  But, when it comes to college, you need to create a perspective that's your own, not some composite of other people's perspectives.  Successful Milton alumnus T.S. Eliot wasn't told, "Hey, you should write chapter books for a living."  Successful alumnus Richard Wigglesworth wasn't told, "Hey, you should serve as legal adviser to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in charge of foreign loans and railway payments, and secretary of the World War Debt Commission, from 1922 to 1924... for a living."  Similarly, successful graduate Stephen King's daughter wasn't told, "Hey, you should be the daughter of a famous author."  True success comes to the independent-minded: those who weed out outside influences and form their own goals. 

Another example: after years of wearing Lacoste polo shirts, I recently realized that the sleeves on these shirts are too short.  I then recognized that my Old Navy polos had normal sleeves and a more comfortable fit.  Most people assume that Lacoste makes better polos than Old Navy.  Why?  Well, one guy with weird arms starts liking Lacoste, and then his buddy starts liking it because his friend says it's good.  And he's like, "Yeah, the sleeves are a little short.  But, I’m told they’re comfortable. "And, before you know it, everybody's wearing bad polos.  A year ago I probably would have kept wearing Lacoste polos; but, now, I realize that my goal shouldn't be to look and feel good in theory, but to look and feel good actually.  So I stick with Old Navy.  And I look phenomenal.

What I'm trying to say, really, is that we should all just be looking for our own unique "fit."  That's a reference back to the polos.  I urge each of you to reevaluate your goals and make sure they're really your own... that they represent who you are, not who people tell you you should be.  Don't get a new car because Steve and Hal say it's cool.  I mean why the hell would you listen to Steve and Hal?!  Let’s be honest.  I mean, I made them up.  They don’t even exist!  Think about it.  After all, it's never been about anything more than you.  So don't take advice from anyone.  That's my advice... to you...

So where do you go from here?  Class of 2008, you're like, Well I'm already into college, so what are you trying to do, Sam!?  What I'm saying applies to much more than the college process.  Choose classes that truly interest you: not simply the easiest or the most popular.  For middle-aged workers, quit your jobs now.  Do it.  Find something better.  Be a veterinarian!  Help animals if that’s your thing.  It’s not mine, but it’s cool if it’s yours.  And, for old people... it’s not too late to do something new and daring.  Go rollerblading or get naked.  Go for it.  But give us a head's up first. 

To sum up everything I'm trying to say, I'll bring you back to the swirl of opinions that surrounds you... like a giant... metaphor.  Though these outside influences will never die down, you do have the choice to ignore them.  Be an electrician after business school.  Be a businessman after... electrician... school.  Whatever.  It's never too late to do what you're truly passionate about. 
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success.  And, everything else is B.S."  End quote. 

Thank you.  I’m done.

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