In his remarks to Notre Dame Prep graduates on Sunday, May 20, 2018, Head of School Andy Guest told the graduating seniors that they are indeed special. He also said it's not always about the kinds of colleges or universities they will attend; it's about what they actually do with that college education and what kind of person each will become. And most importantly, how well they treat others.
Enjoy!
NDPMA Head of School Andy Guest addresses the Class of 2018 at the school’s 24th Commencement on May 20, 2018.
May 20, 2018
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
You are all special!
Good afternoon! Well, what do we have here? All these young, wonderful, smiling faces. Angels of Christ. Ready to conquer the world. And your parents, grandparents or other family members are all here to love and support you. What a wonderful day! What a wonderful celebration!
As we confer degrees today, I want you to know that every single one of you has accomplished something special. A degree from ND is in and of itself a significant accomplishment. Sometimes students tell me that there are so many smart students at Notre Dame, that they feel very average if they're not at the top of their class. Believe me, there are no dummies here. You are all smart. You are all gifted. Every one of you has the ability to accomplish something special in life. The key is to find your path and your purpose.
Academics is only one measure of how you do in life. A strong work ethic, a determination to succeed, an entrepreneurial spirt, the ability to see and create things in unique ways, the gift of playing an instrument or competing in a sport, the ability to communicate, being able to work as part of a team, a caring and compassionate heart and a loving relationship with Christ are other just-as-important measures of success.
When I was your age, my father used to give me advice on life and business. One of his great sayings was, “Don’t tell me how smart you are, tell me how well you get along with people.” Very sage.
So today, we are celebrating your accomplishment of graduating from the top Catholic school in the state of Michigan and one of the toughest academic schools in the Midwest.
We are celebrating your moving on to the next level of your academic careers. The next stage of your life. As you do so, I would like you to keep a few things in mind.
1. It is fun to hear all the different colleges and universities that you plan to attend, but it is not the “end all.” We tend to celebrate acceptances into colleges that are tough to get into, but you can do very well with your life wherever you go to college. It is far more important what you do with your college experience than where you go.
2. Where you go to college is not who you will be. A college does not define you as a person. How you choose to live your life and how you treat others will define you as a person.
3. Finally, you are all special because you were all created in the image of God. And God doesn’t create anything or anybody without a purpose. There is a reason that you look the way you do. There is a reason that you think the way you do. No two people on earth are exactly alike. So it doesn’t matter if you have high honors, some honors or no honors. You have all accomplished something significant. You all matter. And you are all special.
Be safe. Be smart. Tell your parents that you love them. And have a wonderful and blessed day!
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.