Scotty Smiley Commencement Speech

This is the opening and closing to a high school commencement speech I ghostwrote for Scotty Smiley.

THEME: Life is about overcoming, nothing is impossible, what are you willing to fight for, and how you will never have to do it alone.

[BEGINNING]

Let me start by saying this: in this life you are going to face many battles, and you are going to have to fight, but never once must you do it alone.

Good afternoon (NAME) High School. Thank you to the faculty and staff for having me here tonight, it’s a true honor. Class of 2018, you made it.

I can’t teach you everything about the real world in 7 minutes, but I can cover enough bases to guide you into the coming phases of your life. You have all fought to be here tonight, whether it was fighting to get a passing grade in math, or fighting through the teenage struggles of our time, each and every one of you fought one battle or another to be sitting here, waiting to cross this stage. I hope for at least these 7 minutes, you don’t feel alone in that very fact.

Not too long ago, my life was seemingly planned out, though I look back and laugh at myself now for thinking I could have had a plan of my own. But nevertheless, I had graduated high school, attended and graduated from West Point, and was married to my high school sweetheart. Shortly thereafter I was headed to Iraq for my first deployment. I wasn’t the best at school, but I fought to succeed. I fought for my future and rank in the army, and in 2004, I was headed to Iraq to fight for the United States of America during the Iraqi Freedom Mission.

[END]

I have discovered in my short time on this earth that life is an uphill battle. There’s never not a time to overcome something, big or small. In this life, you will have to fight. You will walk out of this ceremony and there will be something to fight for.

Some of you men and women might join the military to fight for the freedom of this country. Some of you might join the workforce and be fighting to get a position or a promotion. Some of you might have to fight for recognition in your family, among your friends, in your community, or in your job. Some of you will go to college and fight for the grades that will take you to the next level. Some of you will fight for equality. Some of you will fight for the advocacy of others. But all of you will fight; all of you will face challenges in your life that need overcoming.

But let me tell you this: there will never be a battle you have to fight alone. Many of you will roll your eyes, believing that you are invincible and that help will make you look weak. I can relate to that feeling, but I can also promise you that the only way to succeed is to rely on those around you. Surround yourself with those who live and strive for a greater good. And if there is one take away from all of this, I hope that you learn to depend on them, for success and for survival. There is nothing in this world that makes you stronger or more fearless than that.

Above all, love others selflessly and treat others with kindness and respect, for it will get you farther than any promotion, any college GPA or degree ever will.

Thank you again, and congratulations class of 2018! Good luck in your future endeavors and God bless.