World-renowed, or “Talladega Nights” famous, race car driver Ricky Bobby once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” For any die-hard fans here tonight, I really hate to burst your bubble, but Ricky Bobby is wrong.
If there’s ony thing I’ve learned these past four years of high school, it’s that a person’s best may not always be the best, but that’s okay. There is always an opportunity that awaits and a chance to share the other gifts they’ve been given.
I’m sure y’all have noticed, but I am a bit on the short side … and by a bit, I mean I’m only an inch too tall to be legally considered a “little person.” I’ve come to terms with this and the fact that my lack of physical prowess means I will never be the best athlete, but there were many times I wished I was taller, faster, stronger, better at the sport I loved to play. But in these times, when I struggled to be confident in what I was doing, I realized there’s so much more to athletics than technical skills. In the same way, there’s so much more to life than the highs and lows of high school.
People always say time flies when you’re having fun. I say time flies when you’re busy, and lucky for us, we’ve gotten the best of both worlds like Hannah Montana. The beautiful chaos of these past few years has made the time absolutely fly by. I mean, I had always heard parents and previous graduates say high school goes by in the blink of an eye, but my goodness, I didn’t realize just how right they were until this year.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Every little detail of my appearance, personality, gift, abilities and desires are made intentionally by my heavenly father. I am His work of art, perfectly imperfect. No matter what I do or don’t accomplish in life is all a part of His plan, and He makes all of it possible. He is the reason I am able to stand here today, in Harper, U.S.A, pointing out the flaws in Ricky Bobby’s logic. He is the one who will make my future dreams come true, in His timing. He is the very breath in my lungs. Personally, I don’t want to waste the time He has blessed me with worrying that if I ain’t first, I’m last. Instead, I am choosing to trust my Lord with my life, knowing everything I do is all for His glory.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout our many years of school. I can’t possibly name all the people who have impacted my life and academic years, but I would like to take a second to shout out just a few. I want to thank my mom, Momma Stacy, for being my best friend and number-one supporter. You are my biggest role model, and I love you so beyond words. I’d like to thank my brothers, Barrett and Silas, for also being pretty cool dudes … okay fine, y’all are also my best friends in the whole world. Thank you to the rest of my family as well, especially cousin Courtney for showing me how much more there is to life than just what I can see right now. Thank you to my teachers and coaches for always supporting me in more than just school. Thank you to the friends that have become like family to me in my time here in Harper. Oh, and thanks Carlie Lewis for being the Lightning Mc-Queen to my Tow Mater.
Thank you, and have a blessed evening.
Edited to for space limitations. Read the entire speech online at fredericksburgstandard. com.
