Delivered Woodside Priory, 2020
Spirituality, Integrity, Community
Priory Graduation 2020
I am honored and humbled that you invited me to share tonight with you. Thank you.
Four years ago, we met. That first year, when I stood at the door to let you into class, I would often say “eyes” (Eyes Zach, Eyes Nicole, Eyes Naka, Eyes Ansa, Eyes Brandon, Eyes Angela) to remind you to look up and see me as you entered. It was clear how excruciating that was for you. I’m sure you were shy. I’m sure you thought if you didn’t look me in the eye you could simply disappear or that I wouldn’t know you’d only done half the assignment or that you hated me for assigning it in the first place. I’m sure my simply saying, “eyes,” made you cringe. But here’s the important truth: over the years I stopped having to say eyes because you did it on your own. As you passed me, or yelled up from Shilling Square, or as you walked past the door of B23 — you not only began to say my name, you began to look me square in the eye.
2020 Priory Upper School Graduation video, my speech starts around 17:50