Fate, dear Brutus, lies not with the stars, but within ourselves. —William Shakespeare (from Julius Caesar)
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My first-ever commencement address was delivered at a first-of-its-kind graduation ceremony, Saturday, May 30. I asked around, but ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini could find no evidence of any graduation like it.
The 14 graduates processed to “Pomp and Circumstance” behind the marshal, a Shin Tzu canine named Darla, resplendent in cap and gown. They sat on folding chairs amid majestic trees under a blue sky, with family and friends assembled behind, a light breeze blowing, and a video drone humming overhead.
The graduates were from 14 different academic institutions. Their ages ranged from 6 to 46. One was moving up from kindergarten. One from middle school. The rest had completed educational courses but missed walking in their respective ceremonies for various reasons.
Welcome to “The Walk of Life,” created by Angie Braithwaite.
Over a decade Angie had overcome numerous missteps and setbacks on the path to completing college. With a lot of grit and a lot of encouragement from family and friends, she kept trudging until she made it to the finish line this year, only to find out her much-anticipated graduation ceremony would be in the Charles Town Hollywood Casino Ballroom in front of a thousand strangers.
Each graduate got only four tickets for guests.
To hell with that, Angie said. I’ll make my own ceremonial walk and invite all my friends and family to celebrate “our” achievement.
And thus an alternative graduation ceremony was created.
The word got out. One friend after another said: I never got to walk. Can I be part of your ceremony?
Angie could have met her fate with resignation. She could have wallowed in despair and resentment. But she didn’t. Instead, she created something new. She transformed an impersonal ritual into something intimate and unique.
If she could do that maybe I could turn the traditionally platitudinous commencement speech into something memorable. Maybe I could give the merry graduates something tangible to hang on to. And so I told them:
Commencement speakers love to give advice. And, yes, advice is important. But I’m pretty sure graduates don’t want advice. They’ve heard enough to last a lifetime. Graduates don’t want more advice. Graduates want money.
(Fourteen heads nodded vigorously!)
I left the stage and handed each graduate a crisp two-dollar bill.
Am I the first to figure this out?
Not even Oprah did that!
As I said, this was a one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony.
Thank you, Randy!
We LOVE Good News! And a unique & joyous commemoration indeed…in our little town of unique & creative souls, I had heard that it was happening from Dena ( Angie’s proud mama), & then saw Angie before it occurred, & she was glowing with enthusiasm – about the upcoming ceremony, & about the joy she’s found in learning & taking classes.
Kudos for officiating, with no more advice; kudos to all the happy graduates on a beautiful day celebrating together…& I forget who’s on the $2 bill, but I know who’s NOT! lol
Thanks for the pic, & these precious details… I love this place, & our folks more & more each day!
This is awesome!
Fred Rogers commented: “A love of learning has a lot to do with learning that we are loved.” Maybe, just maybe, this unique walk of life was about that realization at any stage of life.
😀Just a smile. Thanks for the uplifting story. How to make things happen. Read on my deck watching the herons and gulls and the wavy lake. Listening to crows gabbing and the kingfisher , finches and robins.
Brilliant! Love it!
Thanks so much for this, Randy. We were honored to have you!
Here’s my takeaway on your one advice. When you spoke of the Beatitudes, yours was “Blessed are those who try!” God bless us everyone!
I didn’t “walk” either. Instead of my own ceremony, I attended my youngest son’s in California. I made it to all three of my children’s’ ceremony. Those were the most import. Following many delays and false starts, I finally made it. At my youngest’s ceremony, my mother commented that the only thing she had ever seen me graduate from was kindergarten. Just the same, she opted to see all of my kids graduate from college. Nonetheless, I remain as graduated as them. Life rolls on!
The smaller the crowd, the sweeter the celebration. Wonderful tradition.
Randy, I join this loyal crowd who loves creativity and innovation, and the great traditions and stories that come from them. Maybe what I love most about this story is that Angie, whose story of perseverance in accomplishing a personal educational goal, was delightfully served by her creative, meaningful way to honor and celebrate it. And in so doing, look at the deep meaning and enjoyment she created for so many others! The woman is a triumph! And Randy, what an honor to be the first to be asked to address the memorable occasion! How great is it to live in a place like ours where such is the norm?
Angie has been my hero since she organized the best Fashion Show “Fight for She!” years and years ago. I saw her flame. Next she was a landscaper for me. We became close. Angie shared the very best friend “Catalina” with me to help me in the house. I’ve never been alone because Angie’s in the background! I am SO proud of her. and Congrats..to you for being asked to speak. Fight!
How great to have a commencement that affirms and encourages others! With your words and humor, you remind me of a statement by Kimberly Giles, “You are an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind, amazing being. There will never be another you, and this fact alone makes you infinitely and absolutely valuable.” I think you communicate this to others
Funny thing, the last time I walked was for my second bachelors (the engineering one), and shortly thereafter, I drew $200 in cash from my account, all in two dollar bills, and spent them around town in the course of daily life…
I never did walk for my masters because that happened during a certain year that ended with twenty…
And another kudo to Angie and you, that is, creativity. You both did something new and meaningful and potentially lasting. Congratulations.
(Randy, was this a fund raising letter? Sorry, I don’t have any “two-fers.”