My Last Speech as Principal @mineolahs

Good Morning!

Welcome Members of the Board of Education, Mr. Gaven, administrators, teachers, our senior class advisors, families, and most importantly, the Mineola High School Class of 2022!  What a beautiful day to celebrate this incredible class… together again at the Tilles Center! 

• Thank you Ava, Katherine, and Alvin, your speeches were incredible.
• Thank you Rose, Grace, Izzy, Vanessa, James, Aidan, and Julia. Your voices bring so much joy to our ceremony. 
• Thank you to the orchestra in the balcony… we can see you! And thank you to Dr. Messina and Ms. Campbell for leading these musicians. 

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here with you all this morning!

Each year, as I look for inspiration when writing my graduation speech, I often find it in the most obscure locations. This year was no different. I was in Mr. Gaven’s office in the beginning of May and could hear faint music in the distance. The upbeat rhythm caught my attention and I opened the window to see where it was coming from. 

An instant smile came to my face as I saw our youngest learners, the pre-k kids, with their teachers, practicing a dance outside to Shakira’s “Try Anything” from the movie Zootopia. I thought about their innocence… I thought about how they were just beginning their journey… and I thought about what lies ahead for them in our fast moving, and unpredictable world.

When I returned home that evening, I dug into the lyrics… 

"I keep falling down
I keep on hitting the ground
But I always get up now….  to see what's next
Birds don't just fly
They fall down and get up
Nobody learns without getting it wrong"

This couldn’t be a better descriptor of the past 2 ½ years of our lives… A time filled with both tragedy and triumph. 

I have thought a lot about time lately… a topic that has allowed me to reflect ever since my dad gave me this pocket watch a few years ago. It was my grandfather’s high school graduation gift, passed down to me, and has been symbolic ever since.   

Time is a funny thing when you think of it. We are constantly hearing about it… living through it, or affected by it. Whether you’ve been told that you are right on time, it’s about time, you better take your time , or you are living through one strange time, time is a part of you. 

How often do we think about using our time better, and regret that we didn’t spend it wisely? How often do we wish time could slow down when we are on vacation, or doing something we enjoy? And How often do we wish time would speed up when we are forced to do something unpleasant?  Although we cannot literally turn the clock back, or speed it up for that matter, according to Actor, Jeremy Irons “We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.” 

Your time machines have already created amazing memories together, and now as you step forward in time, you can begin to realize your dreams. So, take control of your time, live your own life, and maximize this valuable and limited resource. By doing so, you will never have to wish that you could go back and fix the things you did or didn’t do in the past.

So back to Shakira and our Pre K kids… the song got louder… and even more beautiful.  

"I won't give up
No, I won't give in till I reach the end
And then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I want to try everything
I want to try even though I could fail
I won't give up
No, I won't give in till I reach the end
Then I'll start again
No, I won't leave
I want to try everything
I want to try even though I could fail"

Try everything my friends!  Don’t ever be afraid to fail. Over the past 13 years, you have come so far and accomplished so much.

Remember those accomplishments…  the ones you have achieved in the classroom…  the ones you have demonstrated in service to others, and the successes you have demonstrated on the athletic fields, courts, and stages across our district. These accomplishments have been nothing short of extraordinary.

As you move to the next stage of life, I have a few parting words of advice.

• Never give up on your dreams. 
• If you want something… Go for it! 
• Work hard and discover what you are really made to do… your calling in life.  
• Never confuse a job that will pay you… with a career that will fulfill you. 
• Seize opportunities… or you will end up admiring those who did.

And finally, take the precious TIME you have to Enjoy this one last stop…  For it is How you spend your time that will help define who you are… and who you will become. 

Class of 2022! It has been an honor to be your principal. I am so proud of you all… And I can’t wait to see all you go on to accomplish. 

At this time, it is my distinct honor to welcome Mr. Patrick Talty, Vice President of the Board of Education. 

“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.”  ~Jeremy Irons

For the past 19 years I have been a building administrator in the Mineola Union Free School District. For the past seven, I have been the proud principal of Mineola High School. We have accomplished a lot as team during those past seven years, but most importantly, I have been blessed to have met and worked with the most amazing educators, families, and students! The relationships we have developed and the memories we have formed will last a lifetime. 

It has been a true honor!
Now... on to the next chapter!

Whittney Smith, Ed.D.
​#MineolaProud