Valedictorian 2002

President Ryan, honored platform guests, faculty, family and friends of graduates, and fellow graduates. I am honored to deliver the valedictory speech this evening.

Deep within you is a song that plays softly. A song you can hear only if you’re very quiet, and very still. Stop; take time to listen to the song of your soul. Than travel the road it leads you to. Let its melody carry you over your self-doubts and fears as you move ever forward on your true path

I, like many people, listened to the negativity in my head instead of connecting to the song within my soul. My mind believed I was dumb because of my inability to read well. This is the shame that governed my life and kept me locked in a very small world. I felt safe in this stagnant place because no one could find out how dumb I really was. At times I did try to break out. I took many reading courses, found different tutors and worked extremely hard with very little results. I thought there must be something wrong with my brain. I wanted to give up, but my inner song urged me on. You are not dumb. You are not dumb. My continued search brought me to a diagnostic learning disabilities specialist. After a long battery of tests I found out, I am really not dumb. I am dyslexic! Now, at last, I stood in front of the right road.

Years later I heard my song calling me to a strange new fork in the road, the path of knowledge. I answered by buying a computer, learning how to turn it on and step-by-step learning how to use it. Next came the desire to create beautiful things with my computer, and then may be even change my career because of it. My mind told me it’s to late. You’re not smart enough. Stay in this nice safe job that you know and do so well. I stayed, but I was no longer content to be motionless as the world rushed on ahead of me. Frightened, I again answered my inner song.

Investigating brought me to RVCC where the learning disabilities counselor, Linda Baum, informed me of a new method for copping with dyslexia. She also pointed out the degree in Multimedia Communication thinking it might interest me. Immediately feeling this was the right path, I started learning the new dyslexic system with a wonderful tutor and registered for Multimedia Communication!

I had my moments of doubt, but most of my professors were encouraging in my times of need. The first, professor Kopit, taught my most dreaded subject, English one. He didn’t believe dyslexia made me incapable of expressing my thoughts, feelings, and conclusions in the written word. With his encouragement I started developing this new skill and found I loved it. Later, in English two, professors Ellen Diehl gave me a deeper appreciation for literature while helping me to refine my writing style. She also told me I have a poet’s soul. I was equally surprised when professor Valasek pointed out all the things I did right in my first presentation in speech class. With his help I gained the confidence I needed to develop another new skill, one I had never dreamed of trying. Leaning to writing and speaking well are unexpected bonuses for me. I am also leaving RVCC with the skill I came to learn, how to create art with my computer. Many professors helped me achieve this goal but professor Donna Stackhouse is the person that put the art into the technical aspect for me. She never expected anything from me but the best I could give. Then she showed me how to improve on it.

I am grateful to all my professors, first for the knowledge and new skills I have acquired and second for the confidence I have gained in myself. They were encouraging while challenging all of us to new heights. I am sure each of you has your own story of how a professor helped you see yourself in a new light, or brought out a talent you never knew you had. You may also have stories about being challenged to take that extra step to be the best that you could be. You have all met the challenge. That is why you are here tonight.

Now armed with new tools of knowledge we all stand ready to meet the many different challenges awaiting us in the big world outside of RVCC. Before charging forward onto an unknown path I would like to encourage each and every one of you to first stop. Take time to listen to the song of your soul. Then travel the road it leads you to. Let its melody carry you over your self-doubts and fears as you move ever forward on your true path.

Thank you and congratulations to all of you.

Valedictorian - Digital Fine Art Galleries