Valedictorian's Speech: Class of 2011 Should Tap Their Full Potential

Valedictorian, Chris Kuo, challenged his peers, the class of 2011, to change the world. His speech, which was delivered at the Montville Township High School graduation ceremony, held on June 22, is reprinted here in its entirety.

Students, teachers, family, friends, and all others here with us, it’s my pleasure to talk to you tonight. My topic: the future. Yes, I’m talking about that mysterious, hopeful, and unavoidable time that is both soon and far away. But before we take one step forward, let’s take two giant steps back just for one moment and think about Disney. Surprisingly, even after all of these years, the lessons and messages from Disney Channel and its kid-stars still apply to us and our future. So, I think we should all take a second to hear them out.

In their song “Send It On,” Disney’s Friends for Change tell us, “If we take the chances to change circumstances, imagine all we can do.” Naturally, when I heard that, I stopped and thought about these words. I imagined what we, the class of 2011, could do if each and every one of us just tapped into his or her full potential. So many great accomplishments came to mind that I had to take a break and let my brain rest for a little bit. I really do think that we are capable of making the words of this song come true. Disney has never lied to us before, so let’s make sure that stays true (at least for the sake of our younger brothers and sisters) by doing amazing things.

Now, taking a step forward, I feel obligated to mention something about college because that will make up the future of many of us for the next two or four years. There are so many headlines from different schools about how this year’s high school graduates coming in during the fall make up the strongest class ever at each college. And I have to say, I agree, because the majority of us contribute to these facts. Even for those who do not continue their education and seek to pursue a different path, I still believe that our class as a whole is extremely strong. I mean, there is absolutely no doubt we know how to hit the gym and get big. Oh, and we have a lot of mental strength, too. It doesn’t stop here, with that either. I know we will “work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger” as Kayne (West) would say. Luckily for me, he isn’t here to take my mic and say it himself.

As for beyond the next few years, that is where my psychic powers run dry. By then, each one of us will take our own unique path forward in life to do whatever it is that we truly love. It could be sports, music, art, science, writing, or really anything, including opening your own ice cream shop. Regardless, the world better be ready for the change that we will bring. Like Selena Gomez says, “Who says you're not star potential? Who says you're not presidential? Who says you can't be in movies? Who says you won’t pass the test? Who says you can't be the best?” As valedictorian, I actually have an answer to this one―it’s nobody, at least nobody whose opinion matters more than your own. Regardless of who says you cannot do something, only you can decide your fate. So, always remember to not be your own worst enemy in the future because nothing else can hold you back. With all of the lessons that we learned during high school, whether it came from friends, family, or teachers, I am confident that we are well set for the future. Honestly, I cannot wait to see all that our class will do in the next few years, but I am sure it will be interesting.

Anyway, it has been very nice speaking to you all these last few minutes. Before I go, I want to give one final message: To the class of 2011, I wish you all good luck, and I hope you all take it easy and just be happy.