Editors' Note: The following commentary was adapted from a keynote speech delivered by the author at Bartlett High's 2016 commencement ceremony in Anchorage on May 10.
As much as I love a stage, this is your night, so I will be brief as I can. I do have one more thing to teach you before the world welcomes you.
This is going to be a hard lesson for me to deliver today. It is the last time I will address you as your teacher, Ms. Hamilton. Kiddos, the bad news is there's going to be a test; the good news is you can't possibly fail. I got you. This right here is for more than participation credit, this is for your life credit. So let's lay it out.
Lesson: You are the hero in your own life story.
Objective: Live your life like it's golden. (How many of you know the Jill Scott song "Golden"? Nevermind, y'all can ask Siri about it later.)
Directions: You don't need your paper or pencil, but listen closely.
Every day you write your story. I need you to understand the power in those words. Every day you write your story.
The story is about you, that means you're the protagonist. And the protagonist is the hero. (That mini vocab lesson is a bonus.) Every day you are the hero — because this is your story. And you. Are. Writing. The. Story.
Y'all ask me all the time how come I'm so happy. It's because all day long, I remind myself that I'm a hero — and then I act like it. You know what I do and who I am. I'm not going to stay down for long. I've got work to do. I'm a hero, and I've got to act like it. You with me? You feel me, right?
Now here's your prep for the exam: Every day find a way to make yourself triumphant in your story. It's so easy too! You are the hero. That means you come out the winner or the story ain't over — because it's your story. That's the best superpower in the world!
There will be plot twists, surprises, guest appearances, betrayals, reconciliations, joy, love lost, love gained and more. You will have many options in any given scenario. Life is your own personal choose-your-own adventure.
If you don't like where the plot is heading: Set different intentions, write a different plan, make the choices and take the steps you have to. Do that to always come out where you want to be in your story.
And lean in close, 1-2-3 eyes on me … Don't let other people write your story. You call the shots. You make the choices. You do the work. You define the terms of your own success. Because this is your story. You are the hero.
All you graduates are dressed up in these statement-making uniforms like some … wait for it … heroes.
And once you have your diploma in your hands, you'll have the evidence you need to certify your hero status. No matter the path you took to get here, in this moment, my friends — you are triumphant and thus a hero. The world has been waiting for you, and it's time for you to be incredible.
You are my heroes. On behalf of myself and the world, I thank you for your service to yourselves and each other. We need you.
Jill Scott said she was "living (her) life like it's golden." Me too. It's the only one I got. I have to be bold. I have to reach for incredible every day. I've got to be a hero in my own story. And now friends, it's time for you to join me.
To review, repeat after me:
I write my story.
Because I am a hero.
Because I am a hero,
I am triumphant.
And now, I give you the only answer you need to succeed on this test, the test of life: You. Are. Already. Triumphant because you are here.
Here's to your stories, to the victories you will write for yourselves. In this life, you are triumphant. You are heroes.
The world is waiting for you. And how lucky we are all you've arrived.
Antavia "Tavie" Hamilton-Ochs is an author, teacher, education enthusiast and creator of Bartlett High School's #MagicSquad. Learn more at www.crazypinkteacher.com and on social media @AntaviaHamilton.
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