BELIEVING IN ONESELF, Clara shares with us her 8th grade graduation speech: LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK. She takes us to the Emerald City ...
THEY STOOD ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK. Behind the Lion, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Dorothy, and Toto was the vast stretch of bountiful farmland, and in front of them was the Emerald City, sparkling brilliantly under the smiling sun. Behind them was the land of the Munchkins, who had provided amazing hospitality and prepared the four friends for the treacherous and exciting journey they were to embark on. In front of them was the dazzlingly bright city that towered above their heads, both intimidating and stunning. It held their dreams, their future, and all that they were fighting for. Before they could get there, however, they had to complete their march across the sun-colored bricks that stretched on for miles, like a glowing horizon.
WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE A JOURNEY. We, too, are leaving our familiar surroundings, the place where our dreams were nurtured and grown. Like Dorothy, we found friends that helped us through good times and bad times alike. Dorothy successfully reached the Emerald City, and in doing so, discovered a lot about herself and her friends. However, it was no easy task. She would not have been able to survive her journey if it weren’t for her friends and their special qualities. Like Dorothy, our journey will be successful if we learn how to use certain characteristics.
THEY STOOD ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK. Behind the Lion, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, Dorothy, and Toto was the vast stretch of bountiful farmland, and in front of them was the Emerald City, sparkling brilliantly under the smiling sun. Behind them was the land of the Munchkins, who had provided amazing hospitality and prepared the four friends for the treacherous and exciting journey they were to embark on. In front of them was the dazzlingly bright city that towered above their heads, both intimidating and stunning. It held their dreams, their future, and all that they were fighting for. Before they could get there, however, they had to complete their march across the sun-colored bricks that stretched on for miles, like a glowing horizon.
WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE A JOURNEY. We, too, are leaving our familiar surroundings, the place where our dreams were nurtured and grown. Like Dorothy, we found friends that helped us through good times and bad times alike. Dorothy successfully reached the Emerald City, and in doing so, discovered a lot about herself and her friends. However, it was no easy task. She would not have been able to survive her journey if it weren’t for her friends and their special qualities. Like Dorothy, our journey will be successful if we learn how to use certain characteristics.
THE SCARECROW DEMONSTRATES THE NECESSITY OF BRAINS. As everyone knows, intelligence is necessary to get through school. We have all had times when there were loads of homework—so much that we could barely keep awake to finish it. We have all felt the need to please our teachers, to show them that we are capable. We have all had sticky situations with friends. We all have something that we struggle with, whether it be writing, geometry, algebra, history, or athletics.
The reason we emerged successfully throughout these many situations is that we made wise decisions. The Yellow Brick Road will only become rockier, with even more twists and turns. The homework load may grow larger, the teachers will expect more of us, and we may engage in conflicts with friends. With brains, however, we will skillfully decide how to solve problems and hurdle over many obstacles.
THE COWARDLY LION SHOWS US THE NEED FOR COURAGE. After all, brains alone cannot get us through life. We are all here because we were able to face our difficulties. The Cowardly Lion would sometimes start crying and hide so that no one could see him. There were times when some of us felt like that, too. “I cannot pass this class”, “I won’t have any friends”, “I will never achieve my goals.” Obviously, we have crawled back out of that corner and faced our fears, or we would not even be here. We used to be the “new kids at school”. The eighth graders picked on us and we were overwhelmed by our new surroundings. Still, we faced these problems with courage and now we are the rulers of the school.
Now we will be entering high school, and we will once again have those challenges. However, we were able to face our fears once, and we will continue to do so. If we remember how we solved our problems by using courage, nothing will keep us from achieving our goals.
The reason we emerged successfully throughout these many situations is that we made wise decisions. The Yellow Brick Road will only become rockier, with even more twists and turns. The homework load may grow larger, the teachers will expect more of us, and we may engage in conflicts with friends. With brains, however, we will skillfully decide how to solve problems and hurdle over many obstacles.
THE COWARDLY LION SHOWS US THE NEED FOR COURAGE. After all, brains alone cannot get us through life. We are all here because we were able to face our difficulties. The Cowardly Lion would sometimes start crying and hide so that no one could see him. There were times when some of us felt like that, too. “I cannot pass this class”, “I won’t have any friends”, “I will never achieve my goals.” Obviously, we have crawled back out of that corner and faced our fears, or we would not even be here. We used to be the “new kids at school”. The eighth graders picked on us and we were overwhelmed by our new surroundings. Still, we faced these problems with courage and now we are the rulers of the school.
Now we will be entering high school, and we will once again have those challenges. However, we were able to face our fears once, and we will continue to do so. If we remember how we solved our problems by using courage, nothing will keep us from achieving our goals.
THE TIN WOODMAN WANTED A HEART. He proves that love and kindness are necessary to achieve great feats. Was there ever a girl in the hallway who dropped her binders and you helped her pick them up? Was there a boy who was being bullied and you told the bullies to leave him alone? Showing kindness towards others tells them that you are a good friend and a kind person to work with. They will be more than willing to do something for you, and you will acquire many friends who will help you through life. We must strive to be leaders. Not only will we be people who others admire, but we will be people who are loved, and not feared.
A heart, brains, and courage are all qualities one should bring while going on a journey. However, Dorothy demonstrates the most important trait of all; she shows that it is necessary to believe in oneself.
If Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow had not believed in themselves, they would never have traveled on the Yellow Brick Road. Even the great Wizard of Oz doubted that they could conquer the Wicked Witch; however, they were able to defeat her because they believed they could. At the end of this classic story, Dorothy realizes that if she only believes in herself, she will be able to reach what she most desires—to go home.
LOOKING BACK, we solved many problems, some because we had to, and some, because we chose to. To solve these problems, we used kindness, intelligence, courage, and we believed in ourselves. Throughout the next four years, and also throughout our entire lives, we must continue to use these traits. By doing so, we will be able to reach our goals, our Emerald City.
“That must be the Emerald City,” said Dorothy. As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter, and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels.”
A heart, brains, and courage are all qualities one should bring while going on a journey. However, Dorothy demonstrates the most important trait of all; she shows that it is necessary to believe in oneself.
If Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow had not believed in themselves, they would never have traveled on the Yellow Brick Road. Even the great Wizard of Oz doubted that they could conquer the Wicked Witch; however, they were able to defeat her because they believed they could. At the end of this classic story, Dorothy realizes that if she only believes in herself, she will be able to reach what she most desires—to go home.
LOOKING BACK, we solved many problems, some because we had to, and some, because we chose to. To solve these problems, we used kindness, intelligence, courage, and we believed in ourselves. Throughout the next four years, and also throughout our entire lives, we must continue to use these traits. By doing so, we will be able to reach our goals, our Emerald City.
“That must be the Emerald City,” said Dorothy. As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter, and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels.”
✶ LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK, was written by Clara and selected by a panel of teachers as the winning 8th grade graduation speech, which Clara delivered this past summer. For more on Clara, follow us this way. Clara is also a contributor at Four Days A Week. ✶
✶ A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily. November 2011. ✶
✶ HEART ART ABOVE: by Elaine Kean of Red or Gray Art. ✶
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