Live your life like the masterpiece you are.
That was the advice from the selected faculty graduation speaker, Ed Timm, to the graduating class of 2025.
Timm explained that through most of our lives, we live our lives as washing machines.
“There’s nothing wrong with washing machines,” Timm said. “Except they do one thing and do that very well.”
The issue becomes when those machines break. Suddenly, that skill you’ve devoted to a career that was your identity evaporates because you’re no longer doing that thing well.
Timm held up a handprint turkey piece of art to drive home the importance of his message.
“This piece may not be the most important thing in the world for everyone,” Timm said. “But to some people in the world who see this piece this one person made, that was a masterpiece. We should be living a life as a masterpiece, doing the things that make us shine for others, not just as a washing machine.”
Betsy Louwagie was one of two student speakers for the class of 2025. Louwagie had a list of 10 reasons Mount Vernon class of 2025 will be successful in the future. Those skills included “being able to google or ask Siri, having a playlist for everything, knowing the value of team effort, being comfortable with change, being adaptable, understanding the importance of balance, having an amazing support system, knowing the importance of helping others, being excited to pursue their dreams and passions and being ready to make a difference.
“We’ve learned so much, made so many amazing friends and figured out some of our strengths and weaknesses,” Louwagie said. “Now we are ready to use all of these tools and go and be successful as we go and change the world.”
Natalie Thuerauf was the second student speaker for the class of 2025.
Thuerauf said one of the biggest pieces of wisdom she got at school came in her ninth grade year, auditioning for the school musical. Director Tom Stephens said “you’re always auditioning.”
“I remember when he said it, I was a five foot freshman and intimidated,” Thuerauf said. “It wasn’t until I sat down to write this speech that I really thought about what it meant. This one simple phrase that seemed so insignificant actually means so much more. It means you are auditioning for things for the rest of your life. From scholarships, to job interviews, internships and making new friends. You even audition for a date.”
Thuerauf said that advice and the advice of other teachers are what helps make every graduate who they are today and ready to make the next steps in the world.
“You are going to be a student for life,” Thuerauf said. “You are always going to be learning, whether you go to college, trade school, the military or straight to the work force. Life is all about learning. There might be days that go by that you never think about these four years in high school, but I can promise you there won’t be a day that goes by that you aren’t learning.”
Superintendent Matt Leeman left students with two things to keep in mind moving forward – live your life with character and be courageous.
When it came to character, Leeman said that is what people will most remember about a person after school, not all the grades or awards they earned, but the way they live their lives when no one is watching.
“Hopefully you got a start on that life here these past four years,” Leeman said.
When it came to courage, Leeman encouraged students to not wait for something to be 100 percent safe before taking a leap.
“Life is going to be filled with choices where people will always regret not taking a leap or a chance, not the choices they did make,” Leeman said.