TO THE CLASS OF 2015: “There is Nothing you Can’t Do”
On June 12, 80 seniors graduated at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in the 143rd commencement ceremony for OES.
DR. JAN PINKAVA
Te keynote speaker at graduation was Dr. Jan Pinkava. Dr. Pinkava is an Oscar®-winning writer and director,
known for Ratatouille (2007), Geri’s Game (1997), and
Toy Story 2 (1999). He has two children who attend OES, Tomas ’16 and Edward ’18, and he currently works with Google. Te following is an excerpt from his speech.
“Commencement speakers tell you that you are ready to ‘seize the day.’ Whatever life throws at you, you’re more than able to rise to the challenge. You’ll be just
fine. Tere’s nothing to worry about…that sort of thing. Tey’re just trying to scare you! It’s like the dentist
saying, ‘Open up. Relax. Tis won’t hurt a bit.’ But in your gut you’re scared, and all that reassurance really doesn’t help. Of course you’re not wrong. Life is, in fact, scary. And you can’t avoid the “F” word…Fear. Almost everything you see in the movies is about overcoming fear. Whether it’s Avengers 5 or
Star Wars 11, the climax of the movie has the heroes facing their darkest fears; doing battle with a villain who represents those fears. It’s the same with love stories,
except it’s fear of rejection: more personal and less violent. But it’s always about fear. Apparently, fear defines us. In life we have to take risks to achieve something significant. I mean reasonable risks, not foolish risks, like hang gliding. You know you’re doing something serious and important when you are afraid. So by all means be afraid. Be slightly
afraid. It’s appropriate. But you also have every reason to be confident.”
LIAM WOGAN ’15
Senior Liam Wogan was selected by his classmates to speak on behalf of the Class of 2015. He told a story that compared their journey toward graduation to climbing a mountain. Here is an excerpt from his speech.
“At certain points on this journey, I have felt like falling, felt like giving up. Along with being my inspiration, these people have been my carabiner, my support group, my Tom Handel, the smiling faces that I knew would be there when I got over each challenge, each hill. Going into the big world, you will all find new carabiners, new people that will be there for you through every challenge, but let’s not ever forget this incredible group of students who make up the Class of 2015. Generous and thoughtful, this tight-knit community that is my class will be a part of me through the rest of my life. And just because we don’t see each
other every day anymore, we still have each other to fall back on when we find adversity climbing up this next hill. Keep climbing, Class of 2015: there is nothing you can’t do.”
LEARN MORE:
www.oes.edu/ magazine
Watch videos of: • Graduation speeches
• Commencement highlights
Summer 2015 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42