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Full Sail Graduation Speech

5 May

Last night I was digging through old hard drives for a video codec folder and I came across a speech I gave when I graduated from Full Sail Real World Eduction back in ‘03. My personal experience at the school was incredible. I enjoyed all the challenges, the students, and my instructors ( most of which I still keep in touch with). I walked out of there with an array of Digital Media skills and hands on experiences. On graduation day I received three of their highest accolades which were valedictorian, perfect attendance, and the advanced achievement award. The special thing about the advanced achievement award was that you had to be chosen by your peers and the faculty to receive it plus as an added bonus you were given the opportunity to speak to your peers on graduation day.

The Speech

Good afternoon and greetings to the honorable Full Sail graduates of July 2003, board of trustees, President Garry Jones, instructors, family and friends.

I am honored by the recognition of my achievement by the faculty of Full Sail and my peers, thank you.

I would like to give thanks to my Creator, my family, friends, and collogues for you all have been assets toward my becoming and essential in my movement towards the goals I have been pursuing for the past six years.

I read a quote once that said, True Happiness Is Too Have One’s Passion as a Profession. And that is precisely the reason why I stand before you today.

My journey through the Digital Media program has been far from a cake walk, indeed this time period has been an exhilarating, frustrating, anxiety causing, yet glorious expedition and today I celebrate – the total experience!.

My experience at Full Sail was a phenomenal one solely because of my classmates. For 14 months I was surrounded by a talented, diverse cadre of energetic folks, who were not afraid to “Make it Happen”; people that took each class as a challenge, whether they were happy about the class or not they still did what they had to do. Thank you for your positive energy, motivation, and inspiration.

Appreciation and gratitude goes out to my Course Directors and Lab Specialist for you have educated me to the fact that there is nothing I can’t do in a month or two. Thank you for taking me as seriously as I take myself and patiently answering my 10,000 or so questions in and out of class.

Integrity

Creativity

Courage

Positive Attitude

High Work Ethic

Innovation

And

Sweat equity

…these are the attributes I believe are embodied in, what I like to term as the Full Sail Mentality.

The curricula at Full Sail, within all of the degree programs, is not for the weak, or the lazy, and in my opinion was truly designed especially for those serious about their dream. It was designed for those of us [sitting here today] who were not and are not afraid to pursue excellence. One of the beautiful things about life is that there is always a choice. Sometimes you’ve got to choose between something bad and something worse, but that is usually preparation for the priceless life lessons which lie ahead. The key is to be aware of these lessons and apply them to your way of living. Recently I’ve become aware of the fact that everything I’ve been through, the good, the bad and the ugly, prior to this very moment has prepared me to ascend to new levels of professional commitment, to expand my horizons, and to be ready to accept the new challenges ahead. Once again I thank you for the advanced achievement award, my fellow graduates I salute you, good luck in this bad economy and a great life to each of you. Let’s Continue to Make It happen.

Thank You.