Here we are at graduation. That’s right, kids. School’s over! Now you’re in charge and you can really get some stuff done. You’re going to hear some inspiring speeches. Short ones, I hope, because all you really want to do is get on with graduation and your parents, family and friends are not all that comfortable in those folding chairs. Those speakers are going to tell you that the sky is the limit. There’s nothing you can’t do. They’re exactly right. There’s just one thing, though. You’ll have to work for it. Whatever your “why” is, your parents can’t do that for you any more, you’ll have to work for it.

Toby Stinson was the keynote speaker at the Midcoast School of Technology student recognition night and I thought his message was very powerful. While he stressed ‘do your best, keep learning’ and all that other stuff you’ll hear, he said it was OK to do all that right here where you grew up. There is so much talent right here in this area and so much potential, but kids (yes, we still consider you kids) don’t hear that message very often.

When Camden and Rockport high schools combined, I was in the first graduating class. You’re welcome to Google that and see when it was. It was a long time ago. Much like today, many of the kids felt their future was anyplace but the Midcoast and many moved away. They got educations and good paying jobs and shared at every class reunion how unhappy they were that they weren’t living here. We’re now at retirement age and some are moving back to the area that they love after spending their productive years living in some other place, doing something that they didn’t particularly care for. Don’t be that person.

For a very short time, I lived in another area when I was in the Navy, but except for that and some time on the road in a truck or an RV, I’ve laid my head on a pillow every night here in Midcoast Maine. I won’t lie to you. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always felt right. I think I’ve made a difference and that’s what life is all about. You graduates have a choice of making a difference and making money. You can do both, but only if you start with making a difference. You see the world is hungry for people like you and you have an advantage that the kids who graduated with me didn’t have. You can make a difference from just about anywhere, and this is about as good an anywhere as you can get.

I’m going to throw a little guilt on you now. You can move away and chase the dollar and build your own family far away from that family that raised you. It will take you a while to realize that that family is pretty important to you after all, but now you’re miles away, wrapped up in a job that makes you a lot of money but may or may not make you look forward to going to work. All the while, your parents don’t get to see you. They don’t get to see their grandkids. They hear about your accomplishments, but it’s by phone or Skype instead of over a campfire.

I’m very blessed that my kids are grounded here. My daughter got her education and moved away to gain experience in the field but returned after a short time. My son is an officer in the Navy and chose that career because it was something he believed in. His choice of career was based on making a difference and while we would love to have him just down the street, we’re proud that he’s happy and serving his country.

Paraphrasing Toby Stinson: Do your very best at whatever career you choose. Educate yourself as much as possible. Dedicate yourself to continuous learning long after formal education, but don’t be ashamed to make it here. I can tell you that it won’t be easy. You’ll have to hustle. You’ll have to save. That’s not all bad. Over my life, I have been offered several attractive opportunities that would have paid me serious money, but I would have had to live someplace else. I turned them all down. I just couldn’t see myself living every day someplace other than here.

If you’re looking for fame and fortune, go for it! The last thing I would do is hold you back. There is a big old world out there with opportunities around every corner and you deserve to get your piece of the pie. Just make sure that what you’re looking for is what you really want.

I started this by saying that we were at graduation, but in reality, its commencement. This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning. While you’re thinking, “I’m so glad this is finally over.” your parents are wondering where the time went. Everything up to this point is just preparing. Just getting ready. You’ve done what you’ve been told to do, but now you get to show the world who you really are. What you’re capable of. It’s not as important how you feel about your decisions a few years from now, but it’s really important to think about how those decisions are going to make you feel on your 50th class reunion. Choose wisely, my young friends. Choose wisely.