A Very Special Honor: Speaking at a College Graduation

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, I got to experience a college graduation. But it wasn’t my own—that’s still two years away.

Instead, I was asked to be the commencement speaker at Luzerne County (Pa.) Community College, which had just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

I was so honored to be invited! I know it’s rare for someone my age (and still a college student) to be a graduation speaker, but Joanie Minor, the assistant to the school president, had seen my appearance on The Doctors in January and felt I had a message that would benefit Luzerne’s graduates.

This speech was the longest one I’d ever given! But I found myself sharing a lot of the same thoughts I’ve shared with Shriners and Shriners Hospitals patients over the past few years. I think these things really do apply to everyone, regardless of age: remember that every situation is temporary; know that only you get to define you; and realize that your scars are part of your story and deserve to be embraced.

Here’s an article recapping the entire ceremony. As great of an experience as it was for me, though, the event wasn’t about me!

So, I want to take a moment and once again congratulate the 2018 graduating class at Luzerne County Community College. Opportunity is out there waiting for you. Grab it and don’t look back!