Commencement Speech: Just One Person

Delivered at Hampton Park Christian School on May 24, 2002.
All of you have probably heard a speech like this before. This is my version.

Just One Person

¹ Well, this is it – graduation! We’ve all been through a lot these last four years: tests, exams, banquets, book reports, physics projects, research papers, chemistry labs, Shakespeare plays, standing still for eternities while we get our pictures taken and finally the senior trip. I probably didn’t believe my homeroom teacher four years ago when she said that high school would fly by. The truth is it did. We are now finally graduating, and, diploma in hand, bringing our high school experience to a close, and many of you are probably wondering, “What now?”

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can change the world. Now that I’ve said that, you’re probably thinking, “Who, me? I’m just one person! What can I do?” History has shown that “just one person” can do a lot. George Washington was just one person, and he was instrumental in gaining freedom for our country. Christopher Columbus was just one person, and he led a voyage to open the door to a New World.

Just one person, William Shakespeare wrote many plays that are still enjoyed and studied today. Just one person, Albert Einstein, changed the scientific world with his famous equation E=mc² and his theory of relativity. Isaac Newton was just one person, and he formulated his laws of motion – laws that serve as the backbone to the realm of Physics.

It’s not just in the fields of art and science: others have made and impact with their athletic abilities. Everyone knows about the Basketball paragon Michael Jordan, and millions saw Mark McGuire break the homerun record in the year 2000. Millions of people watch such athletes on television, and children look up to them. They also end up on cereal boxes.

Many times God has used just one person to further His cause. One man, St. Paul, traveled abroad and wrote letters to further the message of Jesus Christ. Just one person shocked the religious community when Martin Luther nailed up his ninety-five theses. And one man, Billy Graham, has shared the message of Salvation with millions in his crusades. ²

It happens even in the most unlikely of fields, even in the world of food. Just one person, Julia Child, has shown millions of people how to cook gourmet food, and just one person, the chef Emeral Lagasse, has shown people to “kick it up a notch” in their dishes.

Maybe you’re saying to yourself, “I’m not good with math,” or “I can’t play baseball,” or “I not a good speaker.” There’s something you can do – some ability with which you’ve been blessed, and you can use that ability to change the world in some way. Each of you has the same degree of potential as the people I’ve mentioned today.

One person can also use that potential negatively and change the world for the worse. It took just one person to assassinate a member of royalty to trigger World War I. And in World War II, it took just one person to rally a nation together to commit some of the vilest atrocities the world has seen. It took just one person to take prayer out of schools, ruining the public school system. One person can also do nothing at all.

It’s up to you to decide what kind of impact you’ll leave on the world. There are several ways to further your potential.

You’ve already furthered it one way. You received a top notch Christian education in this fine institution of learning. And you can further it even more by continuing this education, in college for example.

Also, keep God in your life. The One who created you. The One in whom “all things consist.” The One who gave you your world-changing potential. St. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” God will guide you in life, help you in your endeavors and protect you from evil.

You’ve been given an opportunity to make an impact. It’s up to you to decide how you are going to use that opportunity. You can make a difference in the world. You are, after all, just one person.


Notes:
1 - I began this speech with a joke. I had been on the school newspaper staff for three years prior to graduation, and, for every issue, I wrote a "Top Ten List" similar to the ones on the Late Show with David Letterman. The joke was: "'Top Ten Advantages to Graduating'... Just kidding. Those of you who read my 'Top Ten Lists' in the school newspaper can appreciate that one."
2 - My speech was censored by the principal. He requested that I not mention Billy Graham, so I replaced this line with the following about the missionary David Livingston: "And one man, David Livingston is remembered for his missionary work in Africa."