Seekonk High School, the 'Stepping Stone to the Rest of Our Lives'

Seekonk High School Salutatorian Liliana Sykes encouraged her classmates to make mistakes and take risks during her graduation speech to the Class of 2011 at Seekonk High School Friday night. But, she said about mistakes, they are essential to success in life. 

Here is what she had to say. Below is a copy of her speech.

"Teachers, administrators, faculty, family, friends and most importantly the Class of 2011, welcome. Tonight we are here to recognize the students graduating today. The day we never thoguht would come, is finally here; we've made it. 

"The first day of high school seemed like the beginning of 'everything.' Suddently to a bunch of fourteen year olds, opportunities were endless and accessible. We quickly found our niches-clubs we liked, the sports we wanted to play, the instruments we practiced endlessly, and challenging classes. In the process, we snagged two first-place Spirit Week wins, danced together on a boat, laughed together, picked each other up when we were down and even had a water war in the parking lot. We thought we were forging a new path, thinking outside of the box. 

"But, in some instances, high school became a calculated equation and each person had an important funtion in that equation. To survive in high school you stick to what you know–and that's exactly what we did. 

"But when I truly thought about this idea I became discouraged – what is the point of learning and growing if you only explore what's comfortable? How are you supposed to move forward if you simply stand still? Growing up is not solely made up of your accomplishments and your "proudests moments." More importantly, it is made up of the series of embarrassments, risks and errors you make. More often than not, you need to make a fool out of yourself to be truly proud of what you can accomplish. You need to make mistakes. 

"We've been making errors for years. When we were babies we had to fall down twenty times before we could tak our first step. At five, we had to touch the hot stove before we realized we should't touch it. As teenagers we had to push the limits with out parents before we learned it would get us grounded if we did. Life is built on making errors and the knowleged derived from them. Mistakes are essential. 

"As I started to write, I began to think maybe my idea for this speech was a mistake. How could I stand up in front of a huge number of people and declare failing is a great way to learn? So, like any other teenager in the 21st century, I turned to Google to back up my thoughts. After clicking link after link I stumbled upon a story. In the seventies a man named Spencer Silver decided he was going to make the world's strongest glue. He failed miserably. Instead of creating a powerful glue, he ended up creating a weak adhesive, which could be easily lifted off surfaces.

"Years later someone found the glue and attached it to choic music after it kept falling off the markers. Suddenly, Silver was a genius. His weak glue was spread on tiny pieces of paper tha could easily be ripped off exteriors. Now, we cannot imagine our lives without post-it notes!

"Silver's risk and failure at first seemed like mistake and a complete waste of time. But, in the end it turned out to be a game-changing invention. You have to fall on your face to get back up again. You need to take risks to succeed. Success is not abut certainty – or comfort. It's about hope, determination, and the crazed will to do what you want to do. It's about knowing you may fail or make a mistake–and that's okay.

"Life affords you the terrifying opportunity to create your own education and experiences. Take advantage of the opportunities it gives you. Make mistakes. Take risks. Audition for a play when you've never acted, try out for an intramural sport you've never played, take a philosophy class, travel abroad, or learn a new language. It may be a mistake you may fail but always believe in your capabilities and your ability to reach success. 

"Life is scary. And ever day we are going to be met with moments and challenges that seem impossible. Seekonk High School has been a safe place, the perfect stepping stone to the rest of our lives. Now is the time to leap into the big scary world and make mistakes. Remember in all the challenges you face you always know you are part of Seekonk High School's ONLY Class of 2011. Remember to make errors, whether or not you are afraid of the failure that may come. And if you think you might forget, maybe write it down on a post-it!  Congratulations Class of 2011, we did it!"