Commencement Address (Class of 2021)

May 23, 2021

Four years ago, I enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak at Cannon School’s graduation ceremony. Our youngest son, Eliott, graduated that day. It was an honor to be on the stage with the Class of 2021 as they accepted their diplomas and set off on the next stage of their journeys! We started that morning with a Langston Hughes poem…

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May 23, 2021

Cannon School Commencement Address

Kid in the Park

Lonely little question mark

On a bench

In the park:

See the people passing by?

See the airplanes in the sky?

See the birds flying home before dark?

Home’s just around

the corner

there —

But not really

anywhere.

- By Langston Hughes

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• It is a great honor to be with you all this morning. It’s a great honor to address this kind, optimistic, and resilient, graduating class – many of whom Nicole and I have gotten to know as Eliott’s classmates and friends!

• Speaking of Nicole -- if I may offer one more message of thanks from our family

Thank you if – over the past 14 years -- you taught, advised, mentored, coached or in some way supported and cared for our children – Chloe, Jake, Ben, and Eliott – and our granddaughter, Jackie.

Nicole and I have a deep and profound respect for the passion and kindness you have demonstrated toward our children over the years. And, I think I speak for all of the parents sitting with us today when I say thank you for all you have done for our children and for our families.

Your commitment to your students and your student athletes is simply amazing.

Our ability to demonstrate our gratitude is limited – but the appreciation we feel in our hearts is absolutely boundless. Thank you.

(Magnus App)

Greetings

Good morning!

• Parents and Stepparents

  • (some of whom are attending their final Cannon graduation – and some who are attending their first!)

• Grandparents (My in-laws, Charley and Susan)

• Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins

(good to see the school’s legal counsel is on site today…)

Good Morning:

• Faculty and Staff

• All the sound, video, and photography crews that are here today – what a production! -- Welcome to Cannon School

Good morning:

• The millions who are tuned in via livestream from around the world this morning

• We’re here on the Bryant Green, surrounded by these growing trees, the sounds of birds – all under this beautiful, blue Carolina sky!

Good morning:

• Most importantly, the 114 members of this – Cannon School’s Class of 2021. Today is all about you!

Good Morning!

(to students, away from lectern, across the stage)

• Good morning, Seniors!

• What’s up?

• How is everybody?

• You’re all up so early!

• Are you ready for this?

This is beautiful – look out there!

Take a photo! (wait, they took your phones? WHAT?? No wonder you’re crying…)

• Can you see your family out there?

• Wave to them! Say hey!

• This is going to go by quickly this morning – so try to take it all in. Enjoy it.

(return to lectern)

(just got a text from Scott Manni – NYTimes article on the importance of brevity in graduation speeches…)

Journeys

We talk a lot about journeys at Cannon School. “Journeys of growth” is, in fact, is a phrase found in our mission statement. While products and destinations certainly matter, we feel strongly that the process – the journey – is where the action is! In our time together this morning, I hope to take a look at how your journeys at Cannon have prepared you for your journey ahead.

1. Your journey to Cannon

2. Your journey at Cannon

3. Your journey beyond Cannon

But first…let’s look at Cannon School’s journey

Cannon School: Someplace Special

When I was a kid in Pittsburgh they had a marketing campaign for the city. Pittsburgh: Someplace Special (Cleveland: Go Someplace Else)

Cannon School really is “someplace special”

• Started as Cabarrus Academy in 1969

• Moved to this campus – Craig Acres – in 1998 (sic) (1994)

These buildings represent the journey – Taylor Hall, etc.

• Jane Foil Taylor – was one of the early organizers who – in the late 1960s – joined a group of Concord parents to take the first steps to establish what opened as Cabarrus Academy in 1969

• Along the way, the Cannon community has taken on the feel of a family.

• Like no other community that I have known, Cannon School’s culture is built on a foundation of optimism, hope, and possibility.

• When the world presents its usual challenges, Cannon is a place where the expectation is to be positive, optimistic, and kind.

• For many of us, students, parents, AND employees, Cannon School becomes a home away from home. Sort of a shelter from the storm.

Think about it this way -- At Cannon:

• We rarely say “we can’t”

• We often say “let’s try”

I love how our children – our students -- internalize that optimistic and positive spirit. I know this class in front of us today has!

(Eliott – Is Mr. Jones looking at his watch yet?)

(Pause)

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Your Journey to Cannon

Let’s take a quick look back and see how you all ended up on this stage together today in the first place!

• This is Cannon’s largest graduating class in history

• Cannon’s first graduating class in 2002 had 14 graduates

• It has been fascinating to see Cannon grow over the years!

(away from lectern, 2 lists)

You come from 3 countries and at least 12 states:

The countries:

1. The Bahamas (fishing trip, Deuce?)

2. Canada (Maple Leafs tickets, Ruby?)

3. China (The eclipse and moonpies)

A dozen States:

• Florida

• Georgia

• Kentucky

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Seattle Washington

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin

• And of course…

• Salisbury, North Carolina

Oh – and let’s not forget Michael Dickens. When Michael – whose family is related to the Cannons -- started at Cannon, he was living in the house on Union Street where Cabarrus Academy started.

When did you get here? 2007 - 2021

(instruct students to stand as their group is called)

• JrK – 2007 -- (Driver’s License and Teddy Bear Picnic with Mrs. Krusell and Mrs. Perkins. Henry Lark and Mr.Gossage’s warm hand.)

• Kindergarten – 2008 – (Mrs. Royal, Mrs. Olearczyk)

• Grades 1 – 4 – 2009 -- (Recorders, The Zoo, Earthshine, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts) (“Dennis”) (Camping with George Griffith)

• Grades 5-8 – (Lockers, Robotics, Advisory Games, Mr. Riley’s hot air balloons, Athletics, and Middle School theater!)

• Grades 9-12 – (House Games, Outward Bound in the rain, Boston in the rain, Remote learning, Senior Prom in the rain…)

• This year – as seniors – you welcomed Penelope! Welcome to Cannon, Penelope. Though your time with us was short, please know that you are forever member of the Cannon School family! – Cannon is your home!

(Back to lectern)

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Your Journey at Cannon

What have you been doing at Cannon?

Think back on all that you have attempted, experienced, and learned together here at Cannon:

• Sight words

• Reading!

• Math facts

• State Capitals

• Recorders

• Mrs. Northrup’s science class

• Mr. Hoffman’s history class

• The Outback

• JoeTro at his worst

• Mr. Booker at his best

• Keith West and Keith West 2.0

• Everything Mrs. Huffman’s threw at you

• AP this and AT that

You’ve survived your teachers, those most annoying Freshman, and – above all -- Your parents!

When I think of this class –

Three hallmarks of your journey at Cannon – from my perspective as a parent and as Director of Admission – are:

• Your optimism

• Your resilience

• Your kindness

Optimism

I’m reminded of the line in Jess Ekstrom’s book, Chasing the Bright Side. Jess graduated from Cannon in 2009 and is living proof of the idea that striving for good leads to success and happiness.

“Optimism is that place where you can see and understand the bad but we still believe there can be good. And, most importantly, optimism fuels the belief that we can be the ones to create the good the world needs”

Just think of all that you’ve accomplished – because of your optimism -- during a pandemic!

While the rest of the world has been struggling with a pandemic, you and your classmates have been growing, thriving, and doing good things!!!

1. Completely changed the way you interact with teachers and classmates via remote learning

2. Won State Championships in girls golf, boys golf, boys basketball, girls basketball. Talk about Leaving a Legacy!

3. Softball and Volleyball also had great seasons!

4. The Sound of Music – The green screen edition!

5. Completed a College search process like no other

6. Capstones

7. A new girls Lacrosse team!

Talk about optimism!

Resilience

Why did I start with that poem today?

Because it’s the only poem I have memorized??

1. First – because it references a child’s journey

2. Second – it represents a strategy that some of us use to foster resilience

Langston Hughes, in fact, used writing as an outlet.

“For ten years I had been a writer of sorts, but a writer who wrote mostly because, when I felt bad, writing kept me from feeling worse; it put my inner emotions into exterior form, and gave me an outlet for words that never came in conversation." – Langston Hughes

At our most challenging times we all benefit from having a go-to activity to help us regroup and rejuvenate.

o For me, it’s poetry and writing

o Going into that space where I can process the world through writing helps me recharge and, in turn, increase my levels of resilience

o If we never give ourselves the opportunity to regroup – we can get run down by the daily grind – reducing our capacity to move forward

Your class – and the individuals that make up your class – demonstrates this as well as any group I’ve seen. Think about it.

We’ve seen you use:

• Athletics

• Exercise

• Dance

• Theater

• Writing

• Painting

• Drawing

• Music

• Cooking

• Baking

• Hiking

• Biking

• Disc golf

• Mindfulness

• And so many more

It’s no accident that The Arts, Physical Education, and Athletics are such a significant part of every student’s journey at Cannon.

You have taken full advantage of these – and developed impressive resilience building strategies. I promise you they will continue to make a difference going forward.

(Eliott – is grandpa sleeping? Is mom crying?)

All of this is great, but none of it matters if we can’t be kind to each other

Kindness

1. We can’t control how others treat us

2. But we CAN control how we treat others

3. You have shown us what Kindness looks like at Cannon

4. In fact, Kindness was added as a core value during your time here

5. C-TRIP became C-TRIPK

6. Your capstones show us the benefits of serving others

7. Kindness toward others can change the tenor of a relationship

8. So, as I read on the internet -- In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind.

As the Pittsburgh’s most famous resident, Mr. Rogers, once said:

“There are three ways to ultimate success:

• The first way is to be kind.

• The second way is to be kind.

• The third way is to be kind.”

(Dad, Can you Venmo me some money for lunch?)

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So, What’s next?

Let’s finish up looking ahead to Your Journey Beyond Cannon

Are you ready to go?

YES!!

As your family, and as your teachers and coaches, we’ve been watching you prepare for this moment since the day you arrived at Cannon.

It’s natural to be sitting here today feeling uncertain or unsure about the year ahead. (Parents – that includes you!)

But here’s the thing -- We believe in you!

I’m reminded of the advice offered by that elusive American hero, Bigfoot:

“Some folks won’t believe in you. Some folks will. Either way, ya gotta believe in yourself.” - Bigfoot

Everyone surrounding you here today believes in you and knows you are ready for what’s ahead.

No doubt, there will be Challenges along the way

So, as you set out to navigate and address these, remember what you learned here at Cannon:

o Algebra, and Chemistry, and History? sure

o Literature, poetry, and Writing? ABSOLUTELY!

But also, remember to tap into the things that have helped you get this far:

• Your optimism

• Your resilience

• Your kindness

You’ve done all you can here – and you are ready for what lies ahead.

“Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.”
-Drake (The Canadian Rapper, not your classmate)

We are confident that your time at Cannon has prepared you for the next stop on your journey.

(pause)

All you have to do now is walk across this stage, accept your diploma, and step off toward the next part of your journey.

As you do, keep in mind:

1. Cannon is your home away from home.

2. You are family here.

3. From the lifers to Penelope – and everybody in between.

4. You are always welcome here.

Class of 2021, Eliott, Cannon Community, it’s been an honor being with you today. This experience is something I will always cherish and never forget.

(Speaking to the Class of 2021)

We know it’s time for you to go. And we are already looking forward to the times when you will come back and let us know how it’s going out there.

Remember -- no matter what happens --

· We’re proud of you.

· We believe in you.

· And, most of all, we love you.

Please help me celebrate Cannon School’s Class of 2021!

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Cannon School Class of 2021