I had tons of people asking me about my my commencement address I gave at Mt. Clemens High School on June 2, 2010. I know everyone has been bitting their nails in anticipation of what random inapropriateness I had to say, so here you are!

It is so exciting to be here today celebrating Mt. Clemens High Schools graduating class of 2010!

I would like to thank Dr. Muncachy, Mr. Bruce and Mrs Campau for inviting to be a speaker here today.

I know what you guys are thinking… “who is this 17-year-old posing as this year’s commencement speaker?”

Don’t worry, I am definitely pushing thirty, and there are a few teachers here today can vouch for me…like Ms. Clemens and Ms. Volz.

Just a decade ago, I was right where you are right now. ..only difference was I was WAAAY COOLER!

Instead of being “All the way turned up” I was “All about the Bejamins” Diddy was Puff Daddy or P-Diddy or Puffy or something.

And during this portion of the ceremony I was twiddling my thumbs, thinking about how I couldn’t wait to get to college so I could get in somebody’s nightclub and order something on “the rocks”, get a tattoo, and stay out all night.

Sorry parents, it’s the truth. Even with my 3.9 GPA and full ride scholarship to Kent State…I did it.

Sometimes, even surrounded with the most supportive team someone cannot live up to their ultimate potential. Honestly, I can say that many people that I sat next to at my graduation, didn’t. You can have the best teachers, the most supportive parents and still not achieve you full potential.

Although, there were times in my life I did make mistakes. Everyone does. But, mistakes or setbacks don’t have to stop you from reaching your ultimate potential.

My parents had me on a short leash and had high expectations for me. I am the 4^th generation in my family to graduate from college. If I remember correctly, I think all the way up to 11th grade I could only go 2 houses to the right and three to the left—because you know those people who stayed in that white house were crazy, and on top of it my mom worked in the district so I couldn’t get away with anything…ever.

Needless to say, once I went to college I did explore, and when I graduated I was pregnant with my daughter. Many people would have used that as an excuse, a reason to give up or just stay stagnate, but, I knew I was blessed with a gift and I would be doing a disservice to myself and to God if I didn’t press forward.

I was responsible for shaping my future and how successful or unsuccessful I was going to be in life.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your success.

We are living in a tough time right now. I don’t need to stand here and explain to you the trouble that we are facing you can turn on the TV and see what is happening all around you. But you are guys are lucky.

Your families, your teachers, and everyone in your life have done everything they can to make sure you have what you needed to get to this day.

Now, it’s time for you to do your part… So you need to get serious. Think beyond your 5 mile radius, your dreams don’t have to stop in the Clem or East of 8 mile.

Right now I am calling on you, the graduates to stand and show the world the value and worth of the life that you are living.

Small thinking and small doing should make you uncomfortable. So, learn to become allergic to mediocrity.

Using Your Gift

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That is what opportunities, exploration and education and the practice of a craft can provide you.

My first Job right after graduation from college was at the voice newspaper in New Baltimore. It was a small weekly paper, which I provided the majority of the content for. The biggest story I ever wrote back then was about sidewalks…the city wanted them, the residents didn’t. I know…a far cry from CNN’s top story.

From there I went on the Channel 7 WXYZ where I was able put together coverage and write about the Detroit mayoral scandal, the Stephen Grant Case and field producing for the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Detroit Grand Prix.

And who would have thought that working with a bunch of fatties at Weight Watchers would help my writing career so much. It’s okay don’t worry I can say fattie I am a big loser down 40 pounds with the WW. Writing for the company’s CEO Florine Mark has allowed me to motivate thousands of people to live the best life the can, campaign for our nation’s President Barack Obama and current Mayor of Detroit Dave Bing and learn a little Hebrew. Mazel Toff!

If it wasn’t for these things, these experiences… I would have never been able to write a screenplay for a national theatrical release. I would not be able to continue to expand my horizons and try new and different things.

In the real world that is where you start. You won’t graduate from college and be Anderson Cooper, Oprah or Bill Gates. You’re not going to record a song on your Macbook and hit the top of the billboard charts right away.

The big breakthrough in the search of success comes when one recognizes one’s talent. We look at other people and marvel at their success. You go around saying I want to be like Lebron James or you want Kim Kardashian’s booty—no matter how fake it is. We are solely impressed with their talent, abilities or looks. We think they are different from us; that, somehow they belong to another species which we are not a member of. We look everywhere else outside, rather than looking inside ourselves and identifying the assets hiding within us.

There may be acres of diamonds in our own backyard and we may be hunting for diamonds all over the desert. Make sure you know the diamonds you possess. This is a good time to take the inventory.

It Ain’t Easy

Anything worth having isn’t going to be easy. But that shouldn’t stop you from aiming high. Magic Johnson said it best when he spoke at Wayne State last week saying “Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you should have poor dreams”.

You’ve gotta learn to not sweat the small stuff. There are going to be road blocks, bumps, sometimes you’re going to go right when you’re supposed to go left. That’s life.

I am sure everyone has heard the saying anything worth having takes hard work. I mean think about it, the odds of someone making it to the NBA are slightly better than one in a million. Lebron James didn’t go from the high school to the pros because of sheer talent. He worked hard to be great. During the off season, when he travels the country for commercial appearances, while other athlete’s party he’s at the gym shooting until he makes no less than 400 shots. He has unscheduled practice time on cold winter nights. This man’s worth ethic is unreal. That is why he is great.

So, even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself.

Sacrifice

Success really all depends on what you are willing to sacrifice. If you’re willing to change or alter your lifestyle to succeed you will receive something far better than instant gratification. This success is LONG TERM.

Remember, not everybody is going with you. Some people and things you will have to leave behind. But don’t sweat it, it and they were just dead weight anyway. Turn to the person next to you and tell them…K-I-M (keep it moving).

Giving Back

As you move forward, don’t forget to take some of your time to give back.

Mentorship is so important.

Someone stuck out their hand to you, to help, to guide you. They didn’t necessarily have a college degree or a portfolio but they maybe had some kind words that helped you along your way. Everything counts. You can be someone’s mentor starting today. You can make a difference in someone’s life.

I caught up with Jamie, a mentee of mine who I met at Cass Technical High School who now is a sophomore at Michigan State a few weeks ago. She told me that something I told her stopped her from getting into a lot of trouble recently, and I couldn’t figure out what it could be.

She told me,

During a crazy newsroom day at channel 7, I randomly told her to never argue with anyone in a newsroom, we all think we know everything. Just play your role.

Jamie said that was the one thing that stopped her from socking her camera man on a shoot.

Jamie is finished this semester at MSU on the deans list.

You never know who might need your words of wisdom or your guidance. To receive guidance, wisdom, and inspiration from others is a priceless contribution that is not often afforded to those who need it most. So, don’t save it up, share it.

Conclusion

Music has always been a motivator for me. So, fittingly I have come up with a collection of lyrics that I am quite sure you will find helpful along the way.

I know you just want to “BE SUCCESSFUL” but before you go ahead say “OH LET’S DO IT” or “Have a party in the USA’ … Take some time and think before you “THROW IT ALL IN THE BAG”.

When setting goals remember that, “You’ve gotta live with your dreams…so don’t make them so hard”

Everybody, is not going to like you. That is life. So, remember to “Dance up on them haters… & Keep getting funky on the scene” because whether your high or low you gotta tip on the tight rope.’ So it is best to just keep doing you.

Dream Big, ‘cause when it happens…its gonna be real quick.

When you get down, go and steal your little sisters Hannah Montana posters and sing to yourself: “The struggles I’m facing, the chances I’m taking, sometimes they might knock me down, but no I am not breaking”.

And finally, I believe Drake summed it up best in Unthinkable by saying-

Life is what we make it. And a chance is like a picture, it’d be nice if u just take it.

Your success is only limited by your desire.

Congratulations class of 2010. You did it!