Musically Inclined

While my high school graduation ceremony was going underway, I waited patiently to be called. To be honest, I was quite nervous getting a speech in the first place. They could have ask anyone but my high school class chose me instead. No pressure, I guess.

My nerves have been all over the place when I received the news a couple of weeks ago. However, thanks to all the supportive system from helpful family and friends, along with Tracy's convincing, I was able and willing to accept it.

One of my dear (English) teachers, Mrs. Blake, was finishing up her speech about the unwritten and exciting future we are all about to that. If it weren't for my nerves acting up again, I would have heel the call. So instead, I just wanted for my name to be called.

"Now, fellow Cougars," started Mrs. Blake again, this time transitioning to a new speaker, aka me. "Representing Charleston Capital High School's student council, I give you West Virginia's Stuart Salisbury!"

Automatically the crowd applaud loudly as my now former teachers held out her hands towards me, signaling for me to go. At first, my feet were lead but after metaphorically chipping off some of it, I finally emerged and went to the podium.

Once there, Mrs. Blake gave me a firm handshake and proceeded to sit down with the rest of the facility, aka her staff. Coach Pope was even up there dressed in a black robe like the rest of them. Meanwhile the classmates and I wore blue robes. Now, I was looking in front of a huge crowd. I knew there were a lot of people but I didn't expect a thousand of them!?

I looked to the center of the crowd, seeing familiar faces, along with my beloved and fellow classmates. Those including my best friend Ivan, his girl Mary, and my high school sweetheart: Tracy...

I also saw my old high school bullies who used to make fun of my last name, now graduating into different men (story for another day). Literally my lacrosse teammates was even there to be getting their diplomas too. All of which of whom were Trey, Bobby, Owen, Peter, Carl, Eric, Matt, and Ronald, respectfully. I've never been any prouder as their team captain.

Off to the sides, were the families of my classmates, especially mine. My mother and father along with Ms. Lu were on the second row to the right close to the front. All three of them were waving me on that even Ms. Lu cheered. By which, gotten everyone, including me to smile.

I closed my eyes, steadied my breathing and open my eyes, proceeding to speak. I've been preparing for this speech in the last week or so, and it honestly felt like eternity at this point. But with my folks and dear ones cheering me on, I can do this!

"As most of you know, I'm a very approaching and outgoing guy. I had always been one to make an effort to have people feel included and acknowledged. I couldn't ask for the amazing supportive I have in you all," I started welling up. I control myself however in order not to be a complete mess as people within the crowd said in "awww." Shortly, I continued on.

"To be quite frank, I was pretty nervous when I was given the speech. I didn't know what I was going to say at all, however, with some convincing or dare I say motivation, I finally decided what I was going to speak to you all about for this special and once in a lifetime occasion.

"In life, especially after today, we will be facing many hardships. Hardships that would often make us want to give it up, without even trying. I've had my shares with this shortcomings myself and I'm here to tell you all to never give up. I know it may be hard at the moment, but there's always a sliver lining that some things will get easier. As Jordin Sparks once sang:

'One step at a time

There's no need to rush

It's like learning to fly

Or falling in love

It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen

Then we find the reasons why

One step at a time'

I even sang the number cause that's how I roll, and everyone laughed at first but cheered me on. I was so blessed to have an engaging crowd. You have to love it when people actually react and respond to the things you say and do. I resumed my speech as I held out my hands. Their cheers calmed down once they saw my hands out, compared to a royal silencing their subjects.

"Thank you, thank you. I'm quite musically inclined. You can thank my parents for having me listening to the radio and hear all types of music. I feel like music is what makes us what to keep going through. Sure, family and friends is a plus. However, anytime I feel like the cards are up against me, I oftentimes find it that music really does 'save a mortal soul'. American Pie reference there." The crowd chuckled at my joke.

"Case in point, no matter how life throws at us, or when the tough gets going, we can all do this by looking out for one another, and take things at our own pace each step of the way. I know that in today's society is pretty scary, I ain't going to sugarcoat on that. However, whenever you feel like there's got to be something we can all connect to. I say music is the way. In fact, I strongly believe, it has always been the way since the very beginning. Thus why I easily can sing you all a song than to give you all a speech. But now, I'm fully confident that I can do both.

"I wanna finish this speech with a simple and earworm of a song. By which, I'm sure you already know which one I'm referring to. Especially those who have graduated before us. However, it's this message that I want to give out to my fellow classmates as we all head out to the scary yet exhilarating unknown. And that goes, as follows." I proceeded to sing the chorus of the ironic song:

"As we go on, we remember

All the times we had together

And as our lives change, come whatever

We will still be friends forever."

The crowd applauded more loudly than the first time. Literally everyone was standing up for me, including the facility. Once I received such a display of appreciation from everyone, I stood off to the right of the podium, and gave a bow. After doing such, I even yelled at the top of my lungs: "Let's go Cougars; Class of 20XX!"