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Forget carpe diem. This high school commencement address was morelike carpe downer . Or so it seemed, at first. "None of you is special. You are not special. You are notexceptional," English teacher David McCullough Jr. told graduatingstudents as he began his commencement address at Wellesley High School in Wellesley, Mass. Instead, McCullough continued, "You've been pampered, cosseted,doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. .. You've been nudged,cajoled, wheedled and implored. "Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundredsgasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you've even hadyour picture in the [local paper]! And now you've conquered highschool.... "But do not get the idea you're anything special. Because you'renot." Those are bold statements to make, when one is speaking to 300 orso students and the parents that raised them. A video of the address, delivered June 1, shows a small group ofwhat appear to be students and faculty by turns laughing or lookingquizzical in reaction to McCullough's words. Chuckles and applausecan be heard from the audience. But the crowd went silent as McCullough continued: "If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy,trophies become meaningless. 'Embrace the challenge' "We have of late ... to our detriment, come to love accolades morethan genuine achievement. "No longer is it how you play the game, no longer is it evenwhether you win or lose, or learn or grow, or enjoy yourself doingit.... Now it's 'So what does this get me?' "Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace thechallenge, enjoy the air and behold the view... Exercise free willand creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions theywill bring you, but for the good they will do others.... "The sweetest joys of life ... come only with the recognition thatyou're not special. Because everyone is." After nearly 13 minutes, the speech ended to hearty applause. Therewas, however, no standing ovation. Online, where the speech has gone viral, the reaction has beenoverwhelmingly positive. What do you make of McCullough's speech? Was it the right messageto give students at their high school commencement? Does your ownlife experience confirm or contradict McCullough's message? Shareyour thoughts and comments in the field below. Do you agree with McCullough's speech? (This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers'responses.) Related link: Canada's Yearbook: Send us your graduation photos. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Googly Eyes Stickers , Clear Epoxy Stickers Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Dress Up Doll Stickers today!
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