Governor Jack Markell offers his congratulations to Delaware’s 2011 high school graduates – along with a message. He encourages the Class of 2011 to use what they’ve learned to make themselves heard in a positive way.
Governor’s Weekly Message
Governor Jack Markell offers his congratulations to Delaware’s 2011 high school graduates and encourages the Class of 2011 to use what they’ve learned to make themselves heard in a positive way.
Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message:
This message is for our new high school graduates. Congratulations on your accomplishment.
By dedicating yourself year after year to learning, you now have most of the words you’ll ever need at your disposal.
The question is : what are you going to say with those words?
You have more opportunity now to be heard more widely than at any point in human history.
When our great patriot Caesar Rodney rode into history to make Delaware our nation’s first state, it took hours to deliver a handful of words to a small group of people.
Today with just a flick of your smart phone, several hundred of your Facebook friends can instantly know whatever is on your mind.
While it used to take days to get a letter to a public official, we now know what’s on people’s minds in real-time through blogs, email, Twitter and other social media.
When anyone at any time can say anything people of purpose and passion risk being lost in the flood of instant feedback.
So, use what you’ve gained from science and math to construct an indisputable argument. Stand strongly upon the academic foundation you’ve built and speak up– be heard – because we need to hear you.
Make your voice matter.
These are challenging times. We need people of purpose with drive and vision – young people like you –and YOU yourself – to commit to working together to make a difference.
To make sure there are more jobs for you and your family,
To make sure there are great schools for your younger brothers and sisters – and eventually, your own children – staffed by the kinds of great teachers that inspired you along the way,
You need to be heard. You have much to say and we cannot wait to hear it.
On behalf of every Delawarean, we look forward to the careers and families you will build, the opportunities you will embrace.
You have so much to do, so much to aspire to and so much to achieve.
We want to hear what you have to say – see what you will do – and watch what you become – actual leaders of our great state, doing your part to keep yourselves and Delaware… moving forward.
