The Commencement Address Given BY Our 2008-2009 Valedictorian, Jay Jensen


Go back five or six years in my lifetime, and you would have met an odd fledgling, a youth who was little much more than a living, 
breathing information processor. I would have much rather preferred to sit in the corner and finish the tasks set before me than to 
will myself to speak with someone. This was before I was sent to Vanguard. I still remember my first days, resistant to a change in 
my normal routine, and hesitant to come to this school. But I warmed up, and thus, a side of me that had been shoved into a dark 
closet, was allowed to roam more freely. I began to actually interact with others not on a basis of information exchange, but out of 
actual concern for the other person. I’m sure that all of us who are even now leaving the nest and spreading our wings for the first time, 
also had their reasons to come to this school.

This brings me to an excerpt I would like to share, from a speech given at Wellesley College by the President's wife, Mrs. Bush.

“Wellesley, you see, is not just a place ... but an idea ... an experiment in excellence in which diversity is not just tolerated, but is embraced.

She then related the story by Robert Fulghum about a young pastor, finding himself in charge of some very energetic children, hits upon a 
game called "Giants, Wizards, and Dwarfs." "You have to decide now," the pastor instructed the children, "which you are ... a giant, a wizard 
or a dwarf?" At that, a small girl tugging at his pants leg, asked, "But where do the mermaids stand?"

The pastor attempted to explain to her that there are no mermaids. "Oh yes there are," she said. "I am a mermaid."

Now this little girl knew what she was and she was not about to give up on either her identity or the game. She intended to take her place 
wherever mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Where do mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Where do mermaids stand ... all of those 
who are different, those who do not fit the boxes and the pigeonholes?" "Answer that question," wrote Fulghum, "and you can build a school, a 
nation, or a whole world."

As that very wise young woman said. "Diversity ... like anything worth having ... requires effort." Effort to learn about and respect difference, 
to be compassionate with one another, to cherish our own identity ... and to accept unconditionally the same in others.”

Quite a bit lengthy, I know, but I shared it to make a point that we can apply here. That girl had the will to go against the flow that society has l
abeled as “the norm”. In fact, it wasn’t a situation unique to her; I can safely assume that the majority of those attending Vanguard, without 
Vanguard, would have been estranged in a world, fighting an ever increasing tide of expectations with no hope of how to get around it, alone. 
Vanguard has been a ferry to help those students get past the first waves, and to prepare us for the journey that is life, while still retaining that 
individuality that we cherish so dearly.

Wherever the class of 2008 goes, whatever we do, we are ready. Change will be certain, but I know that this class is ready for it, perhaps, even 
welcoming of it by now. The cycle of proper, organized education is coming to a close for this class, but now begins a new cycle, with life as its 
teacher.  Formal education may be involved it is true.  For me it will include study at the university level.  Whatever direction this new course we 
are about to undergo will take us, we know it will continue though the rest of our lives with many twists and turns.  And remember this, in the game 
of life in addition to giants, wizards and dwarfs, we do need mermaids.  No matter what, I am confident we are prepared, we are the class of 
Vanguard Preparatory School, 2008.