So this is graduation

<Smile!>

Welcome, Class of Two Thousand. I am sure that this day comes upon you with much mystery and emotion. Throughout life you will encounter many landmark occasions that will become the cornerstones of your memory. Today is one of them; focus on the important things in life. Your family and friends are here, and they are proud to stand behind you on this day. But to stand before you this morning is one of your classmates. Please come to the stage.

So this is graduation. I thought it was a symbolic funeral of some sort. I mean, we all came wearing black to see the senior class put to rest. It was our time, though. We've lived the full govie life. Born at ROPES, weaned off ramen and onto Eric Smith (or is it the other way 'round?), and muddle through our adolescent research stage. We get a job at SCJAS and eventually retire from our classes. That is where we stand today. We shouldn't expect anything else from this place. Just accept your fate and look toward heaven...

So this is graduation. It's nice. I feel the life in this room. I guess we're sitting at the birth canal after eighteen years of gestation. We are born. These are our commencement exercises, and though we're a bit wobbly on our feet, we are all joining the ranks of Men and Women. Eating and taking are no longer our responsibility, but rather to hunt and gather. Imagine taking your first step out of this building. Imagine the entirety of life ahead of you...

So this is graduation. The death and birth analogies don't really cut it for me. I see us all dressed in our Batman outfits and think, "You know, if you squint really hard at the words 'cap and gown,' it could very well say 'cape and cowl.'" At SCGSSM, some would think of us as the creme de la creme of the youth of South Carolina. I disagree. I think we're all the weirdos who will be known for our uncanny abilities. I remember some of the people who have graduated. Yak Girl! Anonymo the Nameless! Peace! Virgo! Coach Redneck! You know the list. We came into this telephone booth of a school and are leaping out as superheroes. We've all had slightly different experiences. Some of us have taken Bitten by a Radioactive Mallard from Dr. Bill. Others of us know the Physics of Being Born on Another Planet 203. Dr. Godwin, I don't remember -- do you teach that class?

Classmates, we must never forget our responsibilities as this world's protectors. Some of us may want to shrug off this duty. Not cool. Our lives have been preserved to this day in the hidden lair of Dr. Cox to prepare us for the battle ahead. As the world's first class fighting team, we must combine our strengths against the evil Dr. Apathy. We've seen too many of our friends fall to his infernal powers. Realize, friends, that we are the first and only line of defense of super humans to destroy the demons of inactivity in this world. I don't intend to sound proud here, but are there any others in this world that have received the gift as we have to change the world into something better? <Pause for effect> Actually <shorter pause>, there are. They're not complete, though. Without you, there's going to be an organization named The Fantastic Three-out-of-Four. Without you, the other guys can't call on Captain Planet. Without you, the bad guys win.

Under the roof of Richard G. and Tuck A. Coker, we've used our uncanny psychic abilities to become friends. Those of us without the psi powers resorted to hanging out and hitting Sonic in the evenings. Some of us used wings to fly off together for wildcard weekends. Those inclined gathered and achieved the Ultimate form, which looks surprisingly like a plastic disk. We have eaten together and listened to each other's music. Only we understand the magic of Happy Days and Big Sibs. Love is a late night conversation. Teamwork incarnate: that's who we are.

Also in this Government School is a learning aspect. Here we have been training our gifts. Parents, we've all been regular Peter Parkers here. Study Nazis abound, but that's who we are. Our scientists have been trained day and night in the laboratory by such favorites as Mr. Wagner and Dr. Smith. We know how to study. That is almost as good a power as laser eye beams.

Listen guys, it has been a great two years. We have grown more intimate than I have thought possible. From now to eternity, we will be associated with each other. People will calls us the Governor's School Specials. But even as we are forever together, we must forever part. Each of us must stake out an area, be it Metropolis, Gotham City, or Hartsville. Each of us must cultivate our powers, nay, our entire selves: powers, goals, morals, and all, to the protection of our surroundings, to the perpetuation of human growth, and to the edification of our Creator.

Heck. Who else in the world is brave enough to wear the silly-looking, brightly-colored spandex outfits but Govies?

<Smile!>