Lakeland Salutatorian: 'Take Advantage of Each and Every Day'

Lakeland High School salutatorian Joseph Mozdzierz graduated from high school on Saturday. In his speech, he looked to sum up the past four years and relay a lesson learned. Read his full speech here. 

Good afternoon honored guests and faculty, parents, friends, and classmates. I would just like to extend my deepest congratulations to the class of 2013 and essentially everyone in this building. Even though today is a day to recognize the students and the hard work we’ve put in…and there was a lot of it, I firmly believe that most of us would not be sitting here today without the constant support of our family and friends.

Speaking from personal experience, I can remember countless nights coming home from practice or a meet to a seemingly immense amount of homework, losing my motivation as the minutes ticked away. It’s safe to say, we’ve all been there, and we’ve all needed help one time or another, which is why I think a tremendous ‘thank you’ is in order. 

Before I begin, I’d like to share with you a statistic that I found particularly interesting, and hopefully it has the same effect on you. It was once brought to my attention that the most money ever paid for a cow in auction was 1.3 million dollars…I’ll give you a minute to let that sink in. Now, I’m going to assume one of three things; either you’re trying to figure out where I’m going with this, you’re searching for a deeper meaning within the statement, or you’re attempting to use your math skills from the past four years to calculate the minimum volume of a cow worth $1.3 million. I’m sorry to tell you, if you fit into any of those three categories, you’re mistaken, so…joke’s on you. However, I’m hoping it managed to peak your interest at least a little bit so you’ll be willing to listen to at least part of what I’m about to say.

It’s certainly been a long and stressful journey to get to where we are today, but, I’m a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Yes, I understand it’s completely cliché, but if there was one thing I’ve learned from having class with Mr. Fradella, it’s that sometimes, clichés aren’t so bad. 

Either way, let’s flashback to freshman year, a simpler, and seemingly easier time…maybe. We’ll begin our journey exiting the bus and setting foot onto Lakeland’s campus for the first time (at least as a student). Now, having successfully made it onto the sidewalk without tipping over backwards from the weight of your backpack filled to capacity with unnecessary school supplies, you set foot into the building and quickly try to make sense of it all. As you frantically look around, you see a 6’5” 210 lb senior rumbling down the hallway (because they were all that big) with the swagger of a champion. At this point, two thoughts run through your mind…maybe he can help me, and why am I so chubby and short. Okay, maybe that was just my thought, but let’s be real; you’ve all seen the classic Facebook picture of me on a boat. In this instant, the thought of asking for help seems so farfetched that you’d rather stumble around the hallway aimlessly until you found the right room. 

So, you then decide to rip open your backpack, inevitably dropping everything inside, and search for your school issued agenda pad with your schedule taped to the front cover. Alright, you take a deep breath, pick everything up and march to class with at least a shred of confidence. Two days pass, and it’s the first “Freshman” Friday of the year…because school always seems to start on a Wednesday, and, let’s be honest, you’re expecting to get dumped in a garbage can.

If you dressed like I did four years ago, you would’ve come to school with a mismatched pair of nylon pants and shirt, so that if you happened to find yourself buried amidst leftover school pizza, it wouldn’t be an issue. Nonetheless, I didn’t get caught in the trash…but I did look like a clown…my first encounter with a high school dress code, something we’ll come back to later. Essentially, what can be taken out of freshman year is that it’s important not to panic because people aren’t as demonic as they may seem. Even though things are changing, it doesn’t mean you’re lost, just keep your head up and you will prosper.

As promised, we’ve arrived at sophomore year, and the enigma that is the high school dress code is in full effect. Unfortunately, you’ve missed your chance in freshman year to step up your clothing game, so this is your only option. It’s the day before school starts and you sit back, constantly replay the Old Navy slogan in your head “Don’t just go back…arrive,” and dream of how amazing the year will be. You hop out of bed the next morning and inevitably “turn your swag on” as you get dressed, putting on your ripped jeans and random graphic tee from Wal-Mart (in my case, one with a Sesame Street character on it, complete with matching flat brim.) Everything you’ve been working towards over the summer is finally going to come to pass…everyone will notice that you’re back at school.

Wrong! The only ones that have noticed you’re back are your friends, and all they do is question your new choice in clothing. Upon coming to the realization that almost nothing has changed from the past year, aside from being a year older and having an extra hour of homework, you return home, defeated.  

Looking back, this overwhelming feeling of disappointment was actually a blessing, for despite what everyone else thought, you continued to come back, dressing how you want to dress. I’m sure by this time, you’re all wondering “what’s the big deal about clothes?” but realistically, the clothes are only a metaphor for self expression. People can tell when you are acting out of character, and typically there is a negative response, be yourself and everything will fall into place.

Not to mention, once you reach junior year, you’ll need all the help you can get because things certainly get yanked up a notch. It’s a known fact that as each student reaches their third year in high school, they acquire the ability to juggle. In the span of nine to ten months, your course work doubles, college visits and applications are starting to enter the mix, and the “oh so dreadful” standardized tests loom in the distance. At this point in time, reality begins to set in that, wait a minute; I have to start thinking about life after high school…that actually exists. Free time is suddenly filled with studying for a standardized test labeled only by an acronym that is unknown to most. 

However, this is also the year where students begin to drive and acquire more freedom to do what they want. This presents an everlasting conflict that can 
be resolved only by proper time management. You desperately wish to go and hang out with your friends, making unnecessary McDonald’s runs and loitering in various parking lots, yet, you know that it would only make sense to use the time you have wisely…to study. Interestingly enough, I’m sure most of you look up at me and assume I was one to sit home with my face crammed in a review book; however, this was far from the truth, you can ask my parents, they’re right over there. I really am a regular student…a regular teenager just like all of you, and that’s why I understand the amazing struggle that is high school. Realistically, I would imagine you have caught on to the idea that with each grade, a lesson is learned and for junior year, it is none other than time management. It is possible to enjoy yourself and continue to succeed so long as you understand your limitations.

Life is a balance, and if something is offset, everything can topple.

Finally, we’ve come to our senior year, the defining moment in our school career. Most people associate senior year with a stress-free environment, however, the beginning of the year is quite possibly the exact opposite. Between college applications, college essays, scholarships, school work, and a ton of other various deadlines floating around out there, it would appear that the struggle is in fact “real”.

However, amidst all the chaos, you take a step back and notice all the little things occurring in the background; you’re friends and classmates are getting asked to prom, you’re casting votes for the senior favorites and trying to recall each and every distinct memory from the past four years to be printed in the yearbook. Or maybe, you’ve decided to take part in Mr. Lakeland, a contest that truly demonstrated the resiliency and dedication of the class of 2013, revitalizing what was once a forgotten event.

Senior year can only be described as liberation from the chains of uncertainty that once held you back. Essentially, the thoughts that once plagued your mind have now been transformed into an enlightenment of yourself, introducing a new “you” who’s not afraid to look hilarious during spirit week or participate in a skit at pep rally. I believe it goes without saying that we all wish to have our legacy live on within the walls of Lakeland High School; to be the subject of a story told  to future generations of Hornets (whether that story is good or bad).

All in all, these past four years have gone by in a flash and I have no doubt that the next four will speed by just the same. The people you’ve met have undoubtedly had an impact on your life and it only seems right that they remain a part of your next chapter to provide comfort and familiarity when everything appears to change. We walk today as the graduating class of 2013 and we will remain as such for the rest of our lives. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Lost time is never found again,” so please, make every day the best it can be and more 
importantly…don’t blink.