All That Glitters Ch. 51

The graduands marched into the gym in two rows on either side of the seating area and marched down to their seats dressed in the blue robes of graduands with mortar board hats on their heads to the traditional graduation march song. They were all smiling and waving at family and friends and were surprised to see the leadership of the Greater Community sitting on the gym floor with immediate family members. When the graduands found their places they turned to the stage and all were bid to sit.

The Principal, Professor George Ferdon, rose and stood before the podium. "Good evening all, it is a pleasure to see you in front of me in the current circumstances as opposed to in front of me in my office," he said with a smile that garnered laughter from the students.

"As you clearly saw when you entered, we have some special guests today among the family members on the floor. Please join me in greeting the leadership of the Greater Community, who are here at the invitation of the President of the Union, Wilford J. Holloway, as special guests of one of our graduates, Grace Holloway, the daughter of the President of the Union." The principal began to applaud which was taken up by the other guests. The leadership rose and bowed to the guests and then sat again.

"As some of you might be aware, the person who we asked to provide a Commencement Speech was injured in an accident and is unavailable. We had asked our valedictorian to provide two speeches, a commencement speech and the valedictorian's speech, however, a proposal was put forward that we found rather special and acceded to.

"I would like to call forth two very special people from among our guests. They are literally princesses of their people, ladies and gentlemen, gentle beings, Martte Garnal Mutt Herrtt, the daughter of the Asoc >Catal Mutt Herrtt, the Supreme Ruler of the Asocan people, and Shallel Konexi, the daughter and heir of the Impatoss Hatel Konexi, the Supreme Ruler of the Harradi people," the Principal began to applaud while the guests took a moment to catch on to what was happening as Garnal and Shallel moved up to the stage.

"Good evening to all of you," Garnal said. "Image my surprise when my good friend, Grace Holloway, asked me and my age mate Shallel Konexi to give a commencement speech at your graduation.

"Why us, you would ask. The answer is simple; look around you, who do you see? You are seated amongst the elite of the great families of the Union. Who better then to give a speech to you than the daughters of two of the ruling families of the Greater Community?

"My good friend, Shallel Konexi, the future Impatosse of the Harradi, and I have been asked to give you this little pep speech as you go out into the universe and begin your lives," Martte Garnal said.

"We, Shallel and I, have also just completed our basic education and are now moving on to our equivalent of university on our respective home planets. It is a daunting prospect to move into university. When we return home, we will only be a couple of weeks away from starting our new lives in higher education and more or less independent of our family.

"Like you, there we will prepare ourselves to take over our parents vocations and businesses. In our cases, this means learning to rule our people.

"Each of us, you graduates, and the two of us, will now take up the torches of our families, and our family's businesses, whatever those businesses are. We will be merchants, entertainers, politicians, military people, members of our greater families and their purposes in life.

"In the not too distant future, it is us who will direct our families forward, under our momentum. We will bring prosperity or failure to our families based on our future actions.

"For most of us, we have anticipated this day for most of our lives. It has now arrived. We must now look in the mirror and ask...now what?" That question received giggles from some of the graduates who had indeed asked that very question.

"They say that the Universe is not fair but that is bullshit, pardon the offensive language, as that is simply untrue. The Universe does not care about our little lives. Life made us and placed us inside the Universe. Life gave us the gifts we need to prosper and contribute to our communities. How we use or misuse those gifts to move forward or backwards, that is not the responsibility of Life nor the Universe. That is up to each of us as individuals. We and we alone are responsible for moving forward in our lives, or for that progress to crash to a halt. Do not blame others for your future failures. Look no further than the mirror for the one responsible.

"Fairness is not something that the Universe owes us. As of today, as of this very moment, WE, are responsible for moving forward ourselves. Up to this point, our parents, our families, our teachers, our community, even our churches, were responsible for getting us here. Now, we must show those same people that we have learned what they wanted to teach us and step forward under our own momentum.

"We are moving to a higher level of education but doing so somewhat independent of our families. Our families may have set our agendas, but we no longer dance to their wants, their needs alone. We must decide for ourselves where we go from here," Garnal finished.

Shallel took up the speech. "Some of us will decide that their respective families values are not for them. Not all of us have this choice. Those of royal houses must continue our line, especially those who are firstborn. For the rest of us, we do have a choice. I have heard the story of an Asocan who decided that the lifestyle of his family, a political family, was not for him. He wanted to work with his hands, to work with metal as a metalsmith. His parents were not so pleased, until they saw what he could potentially accomplish. It took more than a little effort on his part to convince them that he should go his own way but after seeing his work, they understood that his greatest contributions to their community would be made in the forge and not in the halls of power. Most of us will not be so fortunate. Going against our family's wishes would not be easy.

"I am not saying to you to go your own way so please, parents, do not abuse me if you children take this message the wrong way," Shallel said with a smile that got laughter from the audience.

"What I am saying is that we must find our own way in the Universe. Most of us will find that way within our family legacies. It is inevitable. We have been primed for this our entire lives.

"I have heard the pretty speeches that invited guests give at such graduation ceremonies, speeches aimed at giving us a reason for moving forward. They all say the same thing...all of us have the opportunity to become future leaders of our families, our family businesses, our communities, our planets, our people.

"Well, in our cases, in all of our cases, we ARE the future. Sitting here in front of me are the offspring of the famous families of the Union. Those who control the wealth, the entertainment, and the politics of our respective communities. We WILL be the future leaders.

"And we have one great advantage over our parents...we have each other. Until humans came along, visiting other races was a rare thing. Yet, in the last two years we have had two Denders Summits, we have created the Interspecies Embassy at Liramor-23, where all of the races have come together. And look what has come about since we have learnt of each other.

"New power generators for ships. A new type of jump space technology that allows your ships to jump immense distances. New types of protective generators that allows us to move ships in and out of space stations and small ships/shuttles in and out of larger ships without having to deal with atmospheric recycling. New forms of communications that we did not have before. And that is just in the last two years.

"What will happen in five years, or even ten. By then, WE, this class, will be making a difference in our respective parts of the Universe at large. Of all the things that we have to keep in mind as we move forward, the most important thing to remember is that we ARE the future of our respective races. We WILL make a difference just by being who we are.

"I implore each of you, find a way to visit us on our home planets. Learn from the other races. Knowledge is valuable for itself. Knowledge learnt from another race is unique. It will not only advance yourselves; it will advance your own race. The proof of this is what has already occurred since we have discovered each other.

"Within a few short years from now, we, the Greater Community, will have the means to move about on our own, independent of the Djinaëte ships. The Djinaëte have been wonderful in allowing us to move about but they do not have a great number of ships, not for the vast numbers of people that live in the Greater Community. That we have progressed as far as we have with them is amazing. What is more amazing is the future that we now have, where we will be able to move on our own, in ships that will do our bidding.

"When that happens, commerce between our worlds will explode. If you think that is not true, look how much difference has occurred with just the influx of new communications capabilities that allow us to speak with each other on different planets instantly. Our lives have been irrevocably changed since the advent of the Interspecies Communications System.

"We can now talk to each other on the interplanetary nets anywhere in the universe. If I want to talk to my friend Garnal when she is on her home world, I can. If I wish to speak to my friend, Grace Holloway, I can. I could not do that before. Communications between species was not something that was readily available, not like today. Just two years ago, that was not the case. The changes that are coming for all of us, will be incredible.

"It will be up to us to embrace these changes and show our people that they need not fear them. It will be up to us to lead our people forward during these swiftly changing times. Without us, the fear and confusion these changes will bring may do irreparable damage. With us leading the way, our peoples need not fear these changes nor the future they bring and will be able to embrace them freely.

"Until now, our respective species have lived in relative isolation from each other. That is no longer the case. Now, we must find a way to move forward together. That will be my job, your job, our job, as we grow into our future roles as leaders of our people...your future, and mine.

"We go from here to meet not the future of our families, but the future of our respective species. We here, will be among those in the forefront of this future. When I first arrived here at the Denders Resort, the only thing I could think of was, how do I move forward. Now, my thoughts are how do WE move forward, for without each other, our respective species will not advance. We will be left in our corner of the Universe to stagnate.

"Together, the different species have already provided a brighter future for our respective peoples. This class can help to assure all that the future will continue to be just as bright for our respective peoples.

"Our future is ours to make, ours to build, ours to guide others into. For without us, our peoples will not move into their future. WE, you and I, will stride purposely forward dragging our peoples along behind us, sometimes reluctantly.

"Yes, this is a daunting prospect. But our families have been preparing us for this moment for years. It is now our time to step forward, to become the leaders that our families and our peoples expect us to be. To guide them into the future.

"Because of who WE are, WE will make a difference. WE are not just the future leaders of our peoples; WE are the future of the Greater Community.

"We, Garnal and I, charge you to go forth to learn new things and learn what you need to know to be the future leaders of your people. WE charge you to take in new experiences, not just within the human sphere, but within the Greater Community. WE charge you to move forward not just for yourselves nor for all of humankind, for all within the Greater Community. We SHALL be the future of our peoples, the future of the Greater Community.

"Now we take our first steps forward under your own impetus, to make a future for ourselves, for your families, for our species, and for the Greater Community." Shallel ended.

"Thank-you for allowing us to speak to you this evening," Martte Garnal picked up. "Good luck to all of us as we move forward together. Congratulations on your accomplishment here tonight, your graduation.

"Now. Rise up. Take the hands of the person beside you. Raise them high and give out a rousing Asocan cheer...Heldla! Heldla! Heldla!"

The words appeared on the screen behind Garnal and Shallel, shouted by all of the students as they rose up and held the hands of those who stood beside them, all cheering as one with the two speakers. The crowd broke out into spontaneous applause as the two speakers bowed to the graduates, ending their speech.

As the pair returned to their seats, the principal stepped out beside a table, with Professor Amy Helen, Senior Professor and Vice Principal. The principal's secretary was ready to hand scrolls to both of them. The announcer began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, gentle beings, the Morgan Highschool class of 2487! He called out as the families all gave out a cheer. The graduands rose and moved toward the right side of the stage ready to cross it as their names were called out alphabetically.

As they moved in front of either the Principal or the Vice Principal their accomplishments were called out, their respective families cheering for their sons or daughters. A large number of the graduates graduated Cum Laude, a smaller number graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an even smaller number graduated Magna Cum Laude. All of them were given gold cords to place around their shoulders.

Grace Elizabeth Holloway had to wait till the end. She was finally called forward and strode across the stage with a huge smile on her face to the cheers of her family, her friends, and the leadership of the Greater Community.

The announcer called out her accomplishments: "Gradated Magna Cum Laude, two years early. Minister of Education for North America's Gold Medal for High School Graduate. Silver medal for the second student overall in the Fermat Mathematics Contest of North America. Gold Certificate for the Darwin Science Contest. Gold Medal for the Cantlay Essay Contest, Morgan High School Gold Star for academic achievements for achieving high academic scores in all subjects in all years of her time at Morgan High School; this year's Valedictorian."

Grace accepted her medals and certificates and smiled for the cameras. She flipped her tassel from one side of her mortar board hat to the other, to signify she was now a graduate, as the crowd cheered loudly for her. Her smile never faltered as she made her way to the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, gentle beings, it is now time for our Class Valedictorian's speech. Please welcome, Grace Elizabeth Holloway, Morgan High School's Valedictorian for 2487!" the announcer stated.

The families and guests let out a rousing cheer and stood to applaud her as Grace bowed to the audience. After a moment, she asked everyone to sit and began her speech.

"Valedictorian derives from the Latin phrase 'vale dicere' meaning 'to say farewell' and that is what we are doing today, saying farewell to an important time in our lives. As my friends, Martte Garnal Mutt Herrtt and Shallel Konexi have said early, we now move out into the universe on our own momentum.

"That means we have to say goodbye to many of the friends we have made while we were here at Morgan High School. That, to me, is a sad thought. But moving out into the universe at large in order to make my mark on history, that is an exciting thing for me and, I suspect, for all of you.

"Who knows what will happen. Maybe we will not make a noticeable mark, forgotten by history. Maybe we will discover or create something unique. Maybe, in time, we will become the head of our various families and serve our communities in that role. We don't know what will happen but all of us are ready to make our mark however significant or insignificant it will be.

"We leave here with one certain fact behind us, we CAN accomplish things. I mean, there was not one person in this graduating class who did not graduate Cum Laude. That is utterly amazing and, I think, a first for Morgan High School. That means one thing and one thing only; we have already proved to ourselves that we are all capable of anything."

That comment brought a cheer from the graduates which wound up being echoed by the families.

"We will go forth and do well as individuals, of that I am positive.

"Garnal and Shallel are correct on one important issue, the state of communications today means that we can stay in touch with each other and I for one, hope that we do. There are many people at Morgan High that I would like to remain in contact with. Others..." And here, Grace made a hand motion that the students recognized as saying 'ya maybe', garnering polite chuckles from the graduates.

"We are going to move out into the universe and become the leaders of the future. That is certain because that is what our families expect of us. In that regard, I look forward, in the years to come, of hearing about our discoveries, our creations, our accomplishments, and the roles in which we will end our careers so many years from now.

"It is a daunting prospect to know that our families expect so much of us but, truthfully, I expect so much of myself and I suspect that each of you expect much of yourselves too. In this regard, we are all well matched, the elite of the elite families of the Union. Our only real challenge will be to find a little humility in our lives."

The crowd laughed and applauded that comment.

"My friends, I am about to step out into the unknown, working to set my future mark on history. I don't know how I will accomplish this, but I will.

"I know many of you will do the same. You will be important members of your families, your communities, your planets, perhaps even the Union, or even the Greater Community as a whole.

"We have so much to look forward to attempting and, in the long run, accomplishing. It will be challenging work but, for all of us, the future truly is bright.

"I would ask the graduates to rise and hold your hands high to give out a cheer that I believe will become the Morgan High School standard cheer in the future: Heldla! Heldla! Heldla!"

The graduates shouted out the cheer with Grace then exploded into a roar of approval as Grace bowed to the crowd, waved and left the stage. She ran down into the mob of graduates to be swamped with hugs and kisses from her fellow classmates.

Eventually, she found herself in front of Angelique Aubuchon, who gave her a hug and the typical French double kiss on her cheeks. Her father came next, tears in his eyes as he hugged her hard.

"I am so proud of you, Grace," he said. "Your mother would have been as well. You have far exceeded my expectations and I hope that you will continue to do so."

Grace hugged her father back, just as hard. "I promise, daddy, to never let you down."

"I know, honey. That would be something that you could never do as that would be you letting yourself down, too," her father said.

Then Grace was taken away by a troop of teenagers from different races who were hugging her, shaking her hand, or otherwise congratulating her accomplishments.