What do you say to a bunch of smart kids? My NHS induction speech!

 Thank you, it's an honor to stand before all of you.

Over the past few months, I’ve been asked to speak to our football team, read to a first grade class, and to visit with the volleyball team.  But this is quite an honor.  Over the years as a principal and superintendent  I’ve listened to a number of national honor society speeches for many people much more distinguished than I.  

With that pressure on my shoulders, I thought I would think more like the kids and utilize Artificial Intelligence to write my speech.  So here we go.

• Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and, most importantly, our exceptional students.  Today, I stand before you with immense pride and honor as we gather to celebrate the induction of our remarkable students into the National Honor Society. This is a momentous occasion, not just for these outstanding young individuals but also for our entire school community.

• A1 then went on to talk about the pillars, the foundation of the honor society.

• Scholarship

• Leadership

• Character

• And Service

• A1 also wanted me to mention, As the school superintendent, I am deeply impressed and inspired by the dedication and achievements of these students. They represent the very best of our school, embodying the values and principles that we hold dear. They are not just scholars; they are leaders, individuals of outstanding character, and passionate advocates for service.

ALL OF WHICH I’M SURE IS TRUE

But what I really want to speak about tonight is self confidence.  Because for me, through the years of sitting in these ceremonies always takes me back to my high school days. 

• I’ll start with being vulnerable and sharing a personal experience.  When I was your age I was full of confidence, most of it was false confidence.  False confidence, in my eyes, is when we have to pretend to be someone we aren’t because we are scared to let people see our vulnerabilities. 

• I remember sitting in the Southern Cal auditorium in Lake City when national honor society inductees were being announced at a school assembly.  I remember my best friend, Tim tapping someone else on the shoulder and laughing to myself because I had gotten my hopes up thinking I was good enough to be selected as a member. 

• At my high school, you were selected in a student assembly and someone would tap your shoulder, then you would go on stage, etc.

•  In that moment self doubt crept into my thoughts as it had many times previously.  

• Turns out Tim thought it would be funny not to tap his best friend on the shoulder and allow someone else the opportunity. 

• Being selected to the Southern Cal National Honor Society for me gave me confidence to move forward with my college experience.  Being part of NHS was an experience that allowed me to be confident in the person that I was at that moment.  That I was good enough despite my insecurities. It was really my first step in becoming truly self confident. 

• I wish I could tell you throughout my adult life that self doubt didn’t creep back into my mind because it did.  It is something that I have to continually overcome.  But over the course of many years my fake “false” confidence turned into real confidence in myself.  

Self confidence is a journey for sure

• A few weeks back Coach Sanders / Coach Prime, the head football coach for the University of Colorado, was asked who he thinks is the best coach in college football today.

• “Let me see a mirror, so I can look at him,” Sanders said. “You think I’m gonna sit up here and tell you somebody else? 

• Regardless of what anyone thinks of Coach Sanders, he is confident in who he is.

If you don’t believe in yourself…….who will?

• I was faced with a similar situation this past spring when deciding if I would apply to be the next superintendent at Norwalk.  Here is a snippet from a blog post I wrote on May 11th: 

• My mindset was, if I don’t get this position it’s not going to be because I didn’t give it my all.  Applying for this position literally became a part time job for the next couple of months.  The first hurdle I had to overcome was self doubt.  On my desk I have a handwritten note that says, “I AM”  meaning I am one of the very best superintendents in the state.  I looked at this note daily.  

Did I really believe this……

• If not someone that has ten years of successful superintendent experience then who?  Through the application process it became apparent that I did in fact believe that much in myself.  If not me then who?  My mantra became, “I AM” I proceeded to attack the interview process to the very best of my ability.  

• I asked our sponsors tonight to share one photo during my speech.  What you are looking at is my daily reminder, that has been with me for a few years.  Its new home is on my Norwalk laptop and typically sits on my desks as my daily reminder to be SELF CONFIDENT.

Artificial intelligence wanted me to conclude my speech in the following way

• In conclusion, as you step into this new chapter of your academic journey as National Honor Society inductees, remember that with great honor comes great responsibility. You are not just members of an exclusive society; you are leaders and role models. Continue to strive for excellence, continue to serve others, and continue to uphold the values that have brought you to this moment.  I have every confidence that you will rise to the challenges that lie ahead, and I look forward to witnessing the incredible impact you will make in the years to come. Congratulations once again, and may your journey be filled with success, fulfillment, and the joy of making a difference.

All of these points from A1 ring true, but I will leave you with this.  For me, being inducted into the national honor society equals self confidence. For me it was the first step in my journey realizing that I was “I AM.” 

• Students I wish you the best of luck

• Congratulations on your accomplishments

• For many of you this will be a night you remember forever

• Be confident in who you are and work tirelessly to always believe in yourself. 

Thank you