Today marks our last day in high school, and in my case, the last day in public school as well. After 12 years of being in an “everyman’s school,” an experience I’ve found invaluable, I’ll be heading to private school for the first time this August. While I’m extremely excited about this next step in my life, the transition has made me stop and consider what this change from public to private means, and what an extraordinary thing free public education actually is.

Graduates, take this moment to think about the extraordinary people who have helped you along your personal journey. And if you haven’t already, sometime today tell those people how much you appreciate their love and support.

We are lucky, whether we call the Island home for a week, a year, or generations at a time. This feeling was refreshed as the Vineyard Conservation Society launched an art contest for high schoolers.

We live in a special place, but you all know that. I have no cliched advice for you today, no insightful message or sentimental speech about a childhood on this Island. Instead, I’d like to recognize some of the kids who have made this class exceptional.

I didn’t become a teacher till I was 36 years old, and I believe we are never too old to transform ourselves. Life isn’t about finding out who you are or discovering yourself, it’s about making yourself into the person you want to be. Every person is always a work in progress.

This amazing middle of the night heroic effort is a tale of hope and kindness.