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MCC student speaker: College degree is more than just a piece of paper
McCOOK, Neb. — The following is the McCook Community College commencement address given by student speaker Kimberlee Sweeney at today’s graduation:
1. No great things are ever accomplished unless you try. Hello! Welcome graduates, families, faculty, and staff to this year’s graduation. My name is Kimberlee Sweeney. As I stand before you all here today, I still feel like I shouldn’t be graduating. If you asked me a few years ago if I would graduate with a degree, I would say with a great deal of certainty, it would never happen for me.
2. Most of my fellow graduates don’t know me. I wasn’t a familiar face on campus, I wasn’t an athlete, and didn’t live on campus. I am a 39-year old mother of three amazing children. But I represent a part of this student body, and I’m very proud of that.
3. Going to college while taking care of a family and making sure all their lives run smoothly, presents its own set of challenges. I also have a difficult learning disability that kept me from believing I could further my education. I made a mountain of excuses why college wasn’t for me. I’d never be able to pass my classes. I would never be able to take care of my family. The list went on and on.
4. I told myself these things because I was afraid. Deathly afraid to fail and let everyone down, including myself. But I came to a crossroad in my life, and with some solid encouragement, I decided to take a chance. Terrified and still not knowing how or if I could make it all work, I went for it.
5. Something I’ve learned so far in my adult life, is that if you want something bad enough and work hard for it, you can get it. I knew deep down I wanted a degree and I had reached a point in my life that wanted it enough, I knew I had to try. No great things are ever accomplished unless you try.
6. One of my favorite excuses why I couldn’t go to college was downplaying the importance of a degree. I would often say that a degree is nothing more than a stupid-little piece of paper. I’ve had promising jobs throughout my adult life, but I kept getting over looked for promotions and better jobs because of that little piece of paper.
7. I have learned during my college education that a degree’s significance is so much more. It represents more than just the knowledge you have gained or what grades you earned in class. It’s proof of your determination, strength, and what your full potential really is. The college experience and finally graduating, shows you exactly what you are capable of.
8. I don’t think there is a single person in this class who at some point in their college career hasn’t been worried or even been down right scared. Trying to figure out how to hold down a job and get homework done. Wondering how after riding a bus back from a double header or major college event and the next day walking into a massive test, and not knowing how it will go, or worrying about family or friends while tackling finals at the same time. The anxiety, the shed tears, lack of sleep....but we found a way.
9. I am fortunate to have found MPCC and I am extremely grateful for the love and support from my family and friends. I think that all of us have had some kind of support system or a person in our life that has helped make today possible for us. That is something I hope that all of my fellow graduates will continue to utilize. Ask for help or support when you need it in life, you will be surprised who will fill that role when you need them the most.
10. When difficult times arise, the people around you are vital, but so is your own instincts. Trust your intuition, it’s there for a reason. Be smart and think things through. I spent 20 plus years thinking college through, so I don’t suggest taking that long. You all now walk away from this school stronger and more adept to face the next stage of your life. There will be joyous and arduous times, possibly even scary, but know that you a remarkable person who has tremendous capabilities.
11. So that piece of paper, your degree, signifies what you are made of now. How you’ve grown as a person and will help you better understand what kind of person you want to continue to be. Let it be a reminder for the rest of your life that you wanted it bad enough, and you earned it.
12. This speech is dedicated to three of my biggest supporters -- my children. To them and to all of you, remember you can do anything.
Congratulations class of 2022. Go out and do great things.