'Be What Royal Is'

ROYAL CITY - Class of 2014 speaker Tanner Christensen launched his remarks at Saturday evening's graduation ceremony by saying: "What a journey."

He was referring to the 13-year trip through the Royal School System, but he spoke mostly about the adventure the graduating seniors are about to start.

"Growing up in the small town of Royal has truly been an adventure," he said. "Now we are leaving. Royal will be history, along with the 88 students seated around you."

Christensen said the coming years will be times of trial, error, and mistakes. He said his classmates will need to rise above and focus on what truly matters most.

"Going throughout our day, it is very easy to become busy and hurry with the fast pace of life," he said. "And being teenagers, the only way we know to get out of it is to just run at a faster pace than the world. Let me advise you. As we enter into this new stage of our lives, don't get caught up in the hurried pace of life."

"Slow down and discover what matters most. Find out the lessons you have learned, the things you have and will accomplish, and most importantly, the people that helped you. No one in this life has to give you anything. So when someone does give you something, be grateful."

Christensen urged his classmate to rise to their potential and related the following.

"There once was a man whose lifelong dream was to board a cruise ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea. He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome, Athens and Istanbul.

He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage. Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship - working out in the gym, playing miniature golf, and swimming in the pool. He envied those who went to movies, shows, and cultural presentations.

And, oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing food he saw on the ship. Every meal appeared to be a feast!

But the man wanted to spend so very little money that he didn't participate in any of these. He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his cabin and ate only his humble food.

On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which of the farewell parties he would be attending. It was then that the man learned that not only the farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise ship - the food, the entertainment, all the activities - had been included in the price of his ticket.

Too late, the man realized that he had been living far beneath his privileges.'

"So what in life are you not taking advantage of? Are you, as this man, watching everything in life pass by without the knowledge it is free for you?"

Christensen concluded his remarks by saying: "It's pretty easy to look at all the bad things in life and get depressed, but we need to find the good and rise to the top.

"As you go to wherever you may go - college, Peru, or your mom's basement - represent Royal well. Be what Royal is. . . be confident, be dedicated, be loyal, be powerful, be important, be influential, be awesome, and be grateful."