Sitting before me is the graduating class of 2007 of the Academy for Math, Engineering and Science.  Every single one of us has gone through an incredible journey to reach this day.  This school has built us just as we, along with our teachers and staff, have built it. 

Albert Einstein said: "Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly."  Our teachers at AMES have taught us to be these great spirits, always questioning and thinking for ourselves.  We have received so many opportunities at AMES to explore our world that would not have been possible at a regular school.  I think that it is safe to say that every one of us is leaving this school with a higher level of thinking than what we entered with.  We have been prepared for our future, whatever it may hold.
 
As the second graduating class of AMES, we have a tremendous amount of responsibility.  For four years we have constantly received, and now it is our turn to give back a little.  We have been taught to work hard, think hard, and not settle for less than our best.  Now we can take that and use it to accomplish our dreams.  Go all the way- whatever you end up doing with your life, be passionate about it.  Love it with all your heart.  If you settle for less, you aren’t making full use of your AMES education. 

We owe our success to so many people.  Teachers, staff, parents, supporters of the school.  We are who we are because you have made us so.  And for that we thank you. 

Although the value of our AMES education can never truly be paid in full, as we enter the world now we can repay these people just a little bit by working to change the world- to make it better for the future.  Each one of us here has the potential to fix the things that need fixing in our world.  The only question is if we will take the initiative and actually make it happen.  I challenge you as you move on with your life to look for things that aren’t as they should be.  When you find these things, work to transform them into a better vision of the world.  We have been given the ability and the knowledge necessary to achieve our goals.  AMES has made a difference for each of us.  Now we must in turn make a difference in the lives of others.