2007

speaker tells graduates, 'strive to fulfill dreams' be and do what you want to do because we only have one liie to accomplish everything we want to accomplish." In addition to challenging her classmates, Kennedy also praised them. "I hope each of you will

congratulate yourselves, walk with your head a little higher and pat yourselves on the back," she stated, '"because believe it or not, we have made it!" She continued, ''We made it through studying all night for that final, the early morning cramming, and tests that we forgot about until the day of the exam! All the research, quizzes, homework, reading assignments and tests are behind us. We have perse– vered through many obstacles that were before us, and by overcoming those obstacles, we are much stronger individ– uals." Kennedy, who also helped lead the Lady Warrior fast– pitch softball learn to two MACJC Central Division titles, further commented "that each of us has hopes and fears, and as President Franklin D. Roo– sevelt's once aid, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Kennedy also shared a

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SPEECH

Loren Kennedy delivers her commencement speech at East Central Community College's 78th Commencement Saturday.

short story that relates to how one perceives h,is or her strengths and flaws. She told the tale of a water bearer in India who carried two large pots of water - one on each end of a long pole - each day to his master. One of the pots had a crack in it and the other pot was flawless. For two years, he carried the pots on the long walk from a steam to his master's house. '''The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. "Kennedy related, "never spilling a drop." he said the cracked pot "was ashamed of its own imperfection and was miser– able that it was unable to accomplish only half ofwhat it had been made to do." After two years of what was

to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because ofmy flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. Kennedy said the water bearer "felt sorry" for the old cracked pot, and stated: "As 'We return to the master's house. I want you to notice the beau~iful Clowers along the path. The cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers that grew on its side of the path. but again offered an apology for leaking half its load of water on each trip. But Kennedy said the water bearer quickly gave the fol– lowing response: "Did you notice that there were flowen. only on xour side of the path? That's because I have always known about your flaw. and I took advan– tage of it. l planted flower seedi> on your side of the path. and every day while we walked back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years J lfave been able to pick these beautiful flowers to dec– orate my master's table. Without your being just the way you are. he would not

have this beauty to grace his house." During her final comments. Kenned said each of us '"has our own unique flaws," and that we are all "cracked pots" to some degree. "But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what he or she is, and look for the good in everyone." She concluded wirh the fol– lowing wish for her fellow graduates: "May your have enough happiness to make you sweet enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hopt> to make you happy." Other graduating sopho– mores par ticipating in the commencement program were Anse Rigby of Forest who performed a vocal ~elec­ tion of "You Raise Me Up;'' Victory Warnsley of Morton invocation; and Celeste Bun of Philadelphia, benediction. ECCC President Dr. Phi. A Sutphin presented certifi– cates and degrees to the graduates.

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CARTHAGU\~lA - perceived to be a failure, Kennedy said the cracked pot SCOTT COUNTY Tl~ "spoke" to the water bearer one day by the stream: UNION APPEAL _ "I am ashamed of myself. and I want to apologize to WINSTON COUNTY you." "Why?" asked the bearer. SPlRIT OF MORTON "What are you ashamed of?" "[have been able, for these OTHER past two years, to deliver only - - - --- half my load because this crack in my side causes water