Recording star Amy Grant sings during the graduation ceremony at Smethport Area High School. To the right, Grant catches up with Stephanie Ball, a graduate who met Grant previously through Make-A-Wish Foundation.
amygrant.com
June 2003
Recording star Amy Grant, who spoke at the Smethport Area High School commencement exercise on Friday, June 6, urged the 79 seniors to be a positive force in the world.
"If you're looking for something in life, look for something positive. If you don't act in a positive way, then you hurt people. People create their own environment, so look for something positive."
Recording star Amy Grant sings during the graduation ceremony at Smethport Area High School. To the right, Grant catches up with Stephanie Ball, a graduate who met Grant previously through Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Grant turned the lectern toward the students on stage and spoke from a text titled "Random Points."
"Part of growing up," she noted, "is not all 'What can I get away with?' but rather 'Who do I want to be?'"
Using anecdotes and humor to illustrate her message, Grant said that she and husband Vince Gill frequently use a phrase in their home: "Gracious on the way up and gracious on the way down."
"Someday, when reality sets in, what you get out of life comes back to you," she explained.
Referring to the abilities of the student in the Class of 2003, she concluded her remarks by telling the students, "I look forward to growing old in a world where you are the movers and shakers."
Then moving from behind the lectern, Grant picked up her guitar and walked to hte floor microphone, where she sang "Oh, How the Years Go By."
Her performance earned a standing ovation not only from the hundreds of poeple in the audience but from students on stage as well.
(Courtsy of The Bradford Era)
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