PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — While David Letterman is known for his humorous Top 10 lists, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) offered his own entertaining — and encouraging — list during the June 13 commencement exercises at Presque Isle High School.
He told the 126 graduates that instead of a regular speech, he was going to share “10 things I wish someone had told me when I finished high school.”
1. Take more risks.
“You’ve got to stretch beyond yourself and try to do things that you’re not sure you can do,” said King. “If you don’t occasionally make a mistake, you’re not trying hard enough. I’m convinced that the biggest thing that holds us back is this invisible little man that sits on our shoulder and says, ‘You can’t do that. You can’t try that.’ You can.
“The most profound piece of advice I ever got … I was a few years older than you … was from an old man in New Hampshire, and he said, ‘When you get to be my age, you’re going to regret things about your life. See that you regret the things you did and not the things you didn’t,’” King said. “Don’t look back and say, ‘Gee, I wish I tried.’ Reach beyond yourself.”
2. Treat your first job as if it’s the most important job you’ll ever have.
“It may be you’re a greens keeper on a golf course, a nanny or a lifeguard, but whatever it is, do it with all you’ve got. Be the best because you never know how that’s going to affect your future opportunity,” said King. “Under promise and over deliver. That’s how you make an impression.”
3. Be honest even if it hurts.
4. Attitude really is everything.
“It’s not your aptitude, it’s your attitude that determines your altitude,” said King. “Here’s an example … a little kid on Christmas morning goes down to the living room and there’s this huge pile of presents. He sits down and opens all the presents and says to his mother, ‘Is this all?’ Another kid comes down and he looks and there’s nothing in the living room except a little pile of horse manure. He’s excited, he’s bouncing off the walls, and his mother says, ‘Why are you excited?’ and he says, ‘Because I know there’s a pony in here somewhere!’ It’s attitude, man! That’s what makes all the difference.”
5. Interviews.
“All of you are going to be having interviews. There’s solid, scientific research that tells us that every interview is over in the first 15 seconds. People decide in their head whether they like you or not within the first 15 seconds. They get that information not only from what you say but how you stand, what your expression is, etc.,” King said. “In an interview, you need a real good handshake and eye contact. Also, leave your cellular phone in the car. There’s nothing that will kill an interview more than your phone going off particularly if it’s a weird ring tone.
“Dress like the people who are interviewing you. Here’s another thing about interviews … follow up. That night, send them an email. People like to think that you’re interested,” he said. “An interview is something that’s very important and you should give it a lot of thought before you get into it.”
6. There is no such thing as a material or geographic cure.
“What I mean by that is, ‘Oh, I’m not very happy here in Presque Isle, but when I get to Denver, then I’m going to be happy,’ or ‘I’m not so happy now, but when I get that convertible, man, then I’m going to be happy,’” said King. “It doesn’t work that way. Happiness is something you carry around between your ears.”
7. When in doubt, don’t get married.
“Marriage is serious business; it’s for life,” said King, “so don’t rush into it. Be sure it’s the right thing.”
8. Don’t type or send anything into cyberspace that you don’t want your grandmother to read on the front page of the New York Times.
“Your generation feels that you’re digitally immortal and you can write really dumb things and think, ‘Nobody’s going to see this but my friends,’” King said. “All somebody’s got to do is press forward and it’s gone to the whole world. I call it a ‘digital tattoo.’ It doesn’t go away and will keep you from getting a job.”
9. Always keep a $20 bill folded up somewhere on your person.
10. Value your friends and your family and never let them down.
“The Beatles said, ‘The love you get is equal to the love you give,’ and that means be there for your friends and family,” said King. “A couple of years from now you’re going to get a notice that somebody’s going to get married and they’re going to say, ‘Come to the wedding in Chicago.’ You’ll probably say, ‘Oh man, that’s a long way … it’s going to be expensive, I can’t make it,’ … go! Be there for them because you’re going to have a time in your life when you want them there for you. The same thing with your family. That’s who you need in life.”
In addition to King, the packed audience also heard from class speaker Garrett Kidney.
“Although after today everything changes, don’t think of it as an ending, but as the beginning to chapter two of our lives,” he said. “It may be scary going out on our own and becoming adults, but never hold yourself back, and give life all you have. When we’re at our 50th class reunion I want us all to be able to look back and not have regrets on the life we’ve lived and the mistakes we’ve made.
“From one classmate to the other, my advice to you is this: don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Making mistakes is a part of life and one of the best ways to learn,” he said. “The important thing to remember is how you carry yourself afterwards. Own up to your mistakes and learn from them because that’s the best way to move forward and grow as a person. The way we handle our mistakes defines us as a person and mistakes will always happen in life, no matter where we are.”
Kidney told his fellow graduates that they’ll never find success if they never experience failure.
“Set goals for yourself and strive to achieve them, and even if you don’t, keep your chin up high and don’t be ashamed. Do what makes you happiest in life and don’t ever let anyone tell you different because this isn’t their life — it’s yours,” he said. “Strive to achieve your dreams, whether it’s to become a teacher, a rapper, or even a Disney princess. As Bob Marley once said, ‘Love the life you live, and live the life you love.’”
For Donna Lisnik, PIHS principal, this year’s commencement was bittersweet as she will be retiring June 30.
“You are a wonderful class, the first and last one to go through all four years having me as the principal,” she said. “A class that has kept us on our toes — strong personalities, fun, creative, opinionated, athletic and very smart. These attributes will serve you well as you go out into the world.
“Stand up for what you believe in, follow your dreams, don’t give up when the going gets difficult, look to the future and forge ahead. Becoming successful takes work and lots of it, but you have it in you and you can do it,” said Lisnik. “Every day as I work with students, I am reminded that our future is secure because of young people like you.”
Lisnik said she could see “so many success stories” sitting before her.
“I am not talking about money or fame. I am talking about what you all have to give back to the world. You are going to make a difference and I am looking forward to following your accomplishments,” she said. “Actually, now that I am retiring and you are graduating, I can be your Facebook friend and read all about your successes.
“I would like to thank the Class of 2014 for making my last year as principal of PIHS one of the best,” said Lisnik. “You are a wonderful group of young people and I will enjoy watching the positive impacts you will have on our state, our nation and even the world.”
Musical selections at this year’s commencement included “Slipping Through My Fingers” from the Broadway musical “Mama Mia,” performed by 2014 PIHS graduate Hannah Stoutamyer, and “Lean on Me,” sung by the PIHS Chorus.
Diplomas were conferred by SAD 1 Superintendent Gehrig Johnson and Lucy Richard, chair of the SAD 1 board of directors.
