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Roger Wellman, history teacher at CHS (and a 1969 graduate himself), who has retired from teaching, was chosen by the Class of 1997 to be the speaker at their graduation. He delivered this inspiring message. Honoring a request, he sent us a copy. Hope you enjoy it!

And number five: I would like to talk a bit about friendship. Mike and I grew up together. As far back as I can remember we were best friends. He had a sheepish grin and a devilish twinkle in his eyes. We played football together, double-dated together, got in trouble together, and laughed together. I never missed one of his track meets and he never missed one of my baseball games. After high school we were still best friends, but I went to college and , after a breakup with his high school sweetheart, Mike enlisted in the army. I immersed myself in college and the relationship with my new best friend--my wife Patty. When Mike didn't make it to our wedding I was very disappointed. I didn't know until later that he had been sent to Germany. In 1974, Mike was almost killed in a tragic accident. He spent months in hospitals and suffered permanent damage to his motor skills. He would call me from time to time, but he always wanted to dwell on the past. By this time I was teaching and coaching and looking forward to the future. Mike's living in the past became annoying to me. Little did I realize that Mike lived in the past because living in the present was so difficult for him. As the years became decades, I would get a yearly phone call from Mike. His marriage had failed, his employment prospects were nil, his parents had both passed away. While I was sympathetic, he never once wanted us to get together. He wouldn't even tell me where he lived.

About a year ago, Mike called and told me that he was getting married again--this time to his high school sweetheart. Would I be the best man? Of course I said yes and he invited me over. It had been 20 years since I had last seen Mike. We kind of stared at each other when I first walked into his home. Mike had gained weight and lost some hair. (Who hasn't?) But when he smiled I saw that the twinkle in his eyes was still there. We laughed and hugged and cried and laughed some more. This time it was me who wanted to relive the past, and as other friends gathered over the next few weeks, we relived those days of carefree innocence. It was one of the most enjoyable times of my life, and I smiled all the way through his wedding. I discovered that I had been wrong. As a history teacher, I have always tried to instill in my students the virtues of having a solid foundation of our nation's past. It is a key to directing our nation's future. But I had forgotten that it is equally important to build your personal future with reference to your past. The people who are sitting with you today are your friends. They are the sources of many of your fondest memories. No one knows where the future may take you. After all, life is what happens while you are making other plans. But try to keep in touch with your friends. Don't make the mistake of wasting 20 years in which new memories could have been made.

I'm certain that many of you are aware that today may be the last time you will all be together. Get around and speak to the members of your class, especially those who aren't necessarily your best friends, and thank them for being a part of your life.

Within not too many years I'll be closing out my time at CHS. Like most of you, I'm not always good at effectively expressing my emotions. But in 1965, The Beatles recorded a rather haunting yet beautiful song entitled "In My Life." It's on the Rubber Soul Album if you can talk your parents into letting you play it. The first verse means a great deal to me, and expresses my feelings towards my family, my friends, my fellow teachers past and present, and the 24 classes I have seen pass through CHS. I hope that years from now its sentiment will be meaningful to you as well. Written by John Lennon, it says:

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places have their moments
of loved ones and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I loved them all

It is now time for the class of 1997 to write their own verses to "In My Life." You have been a credit to both your parents and your school. Your senior pictures in the hallway will always be a reminder of your contributions to the lore of Clearwater High School. Again, thank you for the honor of allowing me to share this day with you. If you are ever in my neighborhood, please stop by. Patty and I would love to have you take us both out for dinner. But, until then, goodbye, and may God bless you all.