Aaron’s Graduation Speech [video]
Graduation is a milestone, but it’s also a mirror. It shows you how far you’ve come, and if you’re paying attention, it offers a glimpse of who you’re becoming.
At the recent Lake Street Works graduation, one of the students shared about how the past ten months pushed his class in ways most people will never see. They made hard choices, took real risks, and showed up again and again without knowing exactly where it would lead.
Aaron did the work, not just the assignments. He did the difficult internal work that builds character. What he gained was a deeper understanding of himself and who he’s becoming.
That’s what makes a moment like this one worth paying attention to. Take a couple of minutes to watch or read Aaron’s speech. It’s worth it. And it is a reminder of the impact you make possible when you support Urban Ventures.
Aaron’s Graduation Speech
Hello everybody. My name is Aaron Dungy. What's interesting is that... that name meant something different to me 10 months ago, before I started this program.
Back then, it was the name of a wrestler, it identified me as an athlete, showed a win/loss record next to it. But It didn't carry behind it the kind of person I wanted to see myself as, or who I was striving to be. Because I didn't know yet.
Lake Street Works asked us these questions, which were quite difficult to answer, what our values were, what fueled us. And of course,... the big rocks; how we spend our time. This was especially challenging for me personally. I blanked, became frustrated, and questioned how they expected us to come up with something on the spot or what the point was... Then, only 3-4 months into the program I was put into a tough choice. My head coach in wrestling wanted my total involvement in the upcoming season... it was my senior year, I was also a captain... I mean, I was wrestling. It's how people at my school knew me, I mean like I said earlier, it's how I knew myself.
But, I chose LSW, to dive into this new unknown, along with everyone here. And attempting to answer the question, not of who I was. But who I wanted to be... Yeah. this program hit hard
from day one. There was no 'autopilot' You either showed up or got left behind, and if coach Atlas was driving the bus: then literally. Many that started with us didn't make it here tonight for that very reason. So, I can say with absolute confidence, everyone standing here earned it.
You deserve to be here. So, congratulations. spark audience clapping
Throughout this program, we learned the value of a strong network; because progress isn't just about WHAT you know... “It’s WHO you know” (said by students) The connections we've made and the lessons we've learned have begun to lay a foundation that we'll carry forward. One of LSW's Core Values is Duty. To me, duty is not a burden, but a privilege. It's a privilege of being part of something extending deeper than yourself. Special Thanks to the Coaches, who taught us these core values, not by telling them, but by embodying them every day.
They are the reason Lake Street…..Works.