Pamlico 8th Grade Commencement!

I was honored to deliver the commencement speech for the 8th grade class at Pamlico Middle School. I titled my speech "Grow like a weed". I want these young people to grow over the next 720 days with the same tenacity, relentlessness, and persistence as the stubborn weeds in our gardens. See, weeds don't require optimum lighting, pampering, or food...all they need is a cultivated piece of ground! Check out these amazing students getting ready for 9th grade.

To the 2013 Graduates!

This moment will never happen again...Exactly 20 years ago I was in the same position you are presently in. I have attached a picture of me with Broadway Musical Star Carl Anderson. He played Judas Iscariot in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Rock Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1993 I was honored to see this performance live, go back stage to meet the cast, and spend some extended time with Carl. The thing he told me as I was planning on going to Broadway myself was... "Whatever you do, sell out to it!" This applies to the next phases of life you all will encounter- College, employment, marriage, children, faith, ANYTHING! Carl performed for tens of millions of fans all across the globe, and his formula for success as a film and theater actor was... Sell out to all that you do, and do nothing half way... This is my message for the graduating class of 2013. And though I chose a different path than Broadway, I still apply Carl's message to my life 20 Years later... it works! God Bless. CL~