Salutatorian's Speech Uses Ali's Words

By William Cavedon

Good afternoon and welcome to all parents, siblings and distinguished guests. I would like to extend a Happy Father’s Day to all father figures in the audience and I would also like to thank all parents and loved ones present today because I know that none of us would be here today without the love and support we have received from you.

Would all graduates please join me in showing our gratitude towards everyone in attendance today? On the count of three, please give a big thank you to all of our loved ones who have helped get us here.

One, two, three….THANK YOU!

I am William Cavedon, Salutatorian of the Berlin High School class of 2012. 

There were many things that I considered speaking about today, but I decided I would like to take this opportunity to teach everyone a lesson on philosophy.  However, I want to focus on a man who does not gain as much credit, and is not as well known for his deep thoughts that have shaped the world.  I do not want to lecture you on Aristotle, Socrates or Plato. Instead, the most influential philosopher for my life had the birth name of Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.  For any non-sports fans in the audience, you may be more familiar with his current name and more publicized, Muhammad Ali.

Yes, he is the greatest boxer of all time, but one of his famous quotes has stuck with me and helped me to live my life a certain way. In following his wisdom, everyone in this auditorium will know how to lead a successful and happy life.

Muhammad Ali said “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." This quote was meant to describe his boxing style however many do not realize that this is also a philosophical statement of how a person should live his or her life.

“Float like a butterfly” is meant to be a description of a person’s attitude towards life. Butterflies are happy creatures that float through life and often bring smiles to people’s faces. The sight of a butterfly is a reminder that spring and summer are coming and after a long winter, the spotting of a butterfly is often a joyous occasion. Butterflies are never seen as hostile, but rather, as animals that are enjoying their time on Earth and making the most of it. 

As I have walked the halls of the Berlin Public School System, I have viewed people that have embraced the belief of floating like a butterfly. There are graduates here that I have never seen frowning in my years of schooling and I do not think they even have the ability to. These people are embracing life, enjoying their friends and families and they are also the ones who have the easiest time getting out of bed in the morning because they are ready and happy to live.  You, graduates, are not all butterflies, though.

Other graduates currently follow the phrase “sting like a bee” which is Ali’s way of preaching that people must seize any and all opportunities that arise.  A bee is a fierce animal that will sting a person when it feels threatened so as to not let it, or its fellow bees, be harmed. Bees do not sit on their heels and wait for danger to fall in their laps, they are willing to fly out and protect what they believe in. 

While there are many butterflies in the class of 2012, there are also many bees.  There are graduates who with their hard work and tenacity have received awards for their artistic and musical abilities, scholarships to top-ranked universities and internships at major corporations. These graduates did not waste their time in high school, but rather worked to their fullest potential, improved their standing against their peers, and seized the wonderful opportunities presented to them. They are the bees of the class of 2012, but being a bee is not all it takes to be successful and not all of you exhibit the traits of a bee on a daily basis.

As I look out into the crowd, I see there are as many bees as there are butterflies. However, the most successful people in the world are neither bees nor butterflies; they are a combination of both. While loving life is great, a person cannot float through life and be successful. On the other hand, having tenacity is a wonderful trait, but a person who is strictly a bee will never find happiness. When the traits of a bee and a butterfly are combined, a person of perfect balance is formed. I challenge you, graduates of the class of 2012, to become a person of perfect balance. I challenge you to always remember and live by the teachings of the Greatest philosopher of all time. I challenge you to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.