As prepared for delivery...
Friday, June 6, 2008 6:00 p.m.
Hilton Park Hotel, Nicosia

Graduation Ceremony
The American International School in Cyprus

Remarks by Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher

Good evening. It is a real honor for me to address such a dedicated, hard working, and outstanding group of students. I want to thank all of you associated with the American International School in Cyprus -- teachers, staff, and parents -- for inviting me to today’s prestigious ceremony.

But, most of all, I am here to acknowledge you, the graduating class of 2008. Congratulations! You made it! Though you are graduating, indeed, moving on, today actually marks a new beginning, a commencement, the start of a life-long journey and search for knowledge. Indeed, as we all graduate from one year to the next, one experience to another, we never stop learning. Most importantly, we should never stop questioning.

Today, we are celebrating your educational achievements, as well as the excellence and quality of your institution, the American International School in Cyprus. We are also honoring those who have helped you along the way: your teachers, who have shared their gift of knowledge and inspired you with their own curiosity about the larger world around us. Our teachers are the ones empowered to create healthy and motivating educational environments, within which we are all able to question and learn.

We must also pay tribute to our parents, who are our very first teachers; those who have given us the gift of life and who have equipped us with the necessary tools to go out into the world.

It is obvious to me upon meeting all of you associated with the AISC that your institution is marked by strong values that inspire students to become enthusiastic, life-long learners.

I celebrate AISC’s strong commitment to integrity, cultural diversity, and the pursuit of excellence. I also celebrate AISC for being outward looking and embracing the larger world.

I am struck by the fact that many of you will soon be moving your lives to new places far away from home, perhaps even traveling across oceans.  Many of you are headed for a seminal, life-determining adventure -- a university education abroad.  You are on your way to finding a place in the larger world, and for that, you are lucky. 

You are stepping out into an ever-increasingly global world and, from this point forward, you will expose yourself and be exposed to broader and more dynamic ideas, people, and possibilities. This may feel liberating, empowering, and, perhaps, a little bit scary.

You will have opportunities that your parents could only have dreamed of. Indeed, they may not always understand you and your choices, but press on and keep exploring and exposing yourself to new experiences and opportunities, while at the same time valuing, respecting, and treasuring your family and friends.

I cannot encourage you enough to be open-minded and to take reasonable chances.

I once sat in your position. When I graduated from high school -- in fact, it was 34 years ago to this very day -- I was pretty certain that I would become a lawyer and practice law in the area where I come from, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I earned my bachelor’s degree, and then a degree in law. I did exactly what I had planned to do: I knew what I wanted, I prescribed a logical path to my goal, and I followed it.

However, the wider world beckoned me. One day, walking down the halls of the University of Tennessee, I saw an announcement for something called the Foreign Service examination. I thought that this sounded interesting and, since I was a good test taker, thought I might as well give it a shot. And, when I passed the exam, I suddenly had a new and unexpected opportunity present itself to me. And I thought, well, I have plenty of time to practice law in Tennessee; I’ll try the Foreign Service for a few years, see a bit of the world, and then I’ll head back home to do what I originally intended. The rest, as they say, is history. I have had a wonderful career as a diplomat for over twenty-five years, and I have not made it back to practice law in Tennessee yet. My whole life changed because I took a chance and took a test. Therefore, I encourage you to embrace opportunities, accept challenges, and keep an open mind to avenues outside of previous plans.

Life is filled with wonderful surprises and detours. Sometimes you do need to take that alternative path. And that’s the point I want to get across to you today: work hard, have a good general idea of your goals, but don’t be afraid of those detours, and, take chances.

Don’t be afraid to change course and try new things. When you see an opportunity -- go for it!

By the same token, as we do our homework and remain lifelong learners, we are in a better position to take advantages opportunities that may arise. As the saying goes, chance favors the well prepared. For example, I became an ardent student of Arabic and French, and of the cultures and history of the Middle East region. My ability to communicate in the local language opened my life to new friendships, which I will treasure forever, and to professional opportunities, which in fact led me eventually to Cyprus.

The American International School has provided you with the tools to begin your lifelong journey of personal and professional development. Each of you in your own way will capitalize on the foundation the AISC has given to you.

Class of 2008 - I believe that this is your time.  This is your time to define your goals, to decide who you want to be, and to decide what kind of role you will play in making the world a better place to live in.  This is your time to say, “We can do it better.”  I know that with commitment, talent, and passion -- you will all make great contributions to this world.

Graduates -- your parents, teachers, and the administration of this fine institution are all so very proud of you this evening. We celebrate how far you have come, but we look forward with eagerness and anticipation to see how far you will go. We look forward to hearing of your exploits during the coming years.

We know that you will come to appreciate more and more how well the American International School of Cyprus has equipped you for life.

You and your parents have worked very hard to make sure today -- this day -- would happen:  And so I say to you: WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS!  Thank you.