Dream it, then live it, T-birds advised

OREM — Imagine the future, then live it.

That seemed to be the central theme of the eight speakers during the Timpview High School graduation May 24 at Utah Valley State College.

During the 2006-07 school year, the school took four state athletic awards, ranked high in state music competitions and handed out more than $1 million in scholarships to graduating seniors, said Senior Class President Philip White. The school graduated 355 seniors.

White noted that fear stops people from attempting new adventures; the worst of which is failure.

"If you don't try, the worst has already happened," he said. "(Don't) live a life of 'what ifs' and 'if onlys," he said.

Valedictorian Cathy Leavy urged classmates to make positive connections with others as they go through life.

"What would happen if all the Jews and all the Arabs got together for lunch? Talk about world peace," she said.

"Choose what you love," said honorary valedictorian Kenneth Brewer, speaking of future careers. That way people will presevere in their work. (Brewer garnered more than $300,000 in scholarships.)

Salutatorian Jordan Pearce recalled the last year in high school and paid homage to those who helped the seniors through their last year — parents, teachers, administrators and fellow students.

"After all, it is through the help of others that we're all here today," she said.

"Don't let anyone steal your dream," said speaker Brook Jasperson. "Don't let life pass you by. Become the person you imagine you can be."

"Who do you imagine yourself to be?" asked speaker Elizabeth Dabczynski. "Mold your dream to what you want. Visualize. We will live the lives we have imagined."

"Trust me," Principal George Bayless said as he hung a T-shirt on the podium with those words emblazoned across the top. He advised students to "go" and "live."

To go means to move either forward or backward depending on one's choices. The "go" back indicated a lack of effort and destination, he said. To "live" means to strive — to take a chance.

"Soak up the adventures of every day. It's a tragedy to get to the end of life and have a clean uniform," he said

"Where will your dreams take you?" Provo School District board member Sue Curtis asked. "Consult those who have gone before you," she said.

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com