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Mr. Britton, distinguished faculty (McDonogh’s daily inspirations,) Cum Laude members of all ages, proud parents of this morning’s inductees, freshmen who have endured the theater’s back rows, sophomores who next September will begin what some say is the school’s hardest year, juniors who will in a few weeks move into the “front rows”, and the class of 2009 – the school’s student leaders – I am profoundly honored to be with each of you this morning.

But, I confess I am extremely nervous. When Tiger Woods was asked whether he is nervous on the golf course, he said – always – because it is the emotional indicator that he cares. Whenever I drive up the main drive, teach Mr. Britton’s ninth graders, come to a concert or game, or simply visit, I always leave with the same feeling – McDonogh is a special place - packed with gifted teachers and joyful kids. Sure, my objectivity can be questioned, but the more I am away from the McDonogh family, the more I treasure it. Seniors, I suspect many of you will know what I mean as you experience your college years away from this place on the hill.

Therefore returning to this stage, this podium, this unique setting is nerve wracking – but a privilege. To soothe my anxiety I envision Ceres Horn’s inimitable smile seen in her portrait behind us in the lobby. I briefly flashback to hundreds of special moments which took place in this theater. Right here – the first performance entitled “Brick By Brick” in 1998 ( some of you seniors were probably in first grade), Livingston Taylor, A Faculty “Talent” Show to benefit the New Orleans McDonogh-26, dance, jazz and band concerts, the look on Coach Sanborn’s face when Tristram Thomas '05, one of McDonogh’s greatest runners, broke his leg in the first scene of "West Side Story," the Morgan State Chorus, the recent "Romeo and Juliet," town meetings for the purpose of speaking truthfully to each other about matters of the conscience, heart and mind, even countless senior assemblies and Mr. G.Q., which are indelible examples of enthusiastic attempts to inject life, humor, honesty, talent, and variety into daily routine. I pray that you will find something in my remarks which you will regard as helpful, or meaningful, or memorable.

I will be mindful of the advice many seniors were not shy in offering me. Often I would ask them for their thoughts about the remarks I prepared for graduation. Without hesitation, they would simply state: “Keep it short.” I promise you as Henry VIII supposedly said to each of his six wives, “I shall not keep you long.”

I will share three brief stories. Each has been instrumental in helping me understand the “real world” or who I am. Perhaps one of them will stir some thoughts in you. Each is strictly factual, no embellishment. They explore the differences between living in a fantasy world and taking responsibility to make dreams come true. They suggest that our current culture worships the expediency of deceit – not the courage of truthfulness. Finally, how the power of one person and one event can guide you forever. I shall give you the “keep it short” versions.

A few years ago a sophomore came into my office. “Mr. D.”, she said, “I have a question.” She declared that it was her dream, her goal, to attend Georgetown University and be the first member of her family to attend college. “Do I have a chance?” I asked her to give me a brief profile – grades, work ethic, and extracurricular involvement. Essentially she had mostly B’s and C’s, a 2.7 average, worked only on things which “did not bore her,” and was not very involved here or in her community.

Without trying to discourage her, I said, “Your goal is really a fantasy. It is not a goal.” She wanted to know the difference. When people identify dreams/goals, but fail to live their lives consistently to achieve those goals – then they are really fantasies – not goals. A few tears emerged as if to say, “Gee, Mr. D. – you are a great help. I guess my dream is dead – now what should I do?”

I invited her to return the next day. Fortunately, she did not completely write me off and she returned. The next day I gave her the data that summarized the last 15 students from McDonogh who were accepted at Georgetown. The average grade-point-average was slightly above 3.6, but it was accompanied by a significant engagement with the McDonogh community and community service. I asked her whether her goal/fantasy was important enough to her to change her daily behavior – her habits - her attitude. For example, I even suggested that she spend six hours each weekend working on her goal. She gave me one of those, “Are you crazy?” looks. In response – “I don’t care if you get into Georgetown, but if it is something you truly value, you will find six hours out of 48 on the weekend to devote to your goal.”

Cutting to the chase, she had outstanding junior and senior years, became more disciplined, managed her time wisely, and ultimately understood the difference between a fantasy and a goal. She was disciplined and determined enough to change her behavior so that it was consistent with her dream. Interestingly enough, she turned down the Georgetown offer to attend Penn.

Make no mistake, I want each of you to dream, and for your dreams to come true, but don’t just throw pennies in a fountain, and expect somehow that your dreams will materialize. For your dreams to come true you must be willing to confront the connection between your daily behavior and what you want and - you are old enough to do this. So many of us dream without asking ourselves what we can do to turn those dreams into reality. And, guess what? Even when you work diligently to pursue a dream, it does not always materialize or come true. But I guarantee you that your efforts will lay the foundation for other dreams which will become reality. Know the difference between a fantasy and a dream.

We have all heard the mantra – “the truth shall set you free.” (From The Bible – John, chapter 8) I was finishing my junior year in college and had just a couple of final exams to survive. Two of my classmates had a Monday morning Philosophy exam but decided to drive a couple of hours to New York City on Sunday to attend the N.Y. Mets – San Francisco Giants game on May 31, 1964. They did not anticipate that game would last 23 innings plus take 7 hours and 32 minutes and end up being one of the longest baseball games in the 1960s. The Mets lost 8-6. For you trivia buffs, technically, the longest baseball game in history was a 33-inning game between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. The game lasted eight hours and 25 minutes. Regretfully, my classmates did not get back to the dorm until early Monday morning with little time to study. Rather than confess to their professor (who actually was a Mets fan), they went to him before the exam to beg for an extension. However, they carefully manufactured a “story”, claiming to have left in time to study but having a flat tire which took hours to repair on the N.J. Turnpike.

Being a reasonable person, the professor agreed to allow them to take the exam in his office on Tuesday morning. Relieved, the two took comfort that their desperate - perhaps transparent fabrication had bought them the necessary study time.

Tuesday morning they reported to the Philosophy Department office prepared for questions involving logic, existentialism, nihilism, Immanuel Kant, or Sigmund Freud. They were ushered into separate rooms and given the exam. It contained one question typed in capital letters – “WHICH TIRE WAS FLAT?” One said the left front; the other guessed right back. Caught in a blatant and unnecessary lie to a reasonable, empathetic teacher, their next stop was to the Honor Committee. My university was not a believer in second chances. Both were permanently dismissed from the school.

Regrettably, we are surrounded today by people of all ages who lack the character and the courage to tell the truth. If time permitted, you and I could make a long list of politicians, athletes and corporate leaders who tragically avoid the truth to protect “their reputation.” One small “lie” breaks trust, breaks peoples’ hearts, and leads to consequences which far outweigh the pain of looking squarely in the eyes of your colleague, your friend, your teacher, your mother, father, – and telling the truth. Yes, honesty takes courage, and Winston Churchill had it just right when he claimed that “Courage is the First of human qualities, because it guarantees all the others. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act despite your fears.” At the risk of “preaching,” which I know you dislike, please have the courage to tell the truth – particularly to those whom you love and who love you. I can hear you thinking. But if I tell my mom, my dad, my teacher, my coach – he/she will “kill me.” Sure maybe the car is taken away or you are “grounded”, or you sit on the bench for a while, but I repeat, not being honest particularly to people who care for you the most is cowardly. I hope in those tough moments you choose to be courageous even if you fear the consequences.

Last story. Only this time I will merely tell the story. If you elect to, you can think about it privately or discuss its meaning. You are also perfectly free to dismiss it as just a story unworthy of further thought, but the following events taught me more than any other. If you are so inclined I would welcome your thoughts via e-mail. Thankfully I am still bdixon@mcdonogh.org.

I have always loved the game of soccer, and played it in high school and college. I was a starting midfielder on my college team for three years. It was the week after Thanksgiving and time for the annual post-season banquet after my junior year when they announce who would be next year’s captain. I allowed myself to believe that I would be that lucky person. Awesome, I thought, to be chosen to lead my college team. After dinner the announcement was made and to my surprise my roommate, and best friend, David Hackett, was named the captain. His nickname was Moose; he was a tough, hard-nosed defender, but he did not have the “minutes” I had. For the next few weeks I went into a tailspin of self-pity and denial that anyone could lead better. Even the old standard, “Hell, maybe I should quit,” entered my mind.

In short, Moose spent the summer before our senior year at Quantico, Virginia training to become an officer in the Marines. He returned for pre-season in the kind of shape I could only “dream” of. I had set goals that summer, but, guess what - they were fantasies more than realities. In word and deed, he was an inspiring leader. In August, after graduation he went to Vietnam as a second lieutenant. I will never forget that moment in March 1967 that I learned he had been killed while attacking Hill 881. It is one of those 9/11 moments which causes me to recall precisely where I was and what I was doing. I think of him frequently – his sense of humor, his love of Victor Borge, a Danish-American humorist, entertainer, and world class pianist, and Bob Dylan. He loved Edgar Rice Burroughs who wrote all the Tarzan books. Moose wanted to write his senior thesis on him. Needless to say, the English Department rejected that proposal. Moose to this day remains a mentor, a source of inspiration, and the best captain in my life. My past and current relationship with Moose defines the way I live. Perhaps the story will provoke some thought for you when you encounter a disappointment which seems inexplicable.

Each of you has and will have your own stories. What I hope is that what you learn at McDonogh will help you form a set of core values which belong to you – are yours and yours alone. And because they are your core values, they do not change depending on the situation. When you are called to make a decision about honesty, about drinking, about sex, about personal relationships, about your dreams, you consult your core principles. If they change at will, they are not your values. Rather they are random mostly hollow ideas which you can conveniently maneuver to justify whatever action you choose. The core beliefs that you own are your reference points.

I am finishing a book called "The Survivors Club" by Ben Sherwood, which explores the secrets and science that could save your life. The author enrolls in the Aviation Survival Training Center in Miramar, California, where pilots learn the art and craft of escaping from crashing jets and sinking helicopters. The center molds warriors and survivors. In one of the tests, they strap you in a chair, crash you into a pool, flip you upside down, sink you to the bottom, and tell you to escape wearing 25 pounds of equipment. The essential, critical thing you need to do if you are not going to drown, is to maintain your reference point, basically where is up and where is out. In the most chaotic situations that means identifying and holding on to something that will help you remain oriented no matter how many times you flip over or get banged on the head. If you keep your point of reference, you will never get lost or confused. Therefore, I recommend respectfully that if you have not already, you will develop your personal reference point – those few things which lie at the center of your soul and that define who you are and are not negotiable – depending on the “situation.” I hope my stories and most importantly, your stories will help you discover your core – your reference point, living without it is like hiking without a compass. Both lack a sense of purpose. I trust that you will experience the joy of knowing what lies deep in your heart, your soul, and your mind.

As always, I treasure my moments in your school – McDonogh continues to mean the world to me and my family. I shall remain interested in each of your stories. Thanks so much for inviting me to share this moment.