‘Be selfish,’ Piñon grads urged

PIÑON, Ariz.

Piñon High School’s 82 graduates got permission to “be selfish” at their commencement ceremony Saturday. But in a good way.

What former teacher Cameron Shepherd meant, he explained in his speech to the Class of 2016, was to “take care of yourself today so you can enjoy tomorrow.”

“This is the one time in your life you can be selfish,” he said, “and that’s OK … Do you really need to stay up late? Do you need to go to that party?”

Instead, he urged, do the things that will bring you closer to your goals.

Shepherd noted that, after high school, no one is going to hand things to the grads. They will be responsible for themselves.

“If you want something,” he said, “you’re going to have to go and get it.

“If you are in college, YOU make the effort to talk to your professors. You need to start talking to people now.

“If you want a job, they are out there. After you apply, you call. You call the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that.”

Aside from that, Shepherd said, “Please pay your taxes, and please vote.”

Also: “Always tip your waitress.”

Shepherd was one of three keynote speakers at the graduation that packed the gym and spilled over into the foyer. He was assigned the topic of “The Future,” while Piñon Unified School District Athletic Director Mark Gathmann took “The Past” and counselor Gretchen McCulley had “The Present.”

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