Jay Acosta is the Kennedale High School Classof 2019 Salutatorian. Jay is the son of Jose and Norma. He will be attending the University of Texas at Austin,
where he plans to major in Computer Science.??{{more: continue …}}
?Jay received the University of Texas PresidentialScholarship, worth $20,000.
Jay was member of the 2019 KHS Science and
Computer Science Teams, both which placed in the top 3 at the UIL State
Academic Meet. He was 1st Chair saxophone in the Wildcat Band and was named to the
All Region Jazz Band. He as a member of the
KHS Marching Band that finished in the top 5 at the UIL State Marching Contest
in 2018.
Jay wants to have his own software company and to be an entrepreneur.?The following is his speech to the Class of 2019 …??
Greetings ladies and gentleman. It is my great pleasure to be here delivering the salutatorian address because for the past three years I have been able to sit with the band during graduation and listen to some of the most intelligent, ingenious students of Kennedale High School.??Through these three years, one thing has become apparent: people saying to “follow your dreams” sounds good and all, but that Chick-fil-A sandwich I just imagined sounds even better.?
No matter where life will take you, you will inevitably be faced with disappointment. Disappointment will try to ruin you. It will weigh you down. But disappointment is not the same as failure. To me, I see disappointment as a feeling, but failure as an action. You may have a lingering feeling of disappointment over your head, but unless you say the words, “I have failed,” you will remain resilient.
Although all of this seems rather trivial, don’t worry about disappointment’s arrival. Worrying won’t do anything. Instead, take a moment to reflect. Think about what you have done. Think, is this the best path for me? Have I changed myself? The community? The world? If you answered no, I say to you one thing: change. Change your perspective and actions to what you truly seek to accomplish.?
?Note: This is the written version of the speech given at graduation, May 26, 2019.
