PREECEVILLE — Heidi Paterson was chosen by the Preeceville School Graduation Class of 2025 to give the guest speaker address on June 20.
“Life is full of opportunities,” stated Paterson.
“Opportunities are different than choices. In your formative years, you are often given choices and options. These choices are usually safe. The risk is known, and the outcome is predictable.
"In contrast, opportunities are messy, uncharted, exciting and sometimes scary. When I was younger, I was privileged to have parents who strongly advocated for my opportunities as a hard-of-hearing person. Attending public school in addition to taking French, band and drama classes was a fight. My mother was my speech therapist and my educational assistant. My father did not tolerate excuses. I tried the phrase, 'I did not hear that assignment was due tomorrow,' once. Unsuccessfully. Embracing these opportunities was hard work. It was scary work. It took me many years to internalize a lesson that I feel is the most important concept that I could ever teach you.
"How you think about yourself and talk about yourself is a catalyst that can either propel or hinder you in your pursuit of your dreams. Too often, imposter syndrome invades our thought process. We tell ourselves, 'I cannot do this,' 'I am not qualified for this,' or 'There is no way I can manage this.' Overcoming those intrusive thoughts is challenging, but it is also life-changing. Twenty-seven years ago, a professor asked me to do a senior high science student-teacher placement. I was terrified. I argued, rather tearfully, for over a week to try to change his mind. I am where I am today because he taught me to believe in my capacity as a person and as a professional. Three years ago, I had the same self-doubt invading my thoughts.
"Sometimes, we dismiss an opportunity before we even have a chance to consider its possibilities. Challenge those thoughts that tell you that you are not good enough. Are these thoughts truthful or based on fear? What is the evidence, not the thoughts, that will help you make the best choice?
"When life pulls you down and the negative thoughts creep in, we, the people who support you and cheer you on, are here to help you overcome that. We will help you see life for its possibilities rather than its limitations.
"You are a precious collection of abilities, tastes, traits and emotions that no one else in Creation has. You do have the skills to tackle that hard question. You are deserving of that scholarship. Of course, you are qualified to apply for that program. Yes, you are capable of doing that dream job. You have to believe in you.
"Life’s opportunities are rarely delivered neatly packaged, Amazon delivery on your front doorstep. It is up to you to seize those opportunities like the last homemade dill pickle in the jar. Put in the effort to challenge your thoughts and make the messy decisions. Work hard. The only one holding you back is you.
"Believe in yourselves because I believe in you," concluded Paterson.
