05/22/2026
Yesterday, I was honored to deliver the commencement speech for the 50th graduating class in Cibola High School history. I want to thank Principal Kimberly Finke and Activities Director Jeanine Chavez for inviting me to serve as the guest speaker. As a proud member of Cibola’s Class of 1978, I shared some of the life lessons I’ve learned since graduating from Cibola High School.
Here was my speech and hopefully the message helps you, my Facebook friends:
"What an honor it is to stand here with you today as Cibola High School celebrates 50 years since its first graduating class, which took place at the Civic Auditorium that no longer exists. 50 years ago, there was an airport and Cibola High School. There were no McDonalds, baseball and softball fields and no roof over the concourse.
I was a sophomore here in 1976, and the Class of 1978 became the first class to go all four years at Cibola. We were the last class to have our graduation in the gym. So, when I look at you today, I don’t just see graduates. I see the next chapter in a 50-year legacy.
Class of 2026.
I want you to remember this from my experiences after graduating from Cibola High School:
You were born to win.
That does not mean life will always be easy. It does not mean every plan will work, every door will open, or every dream will happen exactly on your schedule. It means you were born with purpose, potential, and the ability to rise.
You will fail at times. Everyone does. But failure is not final. Failure is feedback. Failure teaches you what the classroom cannot. Learn from your failures, adjust, grow, and keep moving. Many of the most successful people in the world were not the people who never failed. They were the people who never gave up.
So dream big.
Dream bigger than your current circumstances. Dream bigger than what others think is realistic. Dream bigger than the noise around you.
And there will be noise.
There will be people who tell you that you can’t do it. There will be critics, doubters, distractions, and sometimes even your own fear. But don’t listen to the noise. Listen to the voice inside you that says, “I can do this.” Right now, I am working on a $40 million project, which I call the Inspiration & Achievement Center, which we hope to announce to the public in the next few months. I am still dreaming!!
Because you can.
You are graduating into a world changing faster than any generation before you. Artificial Intelligence will transform careers, businesses, education, and opportunity. But remember this: AI will not replace you. Someone using AI will. Be that someone.
Use technology. Learn it. Master it. Let it make you more creative, more productive, and more valuable. Don’t run from the future. Lead it.
And please, don’t be average.
Average is comfortable. Average is easy. But average is also crowded. I tell my team of employees that, “Average is the best of the worst.” Don’t settle there. Be excellent. Be dependable. Be the person who shows up early, stays late, keeps promises, and does the right thing when no one is watching.
And here is one of the greatest lessons I can give you: If you want to make more money, help more people. If you want a better life, create value for others. If you want success that lasts, give back to your community.
Your success is not just about what you earn. It is about who you lift. It is about the people you help, the lives you touch, and the difference you make.
Class of 2026, your journey will include challenges. Some things will be difficult. Some goals will take time. But remember: the difficult takes time — the impossible just takes a little longer.
So go forward with courage. Go forward with faith. Go forward with discipline. Go forward knowing that you are part of Cibola history.
Fifty years from now, people may look back at the Class of 2026 and say, “That was the class that dreamed bigger, worked harder, gave more, and changed the world.”
Congratulations, Class of 2026.
You were born to win.
Now go show the world you will be a positive difference maker.
Good Luck!
God Bless You All!
