Alva Review-Courier -

The big day finally arrived. A packed auditorium of family members and friends watched as the Alva High School Class of 2018 filed in for commencement ceremonies Friday night. An overflow crowd could witness the proceedings on video in the cafeteria.

High School Principal Les Potter welcomed guests and introduced the dignitaries on stage. The AHS mixed choir, directed by Kenneith McIntosh, beautifully voiced the lyrics of "Fly Away Home."

Featured speaker Lance McDaniel stepped to the podium to deliver words of advice. But first he related some of his experiences in the Alva schools.

"I grew up at 524 13th Street across the street from what I believe to be the world's greatest stickball field that is now filled with Stations of the Cross of the Catholic Church. I sang in the Alva Boys' Choir, I played little league football down by the Armory, I got my first tooth kicked out by an Alva cheerleader when I was holding a megaphone at my brother's high school game. Luckily because I'm from Alva, I was also educated by the greatest teachers on earth."

McDaniel described his career in the 30 years since high school including managing advertising campaigns for very recognizable brand names, building the first website for Starbucks, working on an Oscar winning movie with Clint Eastwood and running a film festival in Oklahoma City that brings in 30,000 people.

"But like all of your parents and probably every single person in this room, life has not always been easy and fun," he said. "There have been hundreds of times when I've messed up."

He said like everyone he had failed. "But each time I failed, I picked myself up. I dusted off my jeans and hopped back on the horse.

"Life is not defined by our failures. It is defined by how we react to the successes and failures we experience. It is defined by how we treat everybody."

McDaniel described the heady freedom of suddenly being on your own away from parental rules. But he also described the times when you start feeling alone and homesick. He reminded the students that the "people in Alva always have your back." McDaniel told his personal experiences of returning to Alva as proof.

McDaniel then listed four things to consider:

• Be grateful. "Be grateful for your family and friends. Be grateful, because you were raised in Alva, Oklahoma, for the opportunities you have been given. Be grateful that you are part of this community that loves and cares about you unconditionally."

• Be kind and forgiving. "Be kind and forgiving to others. It is hard and only gets harder. People are annoying, and the older you get the more annoying people seem. Be patient. Respond to their anger with kindness and understanding even when it would be easier to yell back. You can solve the peace, you can be a peacemaker. Also be kind and forgiving to yourself. "

• Take chances. "You are surrounded by all this love and support. So use that energy, use that confidence to take chances in your own life. Sign up for challenging classes that scare you; travel somewhere overseas; learn a new language; open your mind to new ideas."

• Go out and change the world. "That sounds like a big job, but you are up for it. And I know that's true because graduates of Alva High School have been changing the world for years."

McDaniel cited the work of AHS grad Lex Frieden who is considered the chief architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act, AHS grad Janet Cunningham who is the first female president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, AHS graduate Brock Schnebel who is the doctor for the OU Sooners and the U.S. Olympic team and AHS grad Halah Simon who is an award-winning teacher working right here in Alva High. "You know she's changed lives because she changed every one of yours."

McDaniel concluded, "So when you leave here tonight, walk confidently knowing that wherever you decide to go, there will always be a community of people right here in Alva cheering you on."