Uncapped Jubilation
The anticipation of what’s next
Bouquets of flowers for moms and grads. Caps flying in the air in jubilation. Diplomas dispersed. Mugs of appreciation for teachers and nurses. Rings and vows exchanged. Moving vans on the go. Flags unfurled in memorial. There is a restless energy to May that is unique. For years, I have fondly referred to it as “Mayhem” because it always feels like there is so much going on. So much transition. So many big moments.
But, of all the Mayhem, I think the chaos I relish most is that of all the graduations. Yes, there will be controversy over chosen speakers. Yes, there will be long, sleep-inducing ceremonies. Yes, there will be uncomfortable robes, lost tassels, and decorated hats. Yes, there will be weather, parking, and travel challenges. But, amidst it all, there is a unique kind of joy.
Joy of accomplishment.
Joy of familial pride.
Joy of anticipation.
In my life, there has been no rite of passage I have witnessed more frequently — a hazard of being an educator for so many years and having a large family. In fact, I cannot remember the last year I have not attended a graduation. But there is something about the first few notes of “Pomp and Circumstance” that makes my heart swell. Maybe I’m just a sap. But I think it’s something more than that. There is a hopefulness in this moment, an energy that says, “If I work hard, good things can happen.”
I remember each of my graduations and those of my children distinctly. At my high school graduation, we all snuck plastic rings under our robes to throw into the air throughout the ceremony. And then there was my daughter’s NYU graduation at Yankee Stadium, in the pouring rain, when she and her friends ordered stadium snacks. Or my youngest’s high school graduation, where we all embarrassed them with handheld masks depicting their many phases over the years.
But hijinks aside, the ritual captures the energy of youth and hopefulness for the future, reminding us annually that we can do great things when we put our minds to it. Every year, as I look into the sea of young faces (and sometimes older ones), Mary Oliver’s words, “Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” echo in my mind.
“Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~ Mary Oliver
That walk down the aisle to receive that diploma signifies the end of one journey, but the beginning of another. It is a transition from accomplishment to “what do I do now?” It is a myriad of emotions — relief, pride, sentimentality, anxiety, anticipation, fatigue, and renewed energy. But, in the sea of graduate faces at those ceremonies and on social media, resides one irrefutable sentiment —
Hope.
These scholars, regardless of how rocky the path to that stage was, are looking to the future. They are asking themselves, “What’s next?” Whether they are stepping up from preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college undergrad, or graduate school, they are moving forward. They are ready to take on the challenges they will inevitably face and make their mark on the world. So congratulations to all of the graduates, their families, and their friends. And I ask you, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
For those who have no graduations this year or in the future, I invite you to take inspiration from some of these famous lines from graduation speeches over the years:
NPR’s List of Best Commencement Speeches
“Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day: civility, respect, kindness, character.” ~ Aaron Sorkin
“You can go slow. Allow your dreams and goals to change, but live an intentional life.” ~ Kumail Nanjiani
“Your time is limited. Don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” ~ Steve Jobs
“Have the wisdom to recognize the best in others while always demanding the best from yourself.” ~ Madeleine Albright
“Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.” ~ Neil Gaiman
“Check your ego at the door and start checking your gut instead.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
“What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was right there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. … As a goal in life, you could do worse than try to be kinder.” ~ George Saunders
“You get to make your own luck. 80% of success in your career will come from just showing up. The world is run by those who show up…not those who wait to be asked.” ~ Steve Blank
“If you own this story, then you get to write the ending.” ~ Brené Brown
“The most important thing is this: to sacrifice what you are now for what you can become tomorrow.” ~ Shannon Alder
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (Granted, this is not from an actual commencement speech, but it has been used in many. And you know…I just can’t resist RWE.)
Now don’t you feel inspired ot take on the world??? Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time and for reading my words. ✨
Do you have a favorite graduation memory? I’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments!
ⓒ Angie Gascho 2026. All rights reserved.
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Thanks for the hope!
I recently found the high school graduation speech I gave in 1977, and it really made me smile. I made reference to 13 years of homework, 3:30 bells, and cafeteria food. With my 18 years of mighty wisdom, I appealed to my peers to pay as much attention to how they achieved their goals as to the goals themselves. I extolled the joys of backpacking. What I didn’t know then simply wasn’t worth knowing, or so I thought. So humorous!