The following is a speech that was delivered by eighth-grade student Grace Watters ('20) at the Opening Convocation of Darlington's 111th school year, Aug. 19, 2015.
I am Grace Watters. When I graduate in 2020 (if all goes as planned), I will be the 14th Watters to graduate from Darlington School. History and legacy are the foundations of our School, and that my family has been a part of this school since the 1940s makes it a part of my history and legacy, too.
This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Darlington Honor Code, "Honor Above Everything." Reading and reciting this code is important, but actually living these words and what they represent is more important AND often challenging. The Honor Code is a statement about what our School believes and expects from each of us about what is right and what is wrong.
When we live the Honor Code, we are declaring that we will behave with integrity, we will do the right thing, and we will make sure our friends and classmates do the same. When we say that we will not cheat, or lie, or steal, we are saying that we will live a life of integrity. That means that we will do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Or even when the whole world is watching, like on social media.
It means that we hold ourselves to a high standard.
I don’t know every faculty or staff member or every student at Darlington, and I cannot list every person who best represents our Honor Code, but when I think about the people who have personally demonstrated our Honor Code to me in the way they do their jobs and treat others, several names come to mind.
We will all agree that Beth Smith, Steve McConnell and Laura Hicks truly represent and live the Darlington Honor Code. And Gracie Padgett, Trinity Pyle, and Jay Watters are a few of the students who obviously put into practice all that our Honor Code represents.
We are fortunate to be a part of a school family that values honor as much as it does academics, athletics, and art. When we are encouraged to live our lives in a way that is good and honorable and right, we are being given a character trait that will serve us well for the rest of our lives.
There is a quote that my parents have shared with me by Frank Outlaw, that reminds us the importance of all that we think and do:
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
As we begin this school year, each of us should challenge ourselves to live our lives in a way that represents the very best of our 100-year-old Honor Code.
Honor above everything.
Click here to see photos from Convocation 2015.
