 |
| Jon LaFontaine |
The beginning.
A chapter concludes for a student at Appalachian State University May 9.
Why is this important?
If you find yourself asking this question, it’s not important… yet.
Half a decade at Appalachian helps shed light on maturity from each individual, and I can honestly say, you will remember this for the rest of your life.
It doesn’t matter from where you remember it; you will remember it.
It’s breathing.
It’s living, surviving and struggling.
It’s the meaning of life, and it’s the simplest concept known to humanity.
Choice.
Choice is the answer to life and the simplest concept known to all.
Choice provides you with an opportunity to take life to forks in the road.
Having a choice is the reason humanity places so much merit in respect, status, survivability and voice.
The choices you make during your collegiate career develop you emotionally, spiritually and physically into the being that will portray life at its most beautiful.
I could carry on about apathy, lack of leadership, lack of self-starters, or disrespect, but it would be pointless at this juncture.
You are who you are, class of 2010.
You are who you are, faculty and staff at Appalachian.
I am who I am, Jonathan Michael LaFontaine.
Every choice should lead to ongoing creativity.
Every breath of the 600 million breaths you take should lead you forward.
Every beat of the 2.7 billion heart beats should resound with choice.
Choice is imperative in developing each moment to be the best of your entire life.
My choices led me to journalism. I have been actively involved in journalism for nine years, from high school until now at The Appalachian.
Aside from choosing involvement, voice was vital to create connections, even the smallest, among my peers and family.
Without voice, the 2.7 billion heart beats will dwindle into mere thumps in the dark.
Without voice, 600 million breaths fail to spread ideals of freedom, democracy and equality.
Without action, you might as well go back to bed.
Those of you who are graduating in May, I invite you to take a moment and consider your choices. Consider those who have impacted your life for better or worse.
Today, I thank those who received me at The Appalachian newspaper in 2005.
Those who taught me, those who mentored me, and those who stopped me, have my sincerest gratitude.
To the individuals who guided me through five years of university-level education and two majors, thank you.
Above all however, thank you to the love of my life for opening my eyes to the brighter side.
Realize the importance of choice.
When you make the choice of moving from one chapter to the next in life, consider both good and bad.
Life isn’t easy or good all of the time, but what makes you part of humanity re sts solely on your ability to move forward.
Translated from the Wachowski brothers through me, I leave Appalachian with this:
“I don’t know the future. I didn’t come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I’m going to end this commentary, and then I am going to show you a world with choice. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries, a world where anything is possible. Where we go from here, is a choice I leave to you.”
LaFontaine, a graduating journalism and public relations double major from Asheville, is the Associate Editor for Online Operations. |
