The Importance of a Smile

Good evening, Superintendent Sullivan, School Board President Fleegel, Principal Lybert, Vice Principal Guden, faculty, family, friends, and the Class of 2024.

Throughout my time at Medford Area Senior High, I have learned many things like tangent equals sine over cosine and that mushrooms should really be placed in the meat section at the grocery store, not the vegetable section. Along with many other things, the most important thing that I have learned is the importance of a smile. Mr. Hackbarth always liked to remind us before a test or any particularly stressful event to simply smile. The action of smiling releases endorphins and causes you to be happier and calmer, preparing you better for whatever you are about to do.

Personal benefits aside, I have experienced in my time here that a smile affects others in an even bigger way. Mr. Buchan exemplifies this like no other. It is very rare, I don’t think I have seen it at least, to see Mr. Buchan without a smile on his face. His smile radiates positivity and affects everyone around him. It is impossible to be upset in his presence, and he makes those around him want to spread that happiness. As I go throughout life, I strive to be as smiley and warm as him and I can only imagine how great the world would be if everyone would join me in this endeavor. Next time you are walking down the street, struggling through a hard day at work, or walking to a class in college, I challenge you to smile at three people. You never know what they may be going through, and that could be exactly what they need at that moment, to feel seen. To matter.

Someone could be struggling so deeply and that reassuring smile from someone that they wouldn’t expect could be their saving grace. A smile shows that you care.

Through my mentorship this last semester I have had the opportunity to work with children every day. While it is much easier to smile around them because I love each and every one of them, I have realized how much a smile can impact their day. We all know that kids do not hold back, and they will tell you exactly what they are thinking and how they are feeling. I have realized how much a smile can do for them. They trust me and know that they can come to me if they need help zipping up their sweatshirt or are just having a bad day, and I truly believe that is because I hardly ever let them see me without a smile on my face. While these children are young and small, they are still people, and they have the same emotions as us; they just have not yet been taught to hide them. I hope we can learn a thing or two from them and share our happiness with the world.

Thank you to every staff, faculty, and student for everything that you have done for me and my fellow classmates throughout our four years here, especially for teaching me the importance of kindness. You have all shown me that kindness doesn’t have to be some grand gesture but instead can exist in the simple act of a smile, and that is something that my classmates and I will cherish forever. — Ella Daniels