Richard inspired me to stay in school. He help me when I was stuck on writing my papers for my finals. He proof read my work and started my out-lines to keep me focus. My Master belong to him; my brother Ricky without him my average would not have been a 4.0

Thank you Ricky I miss you

p.s. He just help me with my last outline on" why we should vote"  I did not even know he was sick, but he help me research and he proof read that paper too.

WHO KNOW

Richard Sands Speech February 2007

W.I.N.G.S

Good morning, distinguished guests, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen. It is truly a great honor for me to stand before you today at this special occasion. When I first sat down at my computer, I knew that Patricia Carmen was a no-nonsense instructor; I too adopted this attitude and found myself changing from a passive individual, to one that was relied upon by my fellow classmates. Throughout this speech I will be referring to the acronym W.I.N.G.S. It means worth, insight, nurturing, goals and strategy.

Sometimes in our lives our W.I.N.G.S. get clipped and we are unable to soar. Through self-examination our worth is questioned, our insight is blurred through obstacles in our life. While trying to be strong and independent, we fail to recognize we need nurturing. In time our goals become non-existent and we in turn fail to have a strategy for success.

Personally, I had my W.I.N.G.S. clipped. Between hard times and self-esteem issues I was unable to soar to my full potential. It took a good dose of ice-cold- water (the Bible) in my face to realize that I had W.I.N.G.S. I could now soar.

When you are soaring in the air you are able to see the whole horizon of what life has to offer. You can avoid all the pitfalls of hopelessness. I began to develop a positive mindset. All the questions I could not answer before now have solutions. I ran with a plan and mapped out my goals with a strategy that could not lose.

My education at York College in New York and Job Corp in Utah helped me to focus on my W.I.N.G.S. I have never felt as much freedom as I am feeling at this time. Nothing is hindering my W.I.N.G.S. from being spread. Even if there’s a headwind, my path will not waiver.

Cohorts! Let us consider this moment. Look around and view your surroundings. This is the moment of truth. Take it all in. We have the skills to learn, the aptitude to succeed and the ability to make a difference in the world.

I like to thank all the instructors in this program because you are all my heroes. Heroes don’t make a lot of money and they don’t want any glory. They’re right there in the trenches getting dirty with the rest of us. All they want in return is the satisfaction that they helped us help ourselves. They want to feel appreciated for their hard work.

So there you have it! That bright light you see is our worth, insight, nurturing, goals, and strategies being a beacon of our success for all to see. So as we walk out these doors, watch us soar. Let us go out onto the world and make a positive mark. Look out world and watch us shine!