Marian Wright Edelman, J.D., inspired this year's graduating class to always strive for their goals. Closing with a poem from Shel Silverstein, she quoted

“If you dream it, if you believe in it, if you have faith in it, if you struggle, and if you never ever give up.  And none of us should ever, ever give up until every child in this country has a fair chance in life and a healthy start.”