Never let anyone else hold the pen to your story

Maizey speaking to Doherty High School's Class of 2025.

This week, Maizey Jaye Gufarotti graduated from high school. It's wild watching these kids you held as infants grow up into incredible humans you look up to and enjoy spending time with. This is a testament to their parents - Chad and Rian - who have been family to me since we met at UCCS in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Maizey and her brother Rylan are a product of their strong family support system, yes, but are so uniquely their own humans.

When the family gathered at Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College in Colorado Springs for the Doherty High School Class of 2025 Graduation, they were greeted with the most wonderful surprise. There in the program was Maizey's name - she was selected as Senior Class Speaker. Not only was this a grand surprise for her parents and visitors, but her speech was so moving. It gave me hope.

With permission, I'm sharing that glimmer of hope with all of you.

MAIZEY JAY GUFAROTTI COMMENCEMENT SPEECH (MAY 20, 2025)

"What if I told you I had a secret — one I've never shared out loud until now?

No, it's not how to make time slow down. It's not some magical way to live in the moment longer. But something more powerful than that.

"Before I tell you, I want to take a moment to pause and take a deep breath with you all. Breathe in and out..." [Which 2,000+ audience members collectively did led by Maizey. A powerful moment, and an homage to her mother Rian sitting in the audience.]

"Milestones like these don't happen every day, and it's important to make sure we soak up as much if it as we can.

"Alright, now I can share my secret. Come closer...

"The most powerful story you’ll ever read hasn’t been written yet. Because you haven’t written it. And today is your first blank page. Today, you become the author of your story. Sure, the past four years you've had teachers, coaches, parents, and experiences that helped shape the plot. You've gained knowledge, grown stronger, maybe even changed directions a few times. But now? Now, you get to decide the path. You choose the setting. You pick the characters who stay in your life — and those who don’t make it past this chapter. And more importantly — you get to keep evolving.

"See, learning doesn’t stop just because we’re wearing caps and gowns today. If anything, this moment should drive you — to keep learning, keep reading, keep growing, keep loving, keep trying, keep failing. And keep your mind open to new experiences, new people, and new possibilities.

"The world is changing faster than ever, and the most powerful skill you can carry with you is knowledge — and the ability to adapt, to grow, and to never stop learning. Whether you become a doctor, a filmmaker, a coder, an artist, an entrepreneur, or something entirely new the world hasn't seen yet, your story doesn't need to follow anyone else's outline. You don’t need permission to change your mind. You don't need to stick to someone else's script. You get to revise, rewrite, and reinvent you.

"But here's the catch: Stories don't have to be perfect to be powerful. Real stories — your story— will have plot twists, cliffhangers, and messy middle parts. That's what makes them real. That's what makes them powerful. That's what makes it your story.

"So, as we stand here today, on the edge of something new, I want to challenge each of us with this: Keep your pen moving. Keep your mind open. Never stop asking questions. Never stop exploring new chapters. And never, ever let anyone else hold the pen to your story. Congratulations, Class of 2025. Our story is just beginning. Let's go write something unforgettable."

I can't stop thinking about that line: Never let anyone else hold the pen to your story.

The concept of us having control over our own narratives is a powerful one. A philosophy I also subscribe to. But hearing Maizey share it in this way, brave and unflappable, to thousands of people... I knew I had to also share it with all of you.

Congrats, Maizey Jaye. We are so incredibly proud of you. We cannot wait to see your story unfold.