(Following is the address delivered by Stephanie Tara Potter, valedictorian for the January 2011 graduating class.)
It’s been a long road, and like many of you, I sometimes thoughtthis day would never come. I’d like first to thank all the family members and friends here today. You supported us, encouraged
us, and insisted that this endeavor was worth it even when we had our doubts. I can honestly say that it was, and that we wouldn’t be here without you.
I’ve thought a lot about what to say today, but I haven’t come up with any eloquent way to capture the law school experience. I’d be the first person to admit that law school can be
tiring and frustrating. If you know me, you’ve probably heard me loudly expressing my frustration at some point over the last three and a half years. But despite that, my time in law school has been the most special experience of my life, and I will always treasure it. It’s rare to have the opportunity to learn something new every day and to study a subject about which you are truly passionate. We’ve had that at John Marshall.
We’ve been fortunate to attend a school that emphasizes practical skills through its legal writing and externship programs. Our faculty is one of the things that sets John Marshall apart, particularly the large number of faculty and adjunct faculty who have experience as practitioners. These professors have encouraged us to think deeply about the law, but have also made sure
that we knew how and where to actually file a court document. Our professors also have served as our mentors, coaches, and cheerleaders, and for that I want to thank them. Particularly, I’d
like to thank Professor Sonia Green for allowing me to do interesting and rewarding research, and for always supporting me in whatever opportunities I chose to pursue.
As a group, John Marshall students are some of the most tenacious and hardworking people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. Many of us have held part-time jobs or even maintained careers while attending school. Some of us – and I don’t know how you did it –– raised children or cared for ailing parents. We did this all while juggling the sometimes dizzying variety of activities that law school offers – journals, moot court and trial competitions, student government and organizations. But striving to do more, and to do it better, is one thing John Marshall students have in common. I don’t know if anyone is ever prepared to practice law before they actually do it. But I do think the experiences we’ve had at John Marshall will give us a good head start.
The late Adlai Stevenson, who served as the governor of Illinois, offered this simple advice at a college graduation: “When you leave here, remember why you came.” As graduation approached, I’ve thought a lot about my first day of law school. I was so excited, so sure I had made the right decision. I hope that we all can bring some of the optimism and enthusiasm
that we had as 1Ls into our professional lives. We’ve given up a lot over the last few years –– sleep, vacations, time with our family and friends. But we made it. Whatever vision we had
of our future as lawyers when we walked into the doors at John Marshall, we now have the chance to make the vision a reality. Along with that comes the opportunity to use our skills as
lawyers to do some good in whatever way we may choose. Congratulations to us all. I’ll see you in court.