Saturday, January 29, 2011

Return of the Region Rat

Last year I gave the Commencement Speech at my old Chicago highschool. It was 17 years ago when I last stood on that very stage receiving my diploma and now I was asked to return with
words of wisdom to the next generation.

Its hard to put into words what those twenty minutes were like. Its certainly a moment I will never forget.
What's a region rat?

The Region n : an area of Indiana encompassing Lake County; many Hoosiers immediately recognize a 'Region-Rat' from the subtle nuances in dialect and propensity of proclaiming being 'from Chicago', albight living in Indiana.

Non-'
Regionites' have the ignorant belief that da Region is a gang-infested wasteland a la Mad Max or Escape from New York / LA. If your from the Region, you know this is not a belief but rather a fact ;0)

6 comments:

  1. Fantastic speech, so inspiring. I admire people like you.

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  2. Hmm I wonder if I'd ever get to go to my highschool one day and be able to do something similar....

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  3. Thank you for posting this, Aaron. You didn't just inspire the graduating class, you inspired me as well. :)

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  4. Great speech, Aaron. I often refer to your journey to Pixar to inspire myself and others. Thanks!

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  5. Your speech gave me goosebumps when I heard it at the commencement and it gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. Mr. Wilson is burning a copy of the DVD for me. I'm gonna put it right next to my copy of Toy Story 3. Proud to call you a Hoosier from Da Region!

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  6. Hey I never said you were "crazy"! Good Job, Aaron. Well done.
    -JBC

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