A few weeks ago, I was asked to give the commencement speech for the Kilgore ISD Pathways graduating class of 2026.
The Pathways program serves students whose journey through school looked different than the traditional path. Some faced difficult family situations, setbacks, instability, behavioral struggles, or simply needed a different environment to succeed.
After speaking with Lauren Thrasher, the Principal for Pathways Academy, the virtue of Hope felt important to highlight. Power Acronym 3: G.A.P. immediately came to mind.
Life is a game of closing the gap between who you are and who you’re capable of becoming.
GAP — Goals. Agency. Pathways.
This is the bridge that gets from here to there.
Goals give you direction.
Agency reminds you that you control what you do next.
Pathways remind you that there is rarely just one road forward in life.
This speech became less about having life figured out and more about learning how to keep moving forward when plans change.
I’m grateful for the opportunity, the experience, and the lessons that came from preparing and delivering it.
“You can get there from here.”
— Aaron
Power Acronym | The Language of Leadership
