Hey everyone,

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
-- Henry David Thoreau

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the recent graduates AND their families on graduation. Education is the great differentiator, so you should be proud of what that diploma means for your future (a very bright future). This is just the beginning of great things to come, so savor the moment and (as Henry David Thoreau says in the quote above) go “confidently” in the direction of your dreams.

In the few weeks since many high school and college seniors listened to graduation speeches from keynote speakers and words of encouragement from class valedictorians, I hope you have taken a few moments to ponder your futures. As you venture out into a new horizon, I encourage you all to dream and to dream big.

I remember reading a graduation speech that Nelson Mandela delivered to college graduates several years ago. In his speech, he encouraged the students “…to work toward correcting the inequities in public schools. In South Africa, in America, in all the world – we must provide education not as a privilege, but as a right; not for some, but for all. Let the doors of learning open.”

As Mr. Mandela so eloquently alluded to, we are blessed in this country to have the opportunity to attend school and to learn from some amazing teachers. Sometimes we take things for granted, but it is important to know that millions of kids around the world aren’t as fortunate as we are. Recent grads, you all possess the tools to make a difference around the world, and I challenge you all to do so. I look forward to hearing about the wonderful achievements from the Class of 2009 … the future leaders of the world.

As I was walking across the stage to receive my diploma in high school back in the late '80s, I couldn’t have even fathomed that I would one day have the opportunity to run a professional women’s team because no league existed at that time. Little did I know what the next decade would have to offer and little do you know what your future holds.

The great thing about the WNBA is that the majority of our players have graduated from college because they realize that they won’t be able to play hoops forever. During my 13 seasons with the WNBA, I have been struck by some of the stories I heard (many centered around academic achievement). Sonja Henning served as the president of the WNBA Players Association while also practicing employment law in the off-season. Georgia Schweitzer is finishing up medical school at Duke. I admire their commitment to their education and feel that it is what makes our league so special.

The lesson I learned is that you can do it all. If you are a musician & want to go to business school, go for it. If you are an artist and want to join ROTC, go for it.

Here are my Top Five tidbits of advice for recent grads:

1. Follow your passion and pour your heart into whatever it is that you choose to do.

2. Don’t forget to thank those who have had a positive impact in your life (and thank them on a regular basis). From your teachers, to your classmates, to your parents/grandparents – take the time to say thank you!

3. Keep in touch with friends and classmates. It is so easy to get out of touch with one another, but you don’t know how wonderful it is when you hear from a long lost friend.

4. Work hard at everything you do. Don’t do anything half-way. If you have made the commitment to do something, do it to the best of your abilities.

5. Dream and Dream Big!!!

Unfortunately, I am going to miss my 20th high school reunion this summer, but I will definitely take a moment to reminisce about all the wonderful times spent with my lifelong friends (shout out to Mary, Kerri, Tom S., Larry, Cristy, et al).

We were all in a hurry to graduate & move on with our lives, but I think we all now realize how amazing it was to be able to walk the hallowed hallways of MHHS together.

Mystics Update

We are off to a 4-1 start as we head into a Thursday night home game against Phoenix. While we are ecstatic with how things have started, our goal is to not just win the first leg of the sprint, but to win the marathon. Therefore, the coaches and players continue to work hard in areas where the team can improve individually and collectively.

What I am most proud of is the effort we are witnessing from all 11 of our players. A different group of players has stepped up in each of the three games we have played to this point.

Until next time … Keep Dreaming!

Congrats Grads & Go Mystics,

Angela

Angela Taylor can be reached through e-mail at AsktheGM@washmystics.com.