TRURO - In the end, for Paul Oderkirk, what we gain or take from life really comes down to choice.
And as the valedictorian of the 2010 convocation at the Nova Scotia Community College in Truro, yesterday, Oderkirk stood as a shining example that it is never too late to turn aside previous choices, even disastrous ones, and start anew.
"In it's simplicity, it is only a six-letter word until you make the right or wrong choice," he told his fellow graduates and others assembled for the occasion.
"I certainly don't think I was chosen valedictorian because I've made all the right choices and if it wasn't for others choosing to offer me a second chance I would not be standing here in front of you today. It was the choice that all of you made to face the diversities, changes, sacrifices and challenges to arrive at this moment of success of your journey today."
Oderkirk, a 39-year-old from Truro graduated with honours from the Practical Nursing program following about a 20-year absence from academic life.
The intervening years were filled with unhappy labours in a variety of low-level, blue collar positions, during which he too often made poor choices while ignoring "the consequences of my actions, which often times proved disastrous."
A few years ago, however, Oderkirk became "inspired" by the family-like care his grandmother was receiving at the hands of nurses in a local seniors home. That, and the support and encouragement he received from friends and family, prompted "a 360 (degree) turnaround for me...," he said, following his convocation speech.
"The light came on and I said why not the health profession, because I wanted a career all my life ... It was just the whole confidence thing and getting that confidence to pursue a career ...
"I always knew that I had potential, people always told me I had potential ... (now it's) taking that potential and turning it into reality."
After spending the past two decades "stuck in a big-time rut ... just spinning my wheels..." and banging his head against brick walls, Oderkirk said he has now discovered that such obstacles can be used as motivation and challenge to determine how badly one wants to achieve something.
Not that his choice to return to school or the three years it took for him to reach the head of the Graduating Class of 2010 came easy, mind you. But in the end, it showed him that if you do want something badly enough, you can work to remove the bricks that stand in your way.
But Oderkirk said his academic success can also be credited to his family and fellow students who provided the support and encouragement to help him over the rough patches of the past three years.
"At times, when I thought the chips were down and I wasn't going to succeed or I just thought I was a fraud sometimes ... coming this far so fast, such a change in my life," he said. "But they reassured me that I was indeed the real deal and it's that kind of support that just gets you over that hump. It really helps."
And in his closing words as valedictorian, Oderkirk encouraged his fellow grads to never look back on the tools and opportunity their education has provided.
"Do not become complacent now. This is not the final destination on your journey of choice and change," he said. "Take forward with you the energy, inspiration and power you all feel today to knock down any brick walls that may rise up in front of you on your journey."
Congratulations, Paul!