The Salutatory Address

Commencement

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The Salutatory Address

Thomas DeGirolami ’22

I am honored to represent the Hackley Class of 2022 as salutatorian, and I want to thank Mr . Wirtz, Mr . King, and all of my outstanding teachers . When I was told that I would be speaking at Commencement, I started to think about what a salutatorian actually is . And as I turned to writing my speech, I realized I had no idea what it was supposed to be about!

So… I decided to turn to a topic that I do know something about—and that I also know is universally considered riveting, exhilarating, and wildly entertaining: classical etymology! (Quick disclaimer: this speech is not sponsored, paid for, or otherwise endorsed by the Hackley Classics Department in any way).

It seems reasonable that a salutatorian is supposed to give salutations. But what really is a salutation? In this speech, I'd like to take you through some different connotations of salutations.

The word "salutations" derives from the Latin salutare, meaning “to greet" or "to welcome.” In a first and most well-known connotation of the word, I welcome you all to today's commencement exercises. Welcome, guests! Hello, families! Greetings, Hackley faculty and friends! Salutations to all!

Now that you surely feel adequately welcomed, I'll move on to a second connotation of a salutation: to show respect. This is a more etymologically accurate version of the Latin salutare I mentioned before. For the ancient Romans, following the proper formalities of honor and respect was absolutely critical. In fact, our word "salute'' derives from this same meaning.

Even though none of us are soldiers… yet (I'm looking at you, Danny. Go Army 2026!), I'd like to consider the function of military salutes. Soldiers of all stations and ranks salute when they first meet, as well as when they depart, paying one another the same respect. They are both respectful beginnings and endings.

In this distinctive way, I would like to salute my fellow members of the Class of 2022. We made it, and what we have accomplished here deserves respect.

But this is only half a salute—the salute due to us. The other half is the salute we now owe to others. We will all be graduates very soon and go our own different ways. When we go, I urge you to remember to salute others.

34 HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2022

Bear in mind your time here at Hackley; and bear it in mind with the respect and honor it is due. Recall where you've come from whenever you come across your equivalent of a superior officer or a subordinate soldier. Carry Hackley with you in remembering in those moments that everyone, low or high, deserves the same salute—the same respectful greeting and goodbye.

Now, let's move on to a third connotation of a salutation. The verb salutare itself comes from the Latin noun salus, meaning health or vigor, but maybe the truest translation is in the phrase "to be well."

Here at Hackley, we talk a lot about "wellness." We even have The Johnson Center for Health and Wellness. We believe that a person's health is more than just physical, and I think that is true.

But I'd like to consider another side of wellness: an ancient Greek one. Plato and Aristotle were some of the first philosophers to examine in depth what it means to live a truly good life. They asked the question, "What makes a life well lived?" Their answer was the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as happiness, human flourishing, or wellbeing.

What does it mean to be happy and well? For them, happiness is not just physical pleasure, like the sensation you get from eating ice cream, or procrastinating homework by watching Youtube, or even the internal glow that comes from personal success.

Imagine sitting in your rocking chair at 95 years old, looking back on your life and feeling that it was good—that you accomplished great things and improved the lives of those around you, not just your own life. That's Aristotelian happiness.

Happiness—eudaimonia—is when you've contributed to a life of flourishing. We have flourished here at Hackley—we have achieved. We have lived lives of doing: we have studied and worked to learn and to know; we have practiced and contested and fought on sports fields; we have created beauty in art and music and writing; we have contributed to the well-being of our immediate and more distant communities in countless ways. But, the life of eudaimonia and human flourishing is just beginning for us. And so, a salutation in this third sense isn’t just saying hello, or even showing respect. This kind of salutation is a challenge—the challenge to go forth from Hackley and live lives of human flourishing, of achievement and excellence and contribution to human well-being. A challenge to be well by doing good.

And last—a fourth connotation of a salutation. Here, I will be brief. This final meaning will be familiar, even ordinary, but not less important for all that. It is the meaning that expresses warmth and fellowship when we toast an important occasion.

It is the meaning we hear in Spanish “Salud!”; or the Italian “Alla nostra salute.” (“Prost” in German; “Ganbei” in Mandarin; “Skol” in Swedish; “Bajabule” in Zulu…but I digress). When we say “Cheers,” we are wishing for each other happiness, togetherness, well-being, and belonging.

I will conclude by toasting the Class of 2022 (perhaps for some of us with a glass of Champagne or two… or three—later).. May we all long enjoy and partake of the four salutations!