What do Carol Burnett and Charles Schulz have in common?
They both pursued and developed talents they knew they had.And they were both subjects of Misty Hutchings' remarks to 461 Viewmont High School graduates who received their diplomas Thursday night in Symphony Hall.
Hutchings, one of five Viking valedictorians, told the story of Schulz, who was nicknamed "Sparky" and labeled a failure by his teachers and peers while growing up. His cartoons were even rejected by his high school yearbook editor and later by Walt Disney Studios.
"So you know what Sparky did?" Hutchings said. "He wrote his autobiography in cartoons. He described his childhood self - the little boy loser, the chronic underachiever - in a cartoon character the whole world now knows."
That character, of course, is Charlie Brown.
"How many times do we feel like Charles Schulz? No matter what we have accomplished, there are still times we feel like losers," Hutchings said.
But most people have talents that are not readily noticed, she said, and gave some specific examples in the graduating class.
"Kara Vantussenbrook has helped a lady who has polio with her shopping and housecleaning . . . Chad Hatch has worked behind the scenes using his artistic talent for many school projects . . . and Belinda Lawlor volunteered her time last summer in a preschool for the handicapped."
Carol Burnett, Hutchings said, realized her dream to be an actress largely with the help and encouragement of a man who saw her perform one night and gave her $1,000 to pursue her talent.
All the man asked was that she do the same for others once she succeeded. Hutchings urged the graduates, who have been given much by teachers, parents and friends, to begin giving something back to society.
Another commencement speaker, Mike Jones, talked of "heroes of a different sort."
"These heroes are not armed with a sword and shield. Their only weapons are love, humor, imagination and commitment."
Jones, also a valedictorian, then described several acts of kindness and service that students, parents and teachers have performed during the past year.
"The rewards of victory for such heroes are often meager and sometimes forgotten altogether," he said. "But they accept this fact and go on fighting, blessing the lives of countless young men and women with their priceless example of unselfish sacrifice."
Other student speakers at the commencement were senior class officers Jason Pollock, Steve Jarman and Kristen Mackintosh.