If there is no seats available, in the back, along the wall, please. Welcome, everyone, to the commencement of Bus Class 1, 2026. My name is Elijah Salim. I will be hosting this graduation. I will ask that everyone, as the new hires enter into the building, we cheer them on and give them a loud round of applause, and we welcome them. Oh, also, can I ask that everyone turn their phone off? Well, put it on silent, please. Can we all put our phones on silent? Let me make sure. Okay. Now let's get the proceedings proceeding. All right, everyone, may we rise and welcome in the Bus Class 1 of 2026 with some loud cheers of endurance. We could get a little louder than that. We have 52 new hires entering into the building. We want all of them to feel welcome. We want all of them to feel praise. Let's keep up the enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to cheer, to roar. If you see one of your loved ones, your friends, let's keep up the enthusiasm, ladies and gentlemen. We have 52 new operators entering into the building. Yes, let's keep it going. Let's keep it going. Let's keep it going. They worked very hard to get to this moment. They worked very hard. This is a monumental achievement for them. Let's praise. Let's give them praise. Let's give them cheers. Let's continue to cheer them on as they enter into the building. We want to continue to welcome them with some enthusiasm, some passion. Let's show them how we do it at transit. Miami Day's finest. Yes, yes. Don't stop now, guys. Please, don't stop now. Let's keep it going. Let's keep it going. The last 10 weeks have been grueling, and they made it. And we want to give them the praise that they deserve. Let's cheer them on as they continue to enter into the building. I know your hands aren't tired, right? I know your hands aren't tired. No. There we go. Guys, if I may ask for one last round of applause altogether, one last cheer, one last welcome, one last hoorah, one last shout. Congratulations, bus class one of 2026. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You all may be seated. If you're just entering into the building, please have a seat. If no seats are available, please take your positions in the rear of the building, near the wall. Okay. Before we begin the program, two years ago, on this exact date, I buried my mother. I apologize. I lost my mother on this exact day, two years ago. So I'd like to take a moment to honor my late mother, Mrs. Mary Daniels. Her guidance, her love shaped who I am as an instructor. In her memory, I am proud to welcome everyone to this milestone as we celebrate new beginnings together. I don't typically get teary-eyed. I'm really excited on these days. But if I stumble a little bit, please work with me. All right. So thank you. All right. So let's get started. Again, good afternoon, everyone. I'm going into my opening remarks, Elijah Salim, that's myself. Today is a special day and we're here to celebrate your hard work, your dedication, and the growth that every graduate in this room has showcased. I've had the privilege of watching this group learn, push through challenges, and develop into confident professionals, and I couldn't be more proud. Today isn't just about completing the program. It's about the commitment you've shown, the skills that you have built, and the impact that you are ready to make moving forward. I know firsthand that this journey hasn't always been easy, but you showed up, stayed focused, and made it to this moment. Before you lies a powerful opportunity. One, I have come to deeply value through my own journey. Years ago, as a bus operator, I found myself in a moment that called for more than a routine duty when I helped save a family from three from a canal. Thank you. Standing in this very building, I was later honored for that act, but what stayed with me most was not the recognition, but the responsibility we carry in service to one another. Today, as an instructor, I stand before you with that same conviction. To each one of you, you have a chance to leave an enduring mark on your community. To answer the noble call of public service. And to uplift, serve the people and residents of Miami-Dade County. With integrity, dignity, and unwavering commitment, stay grounded. And remember, each moment of stress, it is not to break you. It is to elevate you beyond that moment. So let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate all that you've accomplished. Congratulations to our graduates once again. And to all the young people in attendance. This is what it looks like when dedication and hard work come together. This is what you call lit. So for our veteran operator's remarks, I would like to bring forth Mr. Melton Clark Jr.
Good afternoon to all our family and friends and our dear loved ones. Oh, just learning on the way coming down. Boy, Miami is busy this weekend. Ultra Fest, Marlins Opener, U-Fair. Oh, my goodness. But guess what? We're here to celebrate bus class number one, 2026. Somebody make some noise. Bus class number one. You're looking good. You're not only looking good, but you're good looking. And get this. You'll even look better if you smile. Let me see your smile. Whether you're boredom, whether you're boredom, let me see that smile. You smile. I don't see him. Let me see that smile. This is what we do on a daily basis as we meet and greet our passengers as they come through and as they leave. It takes that smile again. They used to call me smiley back in the day. Yes. And that smile, you'll win them just about every time. It'll take you through. Now, what I want you to remember is that in this life, you will have trouble, but you can't overcome trouble with that. Oh, my God. You can beat them down with that smile. So, I don't want you to forget, as you start on Monday, start driving in your new career, in the right lane, to your destination.
Thank you, Mr. Clark. What Mr. Clark failed to mention is he's our most senior operator at Miami-Dade Transit. He's the number one man in transit. Number one. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication. Thank you, Mr. Clark. Up next, for our trainee remarks, we have bus operator trainee, Mrs. Chinette Mendoza Gutierrez, and bus operator trainee, Antonio Solomon.
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm a little excited, so forgive me if I stumble a little bit. Okay. Today, for all of us, isn't just a graduation. It's a transformation. We walked in as individuals. Different stories, different struggles, different fears. Some of us were confident. Some of us were terrified. All of us were tested. Because this job is not about driving a bus. It's about holding lives in your hands on a 40 feet long and 40,000 pounds vehicle. It's about staying calm when traffic doesn't. It's about patience when others don't have any. It's about showing up every single day, whether the sun rises or the storm hits hard. There were early mornings, long days, corrections that humbled us, and moments we doubted ourselves. But quitting, that was never the route we took. We learned that behind every uniform is a human being sitting there. With a family waiting at home, with dreams bigger than this moment, with sacrifices that no one else sees. Tonight, today, we don't just graduate as operators. We graduate as professionals, protectors of the road, as steady hands in a moving city. When people step up in our buses, they don't know our story. They don't know the struggles, how hard we trained. They won't know the pressure we carry. But they will feel it, though. They will feel it in the smooth stop, in the safe turn, in the quiet confidence behind the wheel. And one day, when someone thanks us, or when a child waves from the sidewalk, we'll remember this moment. Because today, we earned more than a badge. We earned respect. We earned discipline. We earned each other. This isn't the end of training. It's the beginning of service. And wherever the route takes us, we will drive it with pride. Congratulations, Class 1 of 2026.
Good afternoon, everyone. DTPW leadership, family, friends, and most importantly, the first graduating class of 2026. They say to move to a city, you will need more than just engines and fuel. You'll need heart, you'll need patience, and you'll need a vision for where you're going. Standing here today, looking at my fellow graduates, I see that and more. When we started this journey weeks ago, many of us just saw a career path. But through the long hours of training, the pre-checks, and the floor to eat, and mastering left and right turns, we realized we weren't just learning to drive. We were just learning to be the heartbeat of Miami Dade. To all our instructors, thank you for not for just teaching us the basics, but for teaching us responsibility. You pushed us because you knew when we were there on South Beach or navigating the narrow streets of our neighborhoods, good enough isn't an option. You taught us the safety isn't a checklist. It's a promise to make every passenger who steps and tour our bus. And I want to take a moment to specifically acknowledge Instructor Smith. There were days during training, maybe when we were struggling with tight turns or mastering air brakes, where we left the pressure, where we felt the pressure, sorry. The Instructor Smith never taught us to fold. Beyond just the technical skills, Instructor Smith showed us that the true patience looks like. Being a mentor isn't just about giving directions. It's about having a steady hand and a calm voice. And to tell you, you got this. Just stay focused. Thank you, Instructor Smith, for teaching us the future of this department and for staying patient while we were still standing, founding our footing. You didn't just teach us how to drive a bus. You taught us how to carry ourselves with the professional pride of a Miami-Dade transit deserves. We are better operators today because of your leadership. To my fellow graduates, we were the first class of 2026. This comes with a certain pride. We're entering this service at a time when our county is growing faster than ever. When we pull out to the garage for our first solo shift, we aren't just bus operators. We are the reason a student makes it to class on time at Miami-Dade College. We are the reason a grandmother gets to her doctor's appointment. We are the first mile of tourist seats when they head towards the beach. The road won't always be smooth. There will be traffic. There will be rain. And there will be long days. But remember why we started. We chose this because we wanted to move our community forward, literally. At the time we take this well, let's drive at the same discipline we showed in training and the same pride we feel today. Let's make bus class number one of 2026 the standard of excellence for DTPW. Congratulations, class of 2026. Let's get to work.
Well done. Well said. Thank you for that. All right. Moving along with our program for our presentation of our congratulatory letter on behalf of Mrs. May, excuse me, on behalf of our mayor, Mrs. Daniela Levine-Cava, Mr. Rolando Gutierrez, instructor Rolando Gutierrez. Excuse me.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining me as we gather to celebrate commitment discipline in the beginning of a new chapter for bus class 2026 number one. I'm absolutely delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your remarkable achievement as a new Miami-Dade bus operator graduate. Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have truly paid off, and I couldn't be happier to share in this joyous moment with you. Your commitment to excellence and your unwavering passion for serving our community have not gone unnoticed. Your graduation is a testament to your outstanding abilities and leadership potential. And I have no doubt that you will thrive in your new role, making a positive impact every step of the way. As you embark on this exciting journey in your career, I urge you to embrace it with confidence, enthusiasm, and integrity. Your continuous growth and dedication are not only beneficial for your personal advancement, but also for the betterment of our Miami-Dade County community. Please remember that you have a full support, trust as you transition into your new chapter, whether you need guidance, encouragement, or simply someone to share your accomplishments with. Know that my door is always open, and for you, once again, a hearty congratulations on this well-earned and deserved achievement. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment in your career as a Miami-Dade County bus operator. Warm regards, Daniela Levine-Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.
Up next, for our Miami-Dade DTPW remarks, we have Mr. Let's go to our Director and CEO of DTPW. It's with great honor I would like to present to you Mrs. Stacey Miller.
Thank you. Wow. I'm not sure that I have much to say, Art, Janet, and Antonio. Spectacular. Oh, my gosh. I'm not sure I can add much. That was amazing. I'm going to add a little bit, though. This podium is really high, but I'm just going to work with it here. I feel like I can, like, hold on. It's okay. I'm good. I'm good. I'm not going to be here long. Congratulations. I am so very proud of each one of you. As it's been noted, while you transition from trainee to bus operator, you are embarking on a career, not just a job. And I'd like you to think about that. It's not a job. It is a career. It's a family. It's so many opportunities. This is one step in, hopefully, a very long career path that will provide you with a great deal of personal reward as well as opportunities. We talk about the fact that, you know, you're out there. It's raining. There are grumpy passengers. The roads are not always in the best condition. There's traffic. But you are, in fact, in charge of all of that experience for every passenger you have. And you are the heartbeat of Miami-Dade County. Last year, we moved almost 85 million people in all of our transit system. That's what you're going to be doing every single day, whether it's grandma, whether it's a student, whether it's somebody getting from their home to a job opportunity, you are their access. You are their point of contact. And for a lot of people, you're the ambassador of Miami-Dade County. You might be the only person they ever interact with who wears a uniform and says they work for this county. So I am counting on you to put on, as Mr. Clark said, put on that smile and make sure that their experience is wonderful every day. In about a week, I will now be here at DTPW a year. I have to tell you, it has been a fantastic year. I have truly enjoyed my experience here. I am looking forward to many more years, learning much more about what it is that we do. You will sometimes see me as I'm wandering around. I might stop the bus. I might get on the bus and say hello and ask you how your day is. Most people look at me like I'm crazy. But that kid that's waving on the side of the road, that might actually just be me wanting to make sure that you're having a good experience that day. Because to me, what we do is so important. Not many people can say they impact millions of people's lives every day. You get to do that. That's a wonderful experience. You will have hard times. But I will tell you, a little self-satisfaction pulls you through almost every one of those unfortunate experiences. So remember, wear that uniform proudly. And we're not just delivering excellence every day. We are driving excellence every day. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Miller, for those kind words. Moving along with the program. I would like to now bring forth our Deputy Director of DTPW, Mr. Sean Ackerson.
All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Wow, man. We have a packed house. This is fantastic that we have this many people. One, graduating, 52 new members of our family. And then all of the extended family here to celebrate this wonderful achievement. I have an announcement to make. I have an opening for a speechwriter. And I think there's two candidates in here that would do a fantastic job. And so well that, as the director said, it's hard for us to top that. I mean, you literally touched on all the points that we could as leaders of the organization. But I do have one thing. And it's a quote I heard a long time ago. And I think it's appropriate. And it says the difference between success and failure is doing something nearly right and exactly right. Nearly right and exactly right. That's the difference, right? So you've been here, what, 10 weeks now, roughly? And they've taught you a lot of different things. A bunch of different steps. A whole lot of processes. And that success is going to depend on whether you do all of them or some of them, right? To be that professional bus operator that we spent the last 10 weeks trying to train you to be, you've got to do it all. Like, we're going to give you the schedule to come to work at least five days a week. And guess what, Mr. Clark? You've been here to get to number one position how long now? 47 years. So he's been doing it exactly right because he comes to work, right? He comes to work. Look how sharp he's dressed. I've been here four years. I've never seen him not dressed that way. That's exactly how we want our bus operators to act, right? You've been giving all the rules of safety. We want you to follow them all. You've been taught how to pre-trip a bus. We want you to follow all the steps. Everything, you have to do it exactly right. That's how you're going to get to turn this into a career. That's how you're going to move people safely. And that's how you're going to connect people to their opportunities, doing it exactly right. So with that, welcome to the family. I look forward to having you chauffeur me around because I do. I ride the bus almost every day. They know I'm on the bus or I'm on the train. So you are likely to see me. So by all means, again, you're driving around in a bus that costs more than a Lamborghini. So, hey, you know, I think you're driving in style. So welcome to the family.
Thank you, Mr. Eggerson. Now for our bus services remarks, I would like to bring up our general superintendent of bus operations, Mr. Schneider St.
Good afternoon, everyone. You know, I like to see a big, big family. I love going to family reunions. And I just like to see that because there's a lot of support there. So I appreciate you guys for coming out, showing support for our new family members. Like I already know, you know, I always tell my wife that, you know, I didn't understand back in the day when they used to say, you don't only just marry your wife, right? You married a whole family. And that's what we practically did. So I thank you guys again. But we're going to always need your support. But there's three letter A's that I use and I, you know, shared with the class. That's attitude, attendance, and appearance. So one of the things is attendance, right? As you guys know, and I've told you guys this before, we transport on the bus side alone, I think, almost roughly around 180,000 passengers a day. Our entire system is about 200, 220. So we're moving the whole entire county on a regular day. So that's more than the airport deal with. That's more than the seaport. That's more than any other department here, police or fire, right? So we have to move the people. If you're not here at work, we cannot move the people. So when you guys hear that alarm sound going off, make sure y'all push them out the bed and tell them, don't hit the snooze button. They need you to go pick up those people, all right? The second thing, attitude, right? Attitude will take you a long, long way. Don't wear your attitude. You will be tested. That's one thing I promise you. You will be tested. We get people from all walks of life on the bus. All walks, all right? So you even have people from fire department, police department, and people from transit, like my boss, Sean, gets on the bus all the time, all right? So always remember that you are always being watched. And your attitude, trust me, these people are not going to be on the bus for a long time. It's just a short, short period of time. It may seem a long time, especially if they're acting crazy back there, but it's not. Trust me. And lastly, your appearance. Mr. Clark said you guys look good. I'm going to say it like this, respectfully. Y'all look damn good, all right? So one of the things that always stands out first, and it's something that was instilled in me since I was a young child, that people respect you by your appearance first, before you even open up your mouth, all right? So the way you guys look today, I know it's going to be 100-degree weather sometimes, so the tie, you can loosen it up, but I expect you guys to look good every single day, just like you guys look good today, all right? So, again, we really appreciate you guys for being a part of the family. I'm going to throw a couple of special shout-outs to certain people in here. Our HR department, our HR, thank you. Without them, without them, my check wouldn't clear on time, so thank you. But also, they put a lot of effort into bringing everybody in, and also, see on me, too, I know you, at downtown HR, she's the second process that had to click that. Also, I know Antoinette. Antoinette's back there. But lastly, if I don't say this, you know, I might, you know, they might have an attitude. But for all my instructors, not all of them are here, but these instructors had to deal with all 52 of these new individuals, all right? So I heard some of the horror stories where some of them were looking for seatbelts. The buses don't have seatbelts. Some of y'all were slamming on brakes. Some of y'all wanted to stop in the middle of the highway. Thank you for not stopping in the middle of the highway. But it's over, and it's time for you guys to go ahead and take that bus out and, you know, serve the community that really supports us that you will be serving. Thank you again, and thanks, everybody, for coming, all right?
Thank you, Mr. St. Pew. I would like to also, if I may, give another round of applause for Payroll. Payroll? Can we give Payroll a round of applause? All right. HR, Payroll. Also, the real MVPs, as I've heard along this journey, the support, the family, the friends, the loved ones that came, everyone in attendance right now. Let's give you all a round of applause for coming. As Mr. St. Pew said, you guys played a pivotal role in helping your family member or your loved one get to this point. So we don't want to overlook that. HR, our administrative staff, and everyone, recruitment, everyone that has a part to play in making this happen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Let's move along. Our chief of our core weight division, I would like to bring up Mr. Felipe Hermita.
Wow. A big crowd. Well, thank you all for coming to this special occasion. This is a very special moment for all of us that have been here for a while. I haven't been here as many years as Mr. Clark, but I've been here 40 years since September. Thank you. Thank you. And the reason I mention that is because 40 years ago, I was sitting just like you guys are sitting today. I had seen my father. My father was a bus operator as well. And I had seen how growing up, I was only 15 years old when I got here from Cuba. And I could see what a difference it made in our family's life, how much we prosper financially since my father was hired by DTPW. And that, years later, prompted me to follow my father's footsteps. Before I go into that little story, I want to tell you, you guys have been provided all of the tools and all of the training that you need to have a successful career. Okay? A career that is extremely, extremely rewarding from the humanistic part. Because every day when you go home, you're going to get flashbacks of all the people that you helped during the day while you were working. And senior citizens, people that are disabled, young kids could be, my kids could be your kids going to school to the daily things that they have to do. And that all happens because of you. Because you come to work and you're taken there safely. Okay? Now, what I wanted to talk to you about is also what this career will do for you financially now and in the future. Okay? Going back again, I saw my father prospering. Imagine he came from Cuba in 1978 without a single penny in his pocket. In 1981, the good Lord, the great Lord, blessed him and blessed our family by providing him a job. Only three years later, he bought a house in Westchester. Only because the amount of hours that he put behind the wheels, working overtime seven days a week to make it happen. You cannot do the same. I see a lot of young people here today. I know Miami is not as cheap as it used to be for purchasing a home. But the opportunities are there. And this job will provide it for you. And if you do 40 years or 30 years like we're doing, then you're also going to be able to enjoy a very prosperous retirement. Right? So, it's a win-win-win for you, win-win-win for the department, and also for our society. So, I want to congratulate you. I want you to stay committed and stay here to the end. Okay? God bless you all.
Thank you, Mr. Hermita. Special thank you to the entire front row. Can we give a round of applause to our entire front row? This is our leadership. This is who we turn to, who we rely on, who keeps us trained up, focused, and ready to go. So, thank you, guys. We understand your importance of being here today. So, thank you. Now, I would now like to call our chief of our Northeast Division, Mr. Wade Jones.
Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be here with all of you. Thank you for supporting all these new bus operators. I'll be real quick. I want to give you some practical advice that I believe will help you personally as well as professionally. And I remember St. Hugh spoke about attitude. It's so important to adopt the attitude of a winner. You know, leave things better than you found them. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Continue to learn and develop yourself every day. Join the organizations that contribute to the success of your organization, Transportation. Create some leaders. It's not enough to be a leader. You've got to create some. Create value everywhere you go. Make yourself valuable to the system and the organizations that you're a part of. When someone wants someone on their team, you want them to think about you. And with that being said, good afternoon. Congratulations.
Straight to the point, huh, Mr. Jones? Short and sweet. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Well said. All right. Enough of the thank yous. Let's get to the reason why we're here. Let's get to the reason why we're here. I said, you're not excited? Front row. Please rise. Can we have you on the stage? It gives me extreme honor to say these next three words. For our presentation of certificates, I bring up Instructor France Pojo and Instructor Flora Otega.
Thank you, Celine. First class one, 2026. Congratulations. Please stand up. Open and if you can take a picture, okay? Starting with the number one person in the class. Ms. Mobley Andrea. Mr. Monpremier Esope. Mr. Antonei Larry. Ms. Clay Sointiniet. Ms. Barlet Mejunica. Ms. Mendoza Gutierrez-Janet. Mr. Fernandez Amaury. Mr. Revere Reginald. Panteleon Pagan Nathaniel. Arnold Gemmel. Arnold Gemmel. Maximum Trevore. Rolak Veronica. William Sharina. Farmer Patterson Lichelle. Aristide Rulet. Peterson Kelvin. Chesane Steven. That is yes. Sosa Yanessi. Alvarado Okel Joel. Alvarado Okel Joel. Blunt Teron. He has some. No, he's telling me to refer to the certificate. I said you have it. Griffin Charlie. Edward Carleen. Joseph Samuel. Borden Chaniqua. Boros Leola. Cross Talisha. O'Fara. Steven Sandra. Wade Bryan. L.S. Tiffany. Washington Marcy. Solomon Antonio. Palmer Tangela. Robinson Nathaniel. Nicholson Renville. Alvarez Damuel. Flowers Chacuena. Gonzales Guadalupe. Westbury Cordell. Gutierrez Ruiz Inez. Hepburn Michelle. Lurie Angela. Clay Daniela. Rosario Laura. Holloway Jessica. Echevarria Kiwana. Tua Kimberly. Rivera Mayra. Gomez Junior Mario. Gomez Junior Mario. More Bianca Renee. And last but not least. De La Cruz my love.
While we have our entire group of new hires. Our bus operators. Bus class 1 of 2026. Because you all are no longer trainees. You now have crossed that line. And now you are bus operators from this day forward. Can we please give them a round of applause? There we go. And okay. Okay. Okay. You don't have to stop on my behalf. Keep going. I realize that you all were holding back. I think you were trying to conserve some of the energy until you saw your loved one. But thank you. So let's move along in our program. For our professional bus operator pledge. Excuse me guys. You all can have a seat. They will. They are. But for our professional bus operator pledge. I would like to bring forth instructor Chantel Simpkins.
Good afternoon family and friends. I would like to thank you guys so much for this great support. So could you clap it up for yourselves? Thank you so much. The support is awesome. It's amazing. Thanks for supporting bus class one of 2026. Bus class one. I'm going to have all of you guys please stand. Professional bus operators pledge. Okay. Be sure to repeat after me guys. I understand that I am a public servant for Miami-Dade County. I am here to provide excellent service to the residents and visitors of Miami-Dade County. I promise to always drive safe, turn slow, and scan for pedestrians. I promise to always give the best customer service. I promise to always greet my customers with a smile. I promise to do my part to ensure a safe, clean, efficient, and reliable transportation service. I promise to deliver excellence every day by consistently doing all of the above. And only then will I be considered a professional bus operator. Family and friends, let's clap it up for bus class one of 2026. Bus class one, thank you so much. Congratulations. You may be seated. Thank you.
Ms. Simpkins, I need my program. Yes. Yes. Thank you, Ms. Simpkins. Now for our closing remarks, I have Instructor Franklin Brown.
Good afternoon, everybody. Before I begin, I'd just like to spend a second or two to thank the special members that came out today from Local 291 of TWU. Thank you, guys. Also, I'd like to thank our members of GSAF, GSAF Local 100 for coming out as well. This afternoon, I just want to say congratulations to you guys. It has been a pleasure, truly a pleasure, to be one of your instructors, to get you through the process. And it has been truly amazing for me to watch you go from zero knowledge all the way up to where you guys are today. I would not be an instructor today if I didn't use this as a teachable moment. So, how did I do it? I went from driving the bus for 26 years, and this would be my fourth year as an instructor, right? The turns, I can do that. Defensive driving, that's great, too. But when it comes to people, that's a special case. I would love to say to you that every day that you are here on this job, it will be as great as it is today. So, how did I do it? Because cool, calm Brown wasn't always calm. So, here's a little advice. When I drove the bus, I felt the need to become the actor. This became my costume. And just as you went to the play, at maybe high school, at Broadway, I became the actor the same way. My uniform costume served me well. And while I was here, I followed the script. When I went home, I took off my uniform costume, and then I became Frank at home again. And when I got back, if I did not follow the script put before you by the director, I would be going downtown if I didn't follow the script, and I would be cut from the cast. So, my advice to you today is, you don't have to do what I did, but make sure you have something here to block out the people that will sometimes get under your skin. And with that, you know I'm not a very long-winded speaker, but I just want to say congratulations. It has been a pleasure to serve you.
Thank you, Mr. Brown. Well, I guess I have to step back in again. It is now 2.34. So, listen to me well, please. We want to take a picture with the entire group, Bus Class 1. So, if you all can, we want to bring you here on the stage along with everyone in the front row. We'll get one last photo. And if your friends and family, loved ones, you all want to come and take a photo of the entire group as well, that would be great. And we want to do that as quickly as possible because it is 2.34. And at 2.50, the bus will be leaving. 2.45, the bus will be leaving. And the question is, will you be on it, operator? All right? So, with that being said, this will conclude the graduation ceremony for Bus Class 1 of 2026. Thank you for coming.
Thank you.