Salesian Gentleman Speech- Father Judge High School
Graduation: Salesian Gentleman Speech
Matthew Kimbrell
Father Judge High School, Class of 2025
Good evening to the Most Reverend Bishop Chylinski, Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial of Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, distinguished guests, our administration, faculty, families, friends, and most especially, to the Class of 2025.
Matthew Kimbrell with Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS.
My name is Matthew Kimbrell, and I'm truly honored to stand before you today. What an extraordinary moment this is—not just because we've reached the end of one journey, but because we're stepping into something much larger than ourselves. It's tempting to say, "We've finally made it," and leave it at that. But the truth is, we haven't arrived- we've only just begun. What lies ahead is uncertain, yes, but also full of possibility.
Now, I imagine many of you are feeling nervous. That's normal. You should be. This next chapter won't be easy-but I promise you, through God's will and your own perseverance, it will be worthwhile.. Someone once told me that it's okay not to know what you'll be doing tomorrow, or next week, or even next year. The important thing is to be present. So, to everyone gathered here today, not just my classmates, but the parents, faculty, and friends who have walked with us, don't lose sight of this moment because right here, right now-is where life is happening.
At Judge, we've been fortunate to be shaped by the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, whose legacy guides not only our school but the lives we aspire to lead. Through him, we've come to know the Salesian Seven Virtues:
Respecting Yourself and Others
Recognizing Your Unique Gifts and Talents
Being Patient with Everyone, Especially Yourself
Being Gentle
Being Grateful
Being Positive
Being Confident
These aren't just ideals-they're practices. Ways of living with integrity, resilience, and purpose. And while each virtue speaks to me, the one that has become most personal is patience, especially the kind we extend to ourselves… That lesson became real to me through someone many of you know well: Mr. Sifoni.
To some, he's the man who checks our IDs and hands out JUGS. But beneath that surface is someone whose life tells a much deeper story. His parents immigrated from Italy and raised him to understand that success is earned through effort, not entitlement. From a young age, they instilled in him the value of hard work, and today, he lives that lesson every single day.
Mr. Sifoni works four jobs. He has three children. He coaches multiple teams. And he still finds time to greet us in the hallways with a smile-even when he's handing us a detention slip. His patience, his consistency, his quiet dedication-these are daily acts of perseverance. They are, in many ways, more instructive than any lesson taught in a classroom.
One of my favorite quotes from Saint Francis de Sales is this: "Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.” It's a line that challenges us to treat ourselves with the same grace we're taught to extend to others. Because growth isn't linear. And success doesn't come without struggle.
That's why Mr. Sifoni's example matters. He could choose to give up. He could grow bitter, frustrated, or burned out. But instead, he chooses faith. He chooses patience. He shows us, day after day, what it looks like to show up for others even when it's hard.
It's easy to feel hopeful on a day like today. But we all know that harder days will come. Days of disappointment. Days of doubt. Days when we question whether we're good enough, strong enough, or ready.
And it's precisely in those moments that hope becomes essential. When everything feels uncertain, when you feel like you're falling behind, hold on to hope. Keep it alive. Let it remind you that setbacks are not the end of your story. They're part of the journey.
So don't forget the virtues that have shaped us here. Be kind. Be patient. Be grateful. And above all, remember that every single one of us is still becoming who we are meant to be. If I could leave you with one final thought, it would be this:
You will fall. You will fail. Life will knock you down. But that doesn't mean you're lost. God never promised it would be easy, only that you would never be alone. So don't stop moving forward. Keep showing up. Keep believing. Keep building. Non Excidet- we will not fail.
Sometimes we forget that our parents or guardians are living life for the first time too. It's easy to think they've been through it all, but the truth is, they're figuring things out just like we are. Personally, I owe so much to my family- they're the reason I'm standing here today. They taught me the value of self-belief, and I know many of us can relate to that.
While I have this moment, I want to say thank you to my mom for always doing everything you could to make sure I was happy. And to my dad-you're my hero. There's no one else I'd rather look up to. To the entire Class of 2025, and to everyone who supported us along the way-thank you. We wouldn't be here without you. Live each day with purpose, presence, and faith.
Thank you.