Deaf Valedictorian gives inspirational speech
COBB COUNTY, Ga-- Evan Mercer was born deaf, but it wasn't discovered until he was four years old. Specialists told his parents he would never read, and speaking was out of the question. Evan defied the prediction in his valedictorian speech at Harrison High School May 22nd.
"Deafness has taught me to never give up," he said from the stage. "Not when experts tell you it can't be done. Not when you've fallen so far behind, quitting seems the only way out. Not when achieving your dreams seems an absolute impossibility."
Evan told the crowd it took him seven years to say a simple three-word sentence. "Understand and quitting is easy," he said. "It's also permanent."
His speech is full of wisdom out of place in a high school auditorium.
"If you want something, refuse to allow the skeptics to poison it."
"Find your own impossible and bring it to its knees."