State Representative Matt Gabler was the featured speaker Friday during Ridgway's commencement ceremony.

By Greg Reedy
Sports Editor

State Representative Matt Gabler (R-Elk/Clearfield) encouraged the graduates and gave advice to the Ridgway Class of 2010 during commencement ceremonies Friday night.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to offer you a few thoughts as you stand ready to tackle new challenges and open a new chapter in your lives," Gabler said. "As I stand and behold the Ridgway Class of 2010, I'm certain that the future plans of each graduate vary widely from person to person. Each of you will find throughout your lives that your life will follow a different path from the plans you've laid out.
"But as we sit in this room this evening, I hope that's not an idea that's too discomforting for you," Gabler said. "In the same way that you might feel nervous before you are called upon to perform or speak in front of others or in the same way you might feel nervous before an athletic event, a little bit of nervousness might be a healthy thing. Those nerves can be channeled into adrenaline, focus and diligence to make you the best that you can be."
Gabler themed part of his speech on a quote from General George Patton.
"It was General George Patton who said 'A good plan executed today is better than a perfect plan executed at some indefinite point in the future.' A good plan will still encounter hiccups, changes and revisions," Gabler said. "The most important thing is to not be so attached to your plan that you are unable or unwilling to adjust and improvise.
"To use a baseball analogy, life should be played like that great shortstop who is on the balls of his feet, ready to go left or go right, charge or retreat, ready to go in whatever direction the ball is hit next," Gabler said. "I know we're getting tired of hearing the same old broken record of people repeating to us on how bad the economy is, how tough times are and how big our challenges are. I'm not going to stand here and tell you that things are great. But it never hurts to be an optimist. There are opportunities in every situation and I encourage you to find your opportunities."
Gabler also spoke about how plans can change in life. He referenced himself as an example of that.
"I know I thought I had my plans well laid out when I graduated. My plan was I was going to go to college, I was going to serve in the Army for a couple of years, go to law school and then make a lot of money," Gabler said. "But as opportunities came along, I revised and I improvised. Then I found myself unemployed for seven months after I finished college. And as I heard all my friends talk about the great jobs they were starting into and how much they were moving on with their lives, I was frustrated that I couldn't seem to catch a break.
"During those first seven months, I was trying to find any job I could that paid money and I was furious that it wasn't working," Gabler said. "Now, however, I look back and I'm thankful that none of those jobs came through. You see, the job I wanted but I didn't even know it yet, came available and it just so happened it came available at the same time I changed my job search strategy. I started looking in a new city at just the right time and it turned out that job was a research analyst working for another member of the state House of Representatives. It wasn't just any job, it happened to be that perfect job that when I got it, I just knew it was right. That job, of course, led from one thing to the next. I ended up being able to run for state representative and I'm pretty happy with how things turned out."  
Gabler then spoke more about his first seven months after graduation, a time period where Gabler felt he was the furthest thing from a success.
"In that first seven months, I felt like a failure," Gabler said. "I couldn't believe that I could get through school, school kind of came and went and I thought I was successful, and all of a sudden I was out of it and I thought I was a failure. The moral of the story is failure is never permanent. Success is not permanent either."
Furthermore, Gabler hopes the graduates appreciate being from Elk County.
"Be thankful you are from Elk County. I know a lot of us take things for granted. I took the area I grew up in for granted. I wanted to get out of here," Gabler said. "I encourage you to think about where you came from. One of things I've learned, especially in the past two years, is how special of a place Elk County really is.
"People around here know how to get stuff done, people know how to adjust and improvise," Gabler said. "This is the place where the powdered metal industry was born. They just figured it out. I think that is pumping through each and every one of your veins. I want to encourage you to capitalize on that, figure out how things work and make it happen whether your next step is college, some kind of vocational school, into the work force or whether you haven't figured that out, you'll figure that out."
Gabler feels Ridgway does a good job in preparing students for life after graduation.
"High schools such as Ridgway play a significant role in preparing people for many paths in life," Gabler said. "There are many paths, each with its own reward. Whatever path you choose to pursue, feel confident that Ridgway High School has prepared you for success. Where you take it from here is up to you."
Gabler closed by saying that graduating is not an ending.
"As you go on to celebrate this day, remember that these are not ending ceremonies, they're commencement ceremonies," Gabler said. "I wish you all the best as you commence the next phase of your professional and personal journeys."