2008 PNMA Guest Speaker
Bill Greco, GHS Class of 1963

I’m honored to be here this morning to pay tribute to the five finalists and their families and participate in this inspiring awards assembly event that honors the memory of my good friend and former classmate Pat Navolanic.

I first attended this event several years ago and remember arriving at Glendale High and being directed to a special parking section and greeted by a student organizer asking me if I was here for the “Pat Navalonic Memorial Award.”  It was strange coming back to campus over 40 years later and hearing Pat’s name spoken by a student. Even more strange to walk across campus towards the auditorium and see his photograph on poster announcements, as if he was running for student body president again. That experience really brought me back in time. It also led me to ask myself the question, what made Pat Navolanic such a special person? Why has his memory transcended time for all these years and how would I best describe my memory of him. After giving it some thought, the word charisma came to mind. I went to Webster’s Dictionary and looked up the definition which read “a person that has a special magnetic charm or appeal.” That definition matched my memory of Patrick perfectly!

Pat’s magnetic charm has touched many lives beside my own. Over the years I have come to realize that when special people like Pat and the nominees honored here today touch our lives, they teach us how to live.  In many ways, the significance of this assembly today is that it celebrates life. It celebrates the importance of personal connection and reminds us that much of our success and fulfillment in life depends on our ability to relate effectively to others.

I was fortunate to relate to Pat on many levels at Glendale High School. We participated together in Student Government, Theater Art Productions, Track and Field events and shared our religious faith. In fact, my memory is that it seemed that Pat was EVERYWHERE you looked. But what I remember most about him is that he never focused on just being successful…..he focused on being significant.

His significance was felt by making others feel important. He had a way of making you feel special. Within the first several minutes of conversation with him, he would make a comment that made you feel appreciated and special. His charisma was based on his true concern for others and his commitment in building relationships with his fellow classmates.

My memory of Pat as a student body leader has helped me throughout my years in Corporate Management. Pat served as a role model in helping me identify individuals who have an influence over others. There’s a sense of confidence and contentment you feel when you are in the presence of people like Pat. Their contentment is in knowing and believing that they have everything they need to respond to whatever present circumstances they encounter.

Over 40 years ago…I experienced Patrick Navolanic as an individual. Today I am left with the memory of how he impacted my life. So I ask each of you, who has been an influence in your life? And more importantly, how do you use your strengths to help other people feel better about themselves?

An occasion like this morning’s assembly should be a call to action for some of you to think about how you fit in to GHS society. How will you make a difference in the lives of others? What can you do in your remaining time here on this campus to leave your mark? How will you be significant? It’s something to consider.

Thank You!