'Duck Dynasty' Star Willie Robertson to Deliver Graduation Speech at Alma Mater
Willie Robertson, star of the A&E reality series "Duck Dynasty," will be delivering the upcoming commencement speech at the high school he graduated from over 20 years ago.
Robertson will be delivering the commencement speech to the 2014 graduating students of West Monroe High School on May 15. The reality television star, who is also CEO of the multi-million dollar Duck Commander business, graduated from West Monroe High in 1990.
The high school's principal, Shere May, who was Robertson's guidance counselor in 1990, told the Monroe News Star that Robertson's immense success from humble beginnings is thrilling, and she looks forward to him sharing his journey with the students.
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"You never know what your students are going to do with their lives," May said. "His success just thrills me."
"We are so proud of him and his success and what he has brought to the community," the high school principal continued. "He stands up for what he believes in. I think the students will get a lot of hearing what he has to say. He and his family are loved and respected in the community."
Robertson now runs the Duck Commander duck call business that his father, Phil Robertson, began in his shed in the 1970's. The Robertson family have become pop culture icons since their A&E reality show, "Duck Dynasty," gained popularity in 2012.
Along with their many business ventures, including clothing lines and coffee brands, the Robertson family has also offered their time by giving back to the community, especially locally in West Monroe, La. Along with speaking at the commencement ceremony for West Monroe High School, Willie Robertson also recently spoke at a "Celebration Rally" at Haughton High School in Louisiana this past Sunday.
The multi-church event, known as Haughton Adventure Weekend, sought to combine evangelism with a love for the outdoors. Robertson reportedly spoke to about 1,400 people on Sunday about the importance of spreading Christianity throughout the community.
The Robertson family has been so active in its local Louisiana community that the state's Gov. Bobby Jindal awarded the family with the inaugural Governor's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in April 2014.
Gov. Jindal said at the award ceremony that he chose to give recognition to the Robertson family due to "the tremendous impact that Duck Commander's expansion has had on our community and on all Louisianians."
"The Robertsons have lived the American Dream," Jindal said at the event. "They've proven there are no limits to what you can accomplish."
