Wellesley High teacher David McCullough Jr. drew some attention with his speech to the school’s graduates on Friday, urging them to pursue their goals not merely to cross them off a list, but for what he called “the exhilaration of learning.’’

“The fulfilling life, the distinctive life, the relevant life, is an achievement, not something that will fall into your lap because you’re a nice person or mommy ordered it from the caterer,’’ he said.