Page 37 - 2006

Valedictorian Address
]ood evening, and thanks for joining us in tonight's ceremonies. Your presence ueans a lot and I'm really glad you're here. I would like to begin this speech by aking a hint from the holiday and extend the most sincere thanks, not only from me, JUt o n b e h a l f o f e v e r y g r a d u a t e s e a t e d i n t h i s h u m i d g y m t o n i g h t . T h a n k y o u t o e v e r y ,erson who has led us here. Most importantly, thank you to our parents and teachers. [he sense of pride and accomplishment we feel as graduates this evening has as nuch to do with our own success as yours. We have made it this far for you, and Jecauseof you . Y ou've managed to lead us down the path of educational bliss to this Joint, the end of this particular line. For this I know you deserve so much more than
vague thank you, but at this point that's all we can offer. Tonight, our achievements tre yours as well, so take pleasure in knowing just how much your influences have :haped us into the people we have become. And who said teaching and parenting vere thankless jobs?
I'm aware that most of this sounds all too cliche, but sometimes a good one can't Je avoided so bear with me,;there will be more to come I'm sure. So, while I'm on he topic of thanks, I'd also like to personally extend mine to my fellow classmates ·or giving me the opportunity to take part in this tradition. I'm not too sure why you bought I could do it, but I'm honored to have been given the chance to "dip into the Jool of creativity" here.
must admit that the whole concept of trying to find the words to consolidate four rears of high school into one speech is a bit daunting, not only because we went brough so much while we were here, but also because each and every one of us has 1ad a completely unique experience within these halls and classrooms. For that ·eason, it would be totally pointless for me to get up here and tell you that these were he best four years of our lives and that we should cherish them always, because I'm 10t even sure that's the truth. What I can say is that I'm proud to have been a part Jf this experience; this proverbial journey to adulthood and self awareness. Maybe all I was to you was just some dark in your English class, and that's cool, Jut I know that I'm not alone in thinking that almost every person I met here has had ;orne effect on me . Through our acts of kindness and sometimes not so kindness, we 1aveshapedeachotherintothe'eversooutstandingcitizens'wearetoday. It's Jbvious that we've been through a lot together and the memories we've made here vill stay with us always as a reminder of how we've changed. This school, these very valls will hold a piece of us within. We've left marks that not even time, or the anitors can erase.
[o quote The Breakfast Club, it doesn't matter if you were a brain, an athlete, a >asket case, a princess or a criminal. I know that in some small way you had to enjoy rour time here. I'm sure that even the most cynical character in the crowd will miss he fa m i l i a r s m e l l o f t h i s o l d g y m , t h e s e a s o n a l l e a k a g e o f t h e l i b r a r y c e i l i n g s a n d M r . Iones speaking on the morning announcements. We've taken part in food drives, art >rojects, math competitions, marching bands, sports teams and countless other tctivities to get the most out of our time here, and I think we did a pretty good job
1
- especially judging from
:urrounding the whole
bing ... that went over well.
)o as we leave this school
:ense of pride in knowing
1ery important part of our
he mandatory lessons in the
tbout love and loss and the
[ake alook aroundyouright
nany years from now when
>fthesepeoplewillbeyour
~everletthat g o . l w i s h y o u
~verythingyou pursue, Life
tandlaughatit.Also,throw
lance here and there; it's good for you, I promise. Follow your heart and pursue your >liss because in the end, that's what's most important. See, I told you there would >e more cliches. Well, we've done it guys. It's official, were 'sophisticated,
~ducated,high school graduates' we are, and will always be the graduating class of wos.
Cassie Christie
tonight, we go with a that we have completed a young lives. Along with classroom we've learned true value of friendship. now , I guarantee that you ' re old and grey , a few oldest and closest friends. all the best of luck in is yours so live it explore in a bit of interpretive
Thank you and good evening.
the sheer enthusiasm unplug and play