I remember the day my mother asked me whether I wanted to switch schools or not. It was the summer of 2014, we had just moved to Norwood Park but at the same time we had also moved farther from my old school. I was a student at that school for eight years and even though it was a huge school, everyone knew me. Even with that in mind, I immediately replied with “Yes!” without a second thought. It was not that I didn’t love my school—in fact, I adored it—but because I believed that it would be the perfect opportunity to prepare for high school. Once you enter high school, there will be a completely new setting, and not to mention a whole new group of classmates awaiting you. Because of this, I thought that going to a new school would be valuable practice. I couldn’t have made a better decision, though, I do regret taking the lunchrooms back at my old school for granted. …show more content…
Although I wasn’t able to climb this mountain along with my class the entire way, I’ve come to grow close to my classmates. It seems as though I’ve been here all my academic life. I’d like to thank my fellow classmates for the memories we shared. Even though our time together was short, I will forever cherish these years. Teachers… I only know a few of you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t thank all of you. Together, you brought my classroom here to this stage and you will never know how grateful I am for this. I know that we haven’t been the easiest group to handle, but somehow you managed to bring us this far. How you did this will be a mystery to us
Goyne. Session1.Journal I want to go back to school to finish my Elementary education degree to become a teacher and work with Special Needs Students. I know what it is like for some of the special needs students because I used to be one myself. I have always loved school and it was hard because I did not learn the same way as my classmates. I was always behind and I would ask help from the teacher but they would tell me that they were to busy and come back after school for help.
Looking back on my three years at Twin Cities Academy, I find myself wondering how all these years came and went so fast. I still watch myself walking through the same halls and sitting in the same classrooms as I did back in 6th and 7th grade and I’ve seen myself grow so much, mentally, socially and physically. I still remember everything that has happened throughout my years, the best of times, and the worst.
Making new friends, walking through the halls of a new school, and trying to become popular are a few concerns students stress over, prior to their first day of classes. I, Eitan Boutehsaz fell under this category as I made my switch from a private school, Yeshiva Ohr Chaim, to a public school, Great Neck North Middle School. It was the day after Labor Day, September 5, 2005, and I finally arrived at the institution where I would spend the next year attending. I was anxious, nervous, and in doubt of what this new chapter of my life at Great Neck North would have in store for me. At 7:35 A.M., I walked onto the stairs of the bus, but quickly realized I left my most prized possession at home, my basketball. I ran back into my house and took my basketball from its case on my chest. I ran back down the stairs and stormed out of my house, trying to get back my breath while sweating profusely, and got back on the bus. The bus was filled with excited-young peers’ ready to attend the first day of classes at a familiar school with friends; however, I had no reason to be happy. I was without my long time friends who I spent ten wonderful years with at Yeshiva Ohr Chaim. Nevertheless, I used my basketball as a means to get me through my first day of school because it was and will always be my “insurance policy.” Overall, my expectations for what Great Neck North would offer for me were not even close to what proceeded in the future. The year was filled with joyous occasions, academic success, the acquirement of best friends, flirtatious encounters with the opposite sex, and most importantly leading the Great Neck North basketball team to its first playoff appearance. In essence, as I reminiscence over my first year of public school, a framed...
To the County High School Class of 2012: As you sit in front of me, I know what most of you are thinking at the moment. There are those who are already pondering about what life without high school will be like; those who are debating whether or not to tell your crush tonight about your whispers of adoration you’ve secretly held for four years; some simply want to get out of that ungodly chair, get that thing that isn’t really a diploma but only tells you when to pick up the thing, and then be the first one on the green bus to the grad party — you know who you are. And the rest, well, the rest aren’t even paying attention, you’re thinking, “Great, here comes one of the valedictorian speakers. Next up: a boring speech straight out of the pits of scholarly hell.” And it’s OK, I don’t mind — that sort of thing comes with the territory. But tonight, I ask that you give me a chance to break that stereotype so that I may address you in the full splendor that you deserve after 13 grueling years of work. I do not want to be known as your “valedictorian” as I stand here, c’mon guys, there is no time left to place labels on people anymore, instead I ask that you accept me as one of your peers — and as a man who will enjoy becoming a graduate alongside you.
Good evening. Some of you out there may not realize this but those of you who attended Suntime Middle School have been with this guy for the last seven years. I would like to ask you all, not just Suntime Middle School grads and who all else, to join me in thanking Mr. Weather for his patience and dedication to the success of our education over the years. We are the Class of 2000. The first graduating class of the new millennium. The past four years have been pretty wild. We started out as a bunch of rats in a small cage, but as time went by we learned and matured and became big rats in a new small cage, but in any case, the cage door is now opening; the handlers turning us wild things loose. As we leave "Where the Wild Things Are," home to some of the best cat fights, fist fights and food fights this side of the Cascades, I have a little surprise for all of you sitting in front of me here tonight in your caps and gowns … we ain’t seen nothing yet!
I not only had the fear of starting high school, like everyone else, but I also had the fear of starting a brand new school, with no one I knew, people who have known each other since kindergarten. I didn’t know what it was going to be like, if I would fit in, if making new friends was going to be easy, or even how big the school was. I was never involved in sports, my freshman year I tried out for the cheerleading team; I MADE IT! It made me feel excellent about myself that there wasn’t much competition, and it didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. It being in a little community and little school, 150 in the graduating class, made it nice that there was constantly a lot of school spirit and the community was constantly included in everything the school had been going on such as; any games for any kind of sports, any fundraisers or any volunteer work that needed to be done. All the students and teachers were greatly welcoming; it wasn’t highly diverse at all. If I would have graduated from there, there would have been only four African americans in my graduating class. From experience and in my opinion, racism is a big cause of violence and causes more drugs; this school didn’t have any violence and very little drug use from what I saw of students. Everyone knowing everyone made it easier for everyone to get along, there was never much drama, even being a girl. The small
I can remember sitting in class, feeling eyes burning through me, dodging inquisitive glances from all sides, and anxiously awaiting the bell to ring for lunchtime. As most people know, lunch is the most dreaded part of the first day at a new school. First day of school memories are still fairly vivid for me; my father was in the JAG corps in the Army and my family moved with biannual regularity. In fact, I even attended three different high schools. While this may seem highly undesirable to some, I learned an incredible amount about myself, the world, and other people through movement that I may never have learned otherwise.
Let’s flash back in time to before our college days. Back to then we had lunch trays filled with rubbery chicken nuggets, stale pizza, and bags of chocolate milk. A backpack stacked with Lisa Frank note books, flexi rulers, and color changing pencils. The times where we thought we wouldn’t make it out alive, but we did. Through all the trials and tribulations school helped build who I am today and shaped my future. From basic functions all the way to life-long lessons that helped shape my character.
Class of 2012, as we sit here this evening, I would like you to take a look at the classmates sitting around you. Many students have given countless hours of time, energy, and passion to worthy cuases that they have been a part of throughout high school. However, those aren't the only students deserving of recognition this evening. We have students here tonight, who have taken a stand for what they believe in, not even hesitating to compromise their reputations.
Today, as we graduate, with degree nearly in hand, I challenge each of you to make a difference in whatever you do. Remember that life didn't end when we re-entered school. Life continued throughout our program. Even when stretched to the limit, life only got more challenging. And now, graduating, life only changes pace. Our degree completion is not really an ending as much as a new beginning as we re-enter our lives of work and home. We thank all of our family, friends, instructors and co-workers who helped see us through this process. Thank you for this opportunity and good luck to you all.
Now I would like to take the time to thank everyone who has helped me get this far. First of all, thank you to all the teachers. None of us would be here without you always pushing our academic abilities to the fullest. Jessica Parker a.k.a. my partner in crime as Mr. Tri would refer to us. You made everyday coming to school worthwhile. Hillary Laswell, who would leave third period to go steal flowers from horticulture and give them to Mrs. Granillo with me. My brother Jeramie who always said, "If anyone is mean to you, I'll take care of it." My Mom, thank you for always believing in me and putting up with me when I was a real jerk.
Let me begin by saying that I am very honored to be addressing the County High School Class of 2012 as students of this institution for the last time. We've spent these last four years creating some serious memories: four years of chieftain power, leaking roofs, questionable Homecoming skits, and musical principals. Four years of good teachers, bad teachers, new teachers, old teachers. Four years of youth, music, growing up and breaking free. Four rubber chickens, four yearbooks, four ASB presidents and four chubby bunnies.
But most of all I want to thank all of the Career and Technical Education students that are here to welcome the new Administration and yet again show their abilities, readiness and desire to be responsible leaders in the career path they have chosen. How about a round of applause to all of these hard working guys and gals who are the future of our country. “Applause” We are here today because we have faith in in you! We’re here because we want to make sure that you get all the skills and education you need to reach your dreams and desires. We’re here because we know your dreams are so big and astonishing and also realize that you need all the support you can get! We’re here because we know one of the best ways is through career and technical education also known as CTE. Thanks again, for letting me and your new school board be part of your dream! “Applause”
It was the second semester of fourth grade year. My parents had recently bought a new house in a nice quite neighborhood. I was ecstatic I always wanted to move to a new house. I was tired of my old home since I had already explored every corner, nook, and cranny. The moment I realized I would have to leave my old friends behind was one of the most devastating moments of my life. I didn’t want to switch schools and make new friends. Yet at the same time was an interesting new experience.
Having spent twelve years of my school life in just one small red brick building, the years tend to fade into each other. But the year I remember most clearly and significantly is my senior year of high school, where I finally began to appreciate what this institution offered to any student who stopped to look. Before, school had been a chore, many times I simply did not feel motivated toward a subject enough to do the homework well, and seeing the same familiar faces around ever since I was 5 years old grew very tiring soon enough. But I began to see things from a different angle once I became a senior.