It sure took me a long time to get this far.
At times I thought I wouldn't make it through high school because as I was growing up I would watch my older brother, Jason, struggling in school. I would think that if he was having trouble, then I would too. My Mom heard about Hall High and their different way of teaching, so she enrolled my brother. As time passed, his grades got better and he quit skipping so much.
So when I could, I enrolled in Hall, expecting this school to help me. It did! I like Hall because of all the extra attention from the teachers. Everyone here is on a first name basis, and if I had a problem, they were by my side to help me. I could ask them anything, and they would guide me, steer me in the right direction. But the main thing I like about the teachers here at Hall is that they take time out of their way during or after school to help out me with my troubles ... and I have had a LOT of troubles.
History, for instance. I just couldn't see why I needed it. But, Pat, my History Teacher taught me that if you learn about the past, it helps enable you to predict the future and not keep making the same mistakes. If you know what has happened in the past (like concentration camps) we can help make sure that doesn't ever happen again. If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. If you want to change, you have to do something different.
There are also many things I've learned about myself here at Hall. Like, how to cope with my problems. Now I know how to work through them. Thanks Mary. Thanks Jane. I've made many friends in this school, Friends that I hope to have for a lifetime. Not just the students, but teachers too. As I proceed in life, I plan on coming back and visiting all of you. All of you helped make me who I am today.
George Matthew Adams said there is no such thing as a "self-made man." We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts.
Class of 2012, we've finally made it, but not without the help of our parents, teachers and mentors along the way. Maybe what they did for us was that they were a good rudder and we're the ship, and they got us to the sea where we remember who we are. Because we all get in that fog, where we forget who we are or what we're about, we get overwhelmed. I mean I've been there plenty of times in my life. But we're not going to remember most of our lives until the end. But we will remember certain moments. Maybe it's our first 4.0 report card, maybe it's our first 100 percent biology test, maybe it's our first homerun, our first touchdown. Whatever it may be, it will stay with us forever. Many of us have been together through elementary, middle and high school, and we have all had to work hard and remain focused to be where we are today. All change happens in a minute. Your life changes in a moment. Something triggers you and you finally make a decision and it all shifts. As years go by, your body is going to change, your relationships are going to change, your attitude is going to change. Change is automatic, but progress is not. Our progress has brought us here tonight, and tonight will become one of those moments that we will cherish forever.
No amount of education can completely prepare us for the world that lies ahead of us. Because it presents many unknowns, it is exciting yet at the same time frightening. I know that there are still so many things that can only be learned through experience; a challenge with which we will soon all be faced. I would like to read a letter written by a woman by the name of Avril Johannes which was published in the book "Chicken Soup For the Soul." She writes this letter to the world upon her son's and his classmates' graduation and it relates some of these same ideas.
The next few days at school, I started to really understand the schedule and got the hang of migrating between Lasalle and DePaul. I made new friends everyday, did not struggle with my locker once, had lunches that tasted, smelled, and looked amazing, and I am really glad I chose to come to Sacred Heart Cathedral. Everyone is really welcoming and nice. I have made great friends and I am really excited for the next four years at Sacred Heart
Students, faculty, family, friends, on this exciting day, I speak to optimism, laughter, and grins.
During my time here at Hudson High School, I have learned so much about what I could achieve for myself and I have developed new passions I continue to chase. I have succeeded and grown in many different programs, clubs and on the field hockey team. I have also developed a strong work ethic by being employed almost entirely through these four years.
At times it may have been extremely difficult for some of us to predict where we would be today, but now we can embark upon our goals and congratulate ourselves for always striving to conquer our missions. No longer do we need to reminisce about what we were unable to accomplish - for we have accomplished the first step in our education.
When I was in preschool, I was just learning how to write. Now, I am getting ready to graduate and move on to high school. This school has prepared me in many ways for high school and college. All of the teachers care for each and every one of the students and help the students understand the curriculum. Throughout my academic experience, I have made many memories with my fellow classmates. A memory that we will never forget is the competitive mad minutes in elementary school. Another memory that we will never forget is caleva. Everyone had so much fun and enjoyed it. We learned a lot about teamwork and trusting one another and that is the main thing about
My first day as a “high-schooler” was also my first day not going to a Jenks Public School. Transferring schools during possibly one of the most important transitions of my life? Nerve-wracking. But my new school, Holland Hall, quickly became my new home. I was blown away by my unbelievably engaged classmates and supportive teachers. The friends I made there were open minded and creative, and I am proud to say that they have rubbed off on me. Holland Hall taught me how to be engaged both in class and out as well as how to actively seek out the help of my teachers.
Today is our first day of being the leaders, doers, and problem solvers of the future. Those who persevere, who give it their all and approach each day with optimism will ultimately meet success and happiness. Of course, there will be many a failure on that windy road of life, but with dedication, we can do anything and make any dream come true. But, as we grow older and encounter success, we must not forget those who have had it rough, whose lives may have hit some potholes on the way, and we must take care of those who need a helping hand. As each of us leaves our mark on the world, be generous and be happy, and always remember the good times, good friends, and lessons learned at Marefat.
After 18 long years of waiting, it is finally our turn. After 13 years of schooling, some difficult, some not, it is finally our turn. After this last, excruciatingly long year of waiting, hoping, dreaming, it is finally our turn.
Old Colony introduced me a skill that I would most likely would have never discovered if I had not attended. The school presented me my love for design, and I am so grateful for that. Before enrollment, I would have never thought I had even a drop of artistry in my veins but I was proved to be wrong. It is amazing to me to dig through my work from my freshman to
A long time ago in what seems like another lifetime, we were once little children watching the blinking TV while we sat eating Mac and Cheese without a care in the world. So much time has passed since then, how quickly time flies. Now, instead of walking to the bus for our first day of kindergarten, we are walking across this stage for our diplomas - I think everyone will agree that it's all about time.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Sitting in the backseat of the car, I used to bombard my family with these questions. On our summer road trips I was so anxious for the destination that I failed to appreciate the journey. However, as time passed and I grew older, I realized that it was the journey that was important and not the destination.
To begin something new, you must sacrifice something old. To enter the real world, you must graduate your childhood.
Good evening parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and friends. I would like to thank you all for coming to this very special day. I know how proud you must be. As we have grown over the years, there are many stages we all have gone through. From learning our shapes and colors, to getting our first kiss in middle school, or how about explaining to our parents why we skipped school because the principal called home. As we remember these days, things that we've done will be with us forever. But this is only the start of our journey. The day has come where we say goodbye to the big yellow buses, assemblies, assigned seating, and attendance policies. Are you really gonna miss it? For some of us maybe not right away. But eventually we will so for us to be here it is not necessarily an achievement, but a privilege. All of us have been in school over half our lives. To graduate is one more step we've taken in our lives.