To be completely honest, at the end of my junior year, I felt ready to be up here. I watched a lot of my friends go through their senior year and felt completely prepared to move on. I could hardly stand the thought of another year at County High School, in what I thought would be stagnant water. At that point in my life, I had no idea how much I had left to learn and how much one more year at County High would mean.
It ended up being, collectively, one of the most amazing experiences I have even had. From the very beginning, it was not what I expected. Boys tennis, never a very strong team at County High, surprised me, and alone was an unforgettable experience. I never envisioned myself playing in the league finals, I was as surprised as anyone, and when I missed out on state, I was as disappointed as anyone. Other activities left their mark; finally being involved in art, finally playing with the jazz band, finally being completely done with pit orchestra. I also never imagined a thing called 'knowledge bowl' could be so much fun. Each activity, in itself, built a memory I will forever hold.
More even than the activities, the people I became close to this year have grown to be cornerstones of who I've become. Most of my good friends graduated last year and I thought I would be lost without them. The situation ended up being the exact opposite, however, and I now cannot imagine what I would be like had I never become close to my good friends now. I have watched myself, and those around me become better, stronger people.
I now can say that I would not give up a second of my time here for anything. The teachers here, the other students, the opportunities and the experiences have made me what I am today.
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.
Over the past four years, we have grown from insecure, immature freshmen to successful, focused and confident young adults. This incredible transformation has been the result of our entire high school experience. Everything from that first homecoming game, to late night cramming, to the last dance at prom. These experiences have pulled us together as a class and we have learned to love and respect our fellow classmates.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote, "You are a very special person - become what you are." These words encourage us, the graduating class of 2012, to recognize the goodness and potential in each and every one of us and to go out and excel in the world. We are a diverse group of different aspirations and backgrounds, bound for different corners of the earth to carve out our won individual niches. Before we leave behind Lee Falls High School and each other, we must ask ourselves how we have become who we are.
The last semester of my junior year was mind boggling. I had the amazing opportunity to see First Wave perform at the national Keystone Conference in Orlando, Florida. In awe and inspired, at how poetry, music, storytelling, and hip-hop combined to tackle issues such as conformity and peer pressure. Not only did I want to be a part of the program, I wanted to graduate from the school that they attended as well. To be incorporated in a group of people with strong, creative minds will expose me to how other people view the world and give me experiences that I would not have the opportunity to have anywhere else.
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!
When I graduated from McDonough High School, I had everything planned out. I was going to go to a four-year university and study Architectural Engineering. My senior year, my father was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer. We didn't know the extent the tumor had done to his brain or how much longer he had to live. This took a big toll on my mother as well as my three sisters. I continued to focus on my studies graduating with honors.
I didn't realize how much I enjoyed them until it was too late. I would go watch our sports teams mostly volleyball, but I also watch our soccer and football team. One of my closest friends was on the volleyball team so me and my group would go watch him play. Volleyball is a extraordinary sport to watch especial in person, It was a really exciting time. We made him signs and we became regarded as superfans. I actually participated in Spirit week and the events they had leading up to Christmas such as ugly sweater day. I had fun participating in those events, I wish I would have done it sooner. The three other years of high school I didn’t do much except join the drama club sophomore year and continued it until senior year. Reflecting back made me angry because at the end of my high school career was when I really started enjoying high school. When I was enjoying my time the most it all went away so quick. That really got to me ,but instead of experiencing sadness about my reflection on high school, I felt outraged; I was angry with myself about the opportunities I missed during high school. As I mentioned previously sports was something that I regret not doing the most. As Well as all
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.
I really enjoyed most parts of sophomore year, because I continued to make more friends and memories. When I was fourteen my friend Willow and I visited San Diego for a week. That was one of my favorite road trips, because we were never bored and we always made fun of my brothers driving. My favorite memory from San Diego is when we went to the Wild Animal Park, because we were able to go into the exhibit with my favorite animals, the Ring Tailed Lemur. It was such a unique experience, because the lemurs were literally six inches away from my
I began to make personal connections with many of the students at Homecoming. When the event was over, I was, for the first time, disappointed. This was the first event where it did not feel like a chore; it was actually something I was genuinely passionate about.
The only thing I was excited for at first was that I had the opportunity to go to the amazing Muskoka trip as the fabulous secretary, Miss Rock escribed it. This experience has changed my life, I made strong relationships with people such as my teachers Mrs. Evon who thinks (add something mrs. Evon thinks I am), with Coni, Katherine and Jaden who will forever have a place in my heart. I made friends with people I never thought I’d talk to, done things I never imagined myself doing, and taken risks unfathomable to me. As time went by I grew a great liking for this school and was happy that I didn’t go to Grade 9, if not how would I have these amazing people I now have in my life. And for my classmates, for always bringing a little liveliness into situations and being so friendly and super
Through the last 13 weeks I have learned about whom I am and what makes me who I am. I have made some great friends not only my age but also older and younger than me. I have realized many things about myself that I never would have realized if I wouldn’t have came here. College is a whole new experience that you could never imagine unless you are there. It is nothing like you read or even that you watch on TV. It is completely different and you learn a lot about yourself as a person.
High school has been a very interesting experience for me. It has definitely had its highs and lows and many confusing experiences in between. Overall, I feel like I have been equipped for not only college, but also life as a whole. High school has taught me many things, both academically and emotionally. It has revealed and exposed my true colors, both good and bad, and as a result, has built many aspects of my character. My experiences at Alameda High school and Alameda Community Learning Center have shaped me into the person that I am today.
Going into freshman year of high school was something that hit me unexpectedly. I couldn’t believe that 4 years from then I would be graduating. To me it seemed like an eternity of course, as if I had all the time in the galaxy to relax before things would become more profound such as grades, time management skills, and independence.
My freshman year was one of ‘entering’ and I was overwhelmed, but happy. I made new friends with