Graduation Speech

        Writing has never been difficult for me. However, when faced with writing this speech, I found that I could not put any words together. I kept thinking and thinking about what to write and repeatedly came up with nothing. That was until I realized it wasn't that I couldn't write this speech, it was that I wouldn't write this speech. Writing this speech meant that I would be saying goodbye to the school that has impacted my life so greatly in the past, present, and for sure even future, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for that. I learned a long time ago that nothing lasts forever, but that doesn't mean I accepted it. It took time, but once I did, I poured my thoughts into this speech.

        I want to start off saying thank you. I do not know how I can express my immense gratitude into such few words, but I hope I get close. Thank you teachers, administrators, parents, and staff, for devoting so much of your time being compassionate and selfless to countless of students. Even though many of us have not shown it in big ways, we sincerely appreciate everything that you have done for us. I will always be thankful for your selfless acts of kindness.

        Next, I want to say thank you to my fellow students. I have always heard the saying, "friends are family," but I never fully understood it until now. I have met and made so many amazing friends during my years in this school district, and I cannot come close to how thankful I am for every single one of them. Thank you for making me laugh in my darkest times, and smile in my lowest moments. Thank you for staying up and laughing with me at Camp MacLean, and having a great time with me at our annual school picnic. I will never forget any of you. Thank you so much for everything.

        No matter how long from now, whether it is less than a year, a year, or more than a year, I hope that everyone is in the place that they wish to be. I have spent so much time with these people (since kindergarten!) to know that they deserve all that they desire. Future graduates, do not worry! You too will have great people to feel nervous with, and be happy with, and when the time comes for you to graduate as well, they will all be there for you.

        Abraham Lincoln once said, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Thank you Golf, for presenting me with some of the best years of my life. I have learned so much, and because of that, I am the person that I am today. From my past, present, and future self, thank you.