Schools
Class of 2012 Graduation: Valedictorian Address
Emily Conn gave the valedictorian address at the Melrose High School graduation ceremonies on Friday night.
The following is the text of Emily Conn's valedictorian address at the Melrose High School Class of 2012 graduation ceremonies on Friday night.
One day a six year old girl decided, for no particular reason, that she would be the first woman to become President of the United States. She also decided that in order to prepare for this momentous feat, she should graduate as valedictorian of her high school class. As time passed, she recognized the near impossibility of achieving such ambitions, but she never gave up hope, and she never stopped working. Twelve years later, I stand here before you realizing a lifelong dream. They say that Disneyworld is the place where dreams come true, but they’re wrong. During the past four years, I have learned that dreams can come true anywhere, at any time. Melrose High School has provided that time and place for me on more occasions than I can count.
At MHS, I have acted in a musical, written for a newspaper, taken part in various forms of government, hosted a talent show, and played in a state tournament soccer game. I have been exposed to many works of literature, many cultures, and many different schools of thought. I have learned to be confident, inquisitive, and fearless. I have had so many wonderful experiences that, at this very moment, I have no idea what to do with the rest of my life. I only know that I want to continue to experience as much of the world as I possibly can. Melrose High School has taught me that opportunity is all around us. We only have to recognize and take advantage of that opportunity. This school has given us all of the tools necessary for success, we have only to use them well, and nothing will be impossible.
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Even after four years, I am still astounded by so many of the incredible individuals who are here at Melrose High School. Where is else could you find a teacher who will stay at school until 7:30 pm to make sure that you have mastered that tricky calculus problem? Where else could you a find teacher who will come in on Saturday to ensure that you are prepared for an AP exam? Where else could you find a teacher who will devote his entire summer to helping you stay in shape? The faculty and staff here are so much more than school employees. They are advisors, coaches, and mentors. They have helped to mold, not merely our minds, but our personalities. I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of them. Their guidance throughout our time at Melrose High School has meant more to us than they can possibly imagine. They have become a permanent part of each of us, and I suspect that we have left a mark on them as well.
I was in the guidance office last week, completing research for an article in our school newspaper, The Imprint, when one of our many outstanding staff members caught me by surprise saying, “I hope that none of you will forget me, because I will never forget you.” I believe her, not merely because she is a caring individual, but because we are not a class that can be easily forgotten. Yes, we have made a few mistakes along the way, but who hasn’t? It is not the mistakes that matter; it is what you have learned from those mistakes that determine the person you will become. We have become a class that is strong, energetic, and always willing to fight for our beliefs. We have united to raise money for the Jimmy Fund, completed 30,563 hours of community service, and gained admittance to some of the top colleges in the nation. Next year, we will be represented at Williams College, Northwestern University, Middlebury College, Tufts University, and many more prestigious institutions. We are a class that has had an impact on Melrose High School and will continue on to have a lasting impact on the world.
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Throughout the past four years, we have grown and matured more than we could ever imagine. We have stepped outside our comfort zones. We have pushed ourselves past our limits. We have discovered who we truly are, and now we are ready to go out and show the world everything that we have to offer, but we have in no way completed growing and changing. Life will continue to challenge and surprise us every day. Luckily, Melrose High School has given us everything we need to meet any obstacles that present themselves.
Recently I was discussing graduation with a very wise faculty member. He told me:
As you get ready for this next chapter of your life, be sure to thank the people that have stood by you, shaped you, and molded you. Don’t look at graduation asan ending…it is the beginning of the greatest time of your life. You will be viewed by society as an adult, and with this comes great responsibility. Be prepared, be honest, and work harder than you ever have to create opportunities that will last a lifetime. Become someone who we can all be proud of, someone that younger people look up to, dream about, emulate, and appreciate. Become you!!
I challenge each and every one of us to live by these words. As you move on with your life, do not forget your past. Do not forget to be responsible and hardworking. Do not forget to take risks and create opportunities. But most importantly, do not forget to be you.
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