Valedictorian Speech
Given by Katherine Goulde
Hello and welcome. Welcome parents, family, friends, teachers, students, alum, and welcome to the Class of 2006. This is one of the last times that our entire class will be assembled, and this is the last time it will be assembled surrounded by all those that made our education possible. So sit back, cherish, and hold on to these last few moments, because before you know it, they'll be gone.
Now on to my speech.
Valedictorian comes from a combination of Latin words that mean "to say goodbye." A valediction is a farewell or a leave-taking. So, appropriately, my speech is supposed to signal a parting of all graduates. As depressing as this sounds, it really is not wholly sad. As that song by Semisonic goes "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." So look at this as "the beginning of your future." As trite as that is, it's true. your time at Holy Cross is over, and you're about to start a new life. But just because that chapter in your life is closed doesn't mean that it won't effect you. On the contrary, Holy Cross has given you a solid foundation on which the rest of your life is built. I personally know that our class will succeed, because we've succeeded already.
During one of his Friday religion classes, Mr. Jones struck upon this theme when he was talking about good deeds. He said-"Never pass up a chance to do a good deed. We all want to change the world. But on our way up to changing the world, help people who need it now." He went on to say that "if someone is hungry, give them some bread. If someone is cold, give them a jacket. If someone needs a smile, then give them a smile. And if we do this, then by the time we get to the top, we will have changed the world already." This spirit embodies that of my class-we're all striving to succeed, to do well, to make a difference, when in fact while striving to achieve our goals, we reached our goals already. Every single member of the class has excelled, everyone, whether it is in sports, academics, clubs the arts, volunteering, or their church. Our class is overwhelmingly involved in the school as well as in the community. On our way to graduation-to succeeding-we've made a huge impact already.
Another way we've excelled is with each other. Our class is one of the closest, most unified classes to pass through Holy Cross. At our retreat at the beginning of this year, we made it our goal-our mission-to be unified. We all wanted to work together to be a model for the school and to fill our positions as leaders in the best possible way. We reached our goal. One example was that our whole class would pray together, in front of the cafeteria, before lunch. As far back as I can remember no other class has done anything like that.
We've grown closer as a class through our faith and our friendships. We rely on one another, trust one another, and respect one another. Never again in our lives will we be thrown together with a group like this-A group of our peers that shares years of memories, has the same level of understanding, comfort, and respect, and is held together by faith. We have been through so much and we stuck through it all. Whether it be new life, death, leaving, coming, sadness, and jubliation-we supported and encouraged one another the whole way through.
The same is true for the Holy Cross community at large. We're a family. And I know that you hear that all the time, but believe me there is a reason for that-its worth repeating. We're a family. For me, education at Holy Cross has really been like growing up in one big, extended, very lively family. The teachers watch you grow and mature just as they watched your siblings, and they'll do the same for those that come after you. Pick any teacher and any student at Holy Cross, and I promise you they can list at least four interesting facts about each other. We care about each other and look after one another. What other school do you know of where everyone has Prayer Partners? It helps to foster community. I can remember all of my prayer partners from the first grade to this year and at different times I know that I learned all of their favorite foods, what pets they had, their favorite things to do, who their friends were, and of course-their favorite color.
In my prayer partner this year, I see myself. I was once exactly like she was-young, inexpereinced and always looking up to those around me. Actually, I'm still like that. But when I see her, I know that she's got twelve fantastic years ahead of her, and she probably won't realize how amazing they will be until she's where I am now.
It has been a long journey, mine has been twelve years. Our class has come a long way. I remember elementary shcool when we lived in terror of steam coming out of Mrs. Schemmel's ears. We hit it big in the theater world when we performed Alice in Wonderland and back then the only thing that got us through the day was recess when we played soccer or basketball, or jumped rope. Middle school brought the dreaded and yearned for socials that grew to be blase' by the 8th grade. We learned that it really must hurt to get called a girl scout. We did our best not to get caught talking in the back of Mrs. Keefer's class and tried to stick as many metal things as possible in the sockets of Mr. Formo's room. Back then, we were still struggling to stay unified and thought that Mr. Garber was the only teacher that like our class. Then High School came onto the stage in a wave of basketball games and dances. Mat-ball was something to look forward to in gym, and team bus rides were always memorable. We revealed our dramatic side with theater and forensics, and showed our school spirit with every sport. We made sure that everyone knew that we are proud to be Gaels. Senior year came along with a lot of responsibility and ...a really fun retreat. Some of us are still feeling a tingling sensation in our hands or a throbbing in our temples, and we all learned to appreciate the song Hotel California a lot more. We made the most of the time we had in the senior lounge, whether it was playing "the floor is on fire" game, or playing with trolls and antibacterial gel. Religion classes grew a lot more interesting this year with our many debates in our attempt to gain a deeper understanding of our faith.
This year, we served as role models for the rest of the school. We strived to be united. We grew closer. Our bonds of faith grew stronger. We grew to embody what Holy Cross is all about: a family of faith that fosters learning, leadership, creativity, and charity, and that builds ties that cannot be broken. Mr. Jones once talked to our class about "giving seeds instead of a bouquet." For our class, the seeds have been planted, and we've already witnessed some of the fruit of our works.
I wish I could go through every member of our class and tell you how good a person he or she is, and let you in on some of the remarkable things they've accomplished, but to do them justice would take far too long and I've spoken too much as it is. So I'll save you the time and skip to what you would say to my class in reply, which is-Thank you for achieving, and striving to be better and thank you for the impact you've made at Holy Cross and in all of our lives. It really wouldn't be the same without you. And I would like to thank my class for the impact you've made on me. You've given me an incredible experience, which I will always cherish. I can't even begin to express my gratitude and all I can say is-
Thank you, to one of the finest classes Holy Cross has ever seen, the graduating class of 2006.
Salutatory Address
Given by Shane Morris
Good Afternoon and welcome family, friends, faculty, fellow students, and fellow classmates. The chance for us to gather together on this particular occasion will prove to be a memory that is forwever cherished as a highlight in the lives of each of my classmates as well as myself. All of you who have come in support of us, your presence today means nothing less than the world. Everyone of you is somehow responsible for allowing us to stand before you today as Holy Cross's 127th graduating class, and for that, words couldn't describe our appreciation. At this point, it would be customary for me to recite several quotes from outstanding writers urging my classmates to do something unique and different with their lives. While this is well and good, and would make for little effort on my part, I simply cannot do this. First and foremost, this would of course be hypocritical in itself and to the entire outline of my speech. Second, and more importantly, the impersonality of these quotes would certainly be a regression to the close attachments we have formed as a class. So instead, I'd like to share with you why I am confident beyond conviction that my classmates are euipped with the competence to do something unique and different.
To start, I really see the word "class" as an understatement. I look into the eyes of these people and I see more than acquaintance and familarity; I see friendship, I see passion, I see intimacy, and I see love. For every time we have shared a moment of happiness together, we have struggle through a time of hardship. For each success we have enjoyed, we have suffered a defeat to match. This kind of bond is much stronger than that of a class; it is that of a family. The comfort level we have with one another is almost un-nerving. While many high schoolers might find it difficult to be themselves around their peers, it's hard to find any trace of this in our class. Shared experiences are truly an influencing factor which we are able to connect. As with any family though, it is not always daisies and roses. We sometimes don't all get along with each other. Actually, for the most part, we'll find ourselves disagreeing more often that we find ourselves in agreement. But also as with any family, there's an underlying theme of selflessness that could never be destroyed. If any one of my classmates needed a hand, I can vouch personally that they would find more than they would know what to do with. Not many other kids graduating from high school have the opportunity to say this. In fact, any time I mention to someone from another school that I will be graduating together with just 27 classmates, the response is usually a laugh. I can't help but laugh either, because I know what a privilege it is that we have received.
I have spent the last ten years of my life at Holy Cross. I have made the long trek of adolescence and maturity wandering the halls of the elementary wing down the stairs to the halls of the high school. I've made this trek alongside this great group of individuals, whom I know I could not have made it without. Some had been here prior to my arrival at the school, and others have just recently been added to the family. Either way, the accumulation of wisdom and experience that has been imparted on us throughout the years is immeasurable. The knowledge and instruction we have been offered far exceeds that found in our textbooks. the school faculty goes to great lengths to ensure not just the development of our minds, but also the development of our hearts. We are taught not just how to be students that excel, but to be people that have the ability to motivate others to excel. Our school atmospehere is one of a shared vision in Christian unity and it can be sensed in every interaction that takes place within the school walls. These qualities are just a few among many and only serve to ignite both our learning and our curiosity. I know these same feelings resound in each of my classmates as well. A main critique of such a small school is that the environment doesn't allow for the necessary amount of diversity, but I couldn't disagree more. True diversity reaches even deeper than the physical veneer and grabs hold of individuality, discovers distinctive talents, and uncovers matchless imagination. I guarantee you there is a boundless amount of diversity in this graduating class. Holy Cross has planted seeds that are ripe with vigor, and seasoned with possibility.
The family-like relationship that we share as a class and the education that we have been given is something that will continue to impact and enrich my life in ways that I cannot begin to fathom. It is for these two reasons that I can say with full confidence, each person sitting in these first few rows before me has the ability to secure remarkable accomplishments, to achieve unknown heights, and to stand out in a society that is urging nothing more than conformity. I have sat beside each of you in class. I have had the pleasure of watching you grow to become the people you are today. Each of you is strong: strong in character, strong in mind, and strong in spirit. You are capable even beyond what you may believe to be your full potential. I see a bright future, and I see it shining in each of your eyes.
In an interesting way, Holy Cross can be seen as a rendezvous point for us as a class. We have all come here from our different directions and now, ironically, we will all be heading back off in separate ways, obviously more able and better prepared than when we first arrived. In his book "A Long Walk to Freedom" Nelson Mandela described his personal experience of working towards a goal and it seems an almost perfect way to clsoe. He wrote, "But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment." Let us take this moment of graduation to look back on the distance we have come. Let us take this moment to gather what we have gained from our prior journeys, so that we can use it to excel in our future ones. Class of 2006, take what you have gained, use it, and I promise, you will do great things.