Graduation
Lauren Loock
Well, here we are, ready to Graduate. For some here today, you are here because you worked long into the night, making every aspect of your homework perfect and precise. You know who you are, because you have many multi-colored cords around your neck, as well as high honors and stature. For others, you’re here because you barely got that F up in accounting two days ago, and probably let your high school years slip by with the bare minimum work, and a lot of sucking up. The way you got here, however, is not important at this moment. The important thing is that you’re here, among your peers, in a maroon gown to the floor and a square hat on your head. You’re here ready to take your last steps of high school, and first steps of adulthood. You are here because of YOUR personal effort and ambitions- whether great or small. You’re here as the graduating class of 2011. What an accomplishment! Congratulations to each and every one of you!
It seems like yesterday that we were in kindergarten- young and naïve, not having to worry about college, or stress about GPA’s. Those were the days when the biggest things to worry about were making friends, being happy, following the basic class rules, and what we were going to have for lunch. Now we’re graduating seniors, seeing the world in a completely different light, but some things won’t change. We’re going into the world, to meet new people and create new memories. We’re becoming responsible for our own actions, and learning how to make the best of bad situations by having a happy attitude through the worst. We are each becoming our own independent person, and as our unique situations will vary so will out understanding of rules and what’s right or wrong. And most importantly, for the majority of us, we will have to worry about what we’re going to fix ourselves for lunch, or lack thereof. So you see, not much is going to change- really we’re all just going to be a bunch of big kindergartners out in this big world.
Really though, this is a time to be proud of yourself. Although our graduating class may be large, it’s because of you as an individual for making the effort to be great. And we ARE great! We’re Vikings!! We are leaving behind our legacy, whether it lies in sports, music, academics, or all of the above. This last year will forever remain in our memories as being OUR senior year and no one can take that away from us. It’s the memories we’ve gained, and friendships we’ve strengthened that are going to help us take off into our dreams. I know you all have dreams. Heck, even I have dreams! It’s time now to take those dreams, add some dedication, and make something of yourself. Eleanor Roosevelt says “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Dreams are attainable, and when is there a better time to to jump into it then your high school graduation. So do as Roosevelt says and believe in your dreams and believe in yourself, and soon you will find yourself living the life you've longed to live. Yes, to have me standing up here preaching about dreams isn’t very unique, and may come across as cheesy, But when I think about the future and each of you, I think about just that; dreams.
So here you are on your graduation day, the start of your future. I’d love to get up here and give you some wise advice, but I realize that that wouldn’t be the smartest thing seeing as I’m that one who barely passed accounting. However, I know each of you, and I know most of your dreams- I see them in your lives as you express them through sports, the arts, school, or just being the best person you can be. Senior class of 2011, I wish you the best. Start a new chapter in your book, turn over a new leaf, become reborn- however you express it, this is the time to start a new life. Take what you’ve learned from the past four years of high school, and apply it to the future. You might think as you move forward that there’s no looking back. I advise you to disregard that. Look back at the memories from Viewmont High School, then take what you learned and achieve your dreams. Don’t be afraid to dream, Class of 2011—“Dream as if you’ll live forever, Live as if you’ll die today.” James Dean said it right in that quote, and to expand on it, I’d probably say it wrong. So instead, I’m just thank you for the past, congratulate you for the present, and wish you luck for the future. We did it!!
So here you are on your graduation day, the start of your future. I’d love to get up here and give you some wise advice, but I realize that that wouldn’t be the smartest thing seeing as I’m that one who barely passed accounting. However, I know each of you, and I know most of your dreams- I see them in your lives as you express them through sports, the arts, school, or just being the best person you can be. Senior class of 2011, I wish you the best. Start a new chapter in your book, turn over a new leaf, become reborn- however you express it, this is the time to start a new life. Take what you’ve learned from the past four years of high school, and apply it to the future. You might think as you move forward that there’s no looking back. I advise you to disregard that. Look back at the memories from Viewmont High School, then take what you learned and achieve your dreams. Don’t be afraid to dream, Class of 2011—“Dream as if you’ll live forever, Live as if you’ll die today.” James Dean said it right in that quote, and to expand on it, I’d probably say it wrong. So instead, I’m just thank you for the past, congratulate you for the present, and wish you luck for the future. We did it!!
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