Valedictorian Speech
Class of 2008

Good evening Bishop Cote, Father Tito, Mother Anthony, Professor Reyes (Rae-gaes), Sister Loreto, Members of the Board, Faculty, parents, friends, relatives, and Class of 2008.

It is an honor for me to stand before you tonight as the valedictorian of the class of 2008. There are so many things I could say as we graduate from the Academy tonight and move on to our futures. I have been reflecting on the parting words I should use and many ideas have come to mind. I feel that these words best express today’s ceremonial proceedings. In life we take pride in our earthy accomplishments-getting good grades, earning a raise, buying a big house, and of course, winning American Idol, but what we are celebrating here tonight is so much more than this. We are celebrating our graduation, but in a spirit of gratitude and kindness. We realize we did not arrive at this moment on our own. I would like to say some words of gratitude and emphasize my appreciation of the kindness I have seen shown at the Academy since my first days as a freshmen.

First, on behalf of the class of 2008, I want to thank our teachers for your patience, love, and sense of humor shared while imparting your gifts of knowledge to us. I am certain that at times we seemed lost, but thanks to your persistence all of us found a way to learn. Your consistent kindness has given us a wonderful example of how to live our own lives everyday. One thing I learned solidly is to never count on a snow day to catch up on assignments due the next day. Inevitably school will not be cancelled when you owe assigned work.

To Sister Loreto, thank you for your smiles and for letting us know that you were always in our corner. You are optimistic and your firm but gentle manner kept us all on the right path.

Certainly, families-dear mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, sibling and other family members, we must thank you for being a good example, support and inspiration. In the future, we hope to repay you for your generosity, until then we ask for God to do so.

Class of 2008, each one of us helped all of us to make it to this momentous night. Our class has a wide range of talents. We have creative artists, talented actresses, strong athletes, intellectual scholars, great dressers, outstanding singers, and an immense amount of kindness in all of us. Through our years together we have become more like sisters than classmates, sharing with each other our hopes and dreams with all of us hoping the best for each other. We have been fortunate to attend the Academy of the Holy Family where we are allowed to pray at all times in all things. There is a saying that the family that prays together stays together, and I am quite sure that all of us have received the strength of God to support one another through good and bad times always with compassionate dispositions.

As we leave today many paths lay before us. We will have help from those around us but in the end must choose which path to take. Though we do not know what challenges we will have to face along the way, be there hills or mountains in our paths, with prayer, determination and faith in God we will reach our goals. At times, it will be difficult to climb your mountains. You may fall and see your goal as unattainable that is when you must stand and continue. Do not lose sight of your aspirations for when you reach the summit you will reap the rewards. You will be a stronger and braver person-willing to take on seemingly impossible challenges and worthy of admiration.

As for my appreciation of kindness, I would like to end with a quote from Mother Teresa that I feel is an excellent motto that AHF exhibits. “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”  This is how I have come to view our class as a whole. We always try to brighten people’s days even if it is with something simple like a smile or a friendly hello. With God’s constant help we will able to be His examples of kindness on earth today and bring His joy into the lives of everyone around us on our journey. God bless you all in you endeavors. Always remember to Dream big!