senior year: graduation

To end a week of nothing but smiles, surprises, and pure happiness, I walked across a stage in front hundreds of people to receive my diploma. 

And not only that, but I got to deliver a valedictory address that I am incredibly proud of...

To the bishop and superintendent

Priests, faculty, and staff,

Parents, family, and friends

And to my fellow graduates...

When asked to write this speech, I felt like I should leave you with something important, with words that matter and not just fluff thrown together the night before. In searching for meaning behind my words, I chose to share with you a few things I find to be true, in the hopes that maybe a piece of this will weigh upon your hearts.

(Growth.)

We have grown here. whether you’ve been a part of this journey since k-4 or junior year, we’ve grown together

In knowledge

In friendship

In maturity

As people.

We have aimed to get the grades, make the touchdowns, and score the winning goals. We’ve aimed to be better and work harder. And now it seems that our work here is finally complete.

(Outgrow.)

However, while all these things have gotten us to this point, they do not define us. What defines us is what we do after this point with our accomplishments in hand and the knowledge and support we have been given.

We have so much left to learn, and life has so much left to teach us; lessons that can’t be learned here.

It’s time to move on from this place with the memories we cherish and the love of the people we hold dear.

And I quote “I am the combined efforts of everyone I’ve ever known.”

It is in this way that we will continue to carry each other and our experiences along this journey of life. It is the only way we know how because these people are a part of who we are.

(Continued Growth.)

So as you continue to grow, remember to shed light on the people you meet. Leave them a little better than when you came. Be generous with your smiles, and remember that kindness costs you nothing.  

Truly, we’ve been given an opportunity, a gift to be whoever we want to be as long as we’re willing to fight for the life we want to live. Lives full of service. Love.  Determination. Hope. And the most genuine happiness.

I was recently asked the question, “What is the good life?” And I can’t answer that for everyone in this room, I can barely answer it for myself. But, if there’s one thing I can leave with you all, is to not shy away from the tough questions. Because usually, the answers to those questions are the ones that matter, and to seek out your good life whatever it may be.

To end I’d like to bring to mind a scripture.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 reads, “There is a time for everything,

   and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

   a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

   a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

   a time to mourn and a time to dance”

And this is our time, Class of 2017, the time where we figure out who we are beyond these hallways.

We must remember that life is short, something my dear friend Morgan Parker Jones knew all too well. It is too short not to take the lessons we have learned in high school with us as we enter into adulthood. It is too short not to take chances and to make mistakes.

We must do as much as we possibly can with the time we have been given. Don't long for the past. But look with hope and press forward towards the future.  

I believe that this change, this future, is not something to be feared. If anything, we should welcome it with open arms.

So it is with my arms outstretched that I say, congratulations my fellow graduates, we’ve survived high school. And the best is yet to come.

Thank you.

High school was a ride. A rollercoaster of sorts. It was full of ups and downs. Sharp turns and unexpected twists. But for the things it taught me and the person it helped me to become, it was worth every second.

WATCH MY SPEECH BY CLICKING HERE!

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last day of high school

Today's the day. Well, the almost day. It's my last day of high school. The day that means I've completed enough courses to earn a diploma, to participate in graduation.

I feel excited, relieved, exhilarated, shocked, and nostalgic. I'm in disbelief. I don't know how to feel, yet I feel everything all at once. I've been waiting for this day for so long. I've been killing myself to get to this point. And now, it's here.

I'm actually finished with high school. I basically have a diploma in my hand. And it doesn't feel real.

On my last day before winter break a few years back, I posted something on Facebook that my mom teased me about. It was right after my last semester exam. Math to be more specific. And I struggle with math.

The post was along the lines of "I'm finally free." Though, I'm sure a ton of emojis were throw in there too. But my point is that no matter what my mother said to tease me, I didn't regret the post, and I didn't take it down. Matter of fact, I couldn't stop smiling. Because it was true. I was free.

I AM FREE. 

Don't get me wrong, high school has been an experience. One that, despite my lack of sadness upon leaving, I didn't take for granted. I am grateful for what it has taught me. The things I've discovered in and out the classroom.

So today, I cleaned out my locker and closed it with one final slam. All I took with me was a single binder filled with blank looseleaf and countless memories.

There was a quote that hung in my locker. It reminded me to remember the journey that has gotten me to this point. Everything has led up to this. A day that I never thought would actually arrive.

"It always seems impossible until it's done."

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Dear Ma,

Dear Ma,

Here's to you.
On your day.
Mother's Day.

Here's to your secret selfies.
Your ever-present sweet tooth.
Your "non-existent" snoring.
Your low ponytails.
Your morning workouts.
Your shoe collection.
Your constant tardiness.

And everything else that makes you, you.

Thanks for the pep talks.
The endless memories.
The selfless sacrifices.

For being my biggest fan.
For rarely saying "I told you so."
For just being "Ma."

But you're more than a mother.

You're a friend.

A shoulder to cry on.
A hand to hold.
A voice of reason.

With you, I rant.
With you, I cry.
With you, I laugh.
With you, I smile.

You're there on the best days and the worst.
You go along with my wild imagination.
You never shut down my dreams.
You allow me to be myself.

You've helped grow me into the best version of myself.

And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

Love you always & forever,

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