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2009 graduation speeches
Published June 15, 2009
Isamar Ortiz
Brazosport High School Salutatorian
Good evening, graduates, teachers and administrators of Brazosport High School, and good evening to all of you in the audience. It’s a Saturday night and I’m sure you can think of 10 different places you would rather be, especially with all these mosquitoes. Alas, we are all still here, each of us having to put up with the hemoglobin-slurping parasites the same as the next guy. Honestly, I can’t decide if these gowns are a blessing or a burden; sure, they may keep the mosquitoes at bay, but I must say the weather here is hotter than Hades.
Now, heat and bloodsucking pests aside, we have all come here to celebrate a very special moment in the lives of some 100-plus kids. Yes, it is our graduation night; the night the rest of our lives begin. Although I must admit, being handed an empty folder is a bit of a killjoy, but Mr. Boone, we love you anyway.
First off, I would like to say thank you to all the adults who put up with each of us over the years. Thank you to parents who stood by us no matter how hormonal we got and thank you to the teachers who had to deal with all of our drama, complaining and pleas for extra credit. You now you’ll miss us. I would also like to say thank you to friends. After all, high school would be especially boring without fellow lunatics to share the blood, sweat and tears. Lunatics such as A.J. Cisneros, who just wanted to get his name in this speech.
On a more personal note, I feel the need to say a very special thank you to my family. I don’t mean to sound cliché but without them, I really don’t know where I’d be. My parents are the best anyone could ever ask for: Hardworking, loving and always there for me. As for my brother, I don’t care what anyone says about him, he’s awesome — an amazing role model whom I’m proud to call “brother.” And then there’s my Mimi, one of wisest and strongest women I’ll ever know. I don’t know how she does it, but somehow she’s always right. Mom, Dad, Mim, I love you. God couldn’t have blessed me with a greater treasure.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, fellow classmates, we meet at the crossroads: one of the few times in life where the past, present and future collide. It’s hard to believe that four years of fun and games, I mean hard work and studying, have at last come to an end. But seniors, here we are. At last we’ve made it. Many of you are glad this night has finally come while others wish it hadn’t come so soon. Graduates of 2009, we are about to embark on a brand new journey, a whole new beginning awaits us. “And who knows, starting a new journey may not be so hard or maybe it has already begun,” KHII. Many of you have in fact already decided on your first steps, be it community college, a university or straight into the workforce, each of you are well on your way to the future you will become.
Funny thing about the future though. If you don’t make one for yourself, someone else will surely do it for you, as futurist Joel Barker once said. This is why I believe to be happy and successful you have to square with the past, live in the present and dream for tomorrow. That being said, I hope each and every one of you can walk away from tonight happy or at least satisfied with what you have accomplished over the past four years.
You see the future won’t wait for anyone. Don’t let life pass you by because you were too worried about the troubles of the past or even the present day. The past is for fond memories, not for regrets.
So what exactly makes up this time-space continuum we know as past, present and future? Let’s begin with the past. The past is a learning experience, a collection of lessons that you might not even realize you’ve learned until you find them useful in the present. The past is also the chance to look back on fun times and just laugh a little. There’s a reason why we never really forget anything we’ve experienced. On the other hand, the past shouldn’t be a crutch to lean on when you’re too afraid to face today, neither should it be a pool of disappointment in which to sink when times become difficult. My hope for each of you concerning the past is that you hold on to every good memory, let go of every unpleasant memory and live life with no regrets.
This leads me into my second point: The present. This one’s simple.
Every single day is truly a gift. Tomorrow doesn’t have to come; this is why we should take advantage of every moment we’re given. Remember, the present should never be considered a waste of time or just “another day.” My hope for you concerning the present is that you really live each day for what it’s worth and for all you’re worth.
Finally, on to the future. The future is indeed a novel idea and a rather frightening one at that.
Whether we like it or not, we’re all going to end up there. I know each of us can have a promising future, we just have to promise to work for it. All of us have proved our mettle thus far; otherwise we would not be here tonight. My hope for each and every one of us for the future is that we continue to prove ourselves so that the world can know what Brazosport’s class of 2009 is really made of.
Now, I’m sure many of you have heard the saying, “the future awaits.” I ask you, what is it waiting for? Have we not shown what we are capable of? I say indeed we have. Have we not proven we are strong? Again, I say we have. Have we not demonstrated that we have earned this night? We have. I stand here before you to tell you this: The future does not need to wait on us, ladies and gentlemen. For you see, we ARE the future.
Tonight’s graduation is just the beginning. We have the rest of our lives to prove just how great we can each be; to prove just how much we “love to shine.” This is why I continue to encourage all of you, not just fellow graduates, but every individual in the audience as well, to move on from yesterday and live in today, that way there will be no end to bright, shining tomorrow.
If you will, audience, join me in applause for you are in the proud presence of Brazosport’s graduating class of 2009.
We are the future and we are coming.
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Jessica Saldana
Brazosport High School valedictorian
Alright, everybody pull out your pillows and pajamas, the valedictorian is about to begin speaking. As is tradition, I’m about to make a speech that is intended to bring forth a flood of memories. But as isn’t in tradition, I’m about to do it in hyper speed.
Stopwatch ready? Here goes.
We survived the construction of a new building only minimally damaged. We used to eat mysterious potatoes in a gym and which we were introduced to macaroni Wednesday in. Marco threw someone out of a window. Mr. Senecal became my art father and Mrs. Wallace took us on the greatest field trip ever.
We went from watching Pokémon, Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Power Rangers, the Ninja Turtles and Batman to loitering at homecoming dances and football games. We’ve protested against immigration laws, saw snow in Freeport and we survived Ike, Rita and Katrina. We’ve also survived two principals, cancer and Mrs. Bailey’s tests. I’ve grown back my arm hair at long last, no thanks to Coach Brown.
The “Twilight” epidemic rendered girls vampire-crazy, coach Kaspar left and Mrs. McKey moved to Costa Rica and they were replaced with the Linders. Mrs. Linder, I love you.
Make me five orders of Italian creme cake and take me to Body World. Garrett, you’re ornery, Forrest, stop winning everything, and Fred, go to the office.
Owens, I want two hippos and a Coke. Class of 2010, I loves you. Coach Youngblood where are you?! Mrs. Bailey, marry me.
Why can’t every day be field day?
And last but not least, IT’S A CHICKEN SANDWHICH!
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Cristina Barrera
Angleton High School Valedictorian
Good evening. On behalf of the AHS class of 2009 I would like to thank all Angleton ISD faculty, administrators, family and friends for joining us on this special evening, as we would not be on this field without all of you. We are here today to honor our perseverance and dedication for the past 12 years of our lives. As a class, we have experienced many transitions, many obstacles and many historic events, both nationally and locally.
It has been a dramatic year with many ups and downs. We have lost fellow classmates. The city was panged by the destruction of Hurricane Ike. The near collapse of the economy and current recession has burdened many families with a far-reaching impact on all of our lives. The infamous H1N1 swine flu virus sent everyone into a panicked frenzy. And … sadly … the juniors ripped the senior’s sign to shreds at the TAKS pep rally. But with these deterring events came great changes in our history. In a memorable election, we witnessed the historical inauguration of the first African-American president of the United States, and we saw the first woman in the running for the Republican Party vice-presidential candidate. We also watched Michael Phelps snatch eight gold medals in the Olympic Games, setting multiple world records.
Even as a class, we have made history of our own. We were the last class to attend fifth grade at the elementary schools here in Angleton and the first sixth-grade class at the merged middle schools. Angleton High school’s athletic achievements this year have surpassed many classes before us, as most of our teams, both boys and girls, have won district titles throughout the year. Also this year, Angleton High School is proclaimed a state “Recognized” campus along with many additional academic achievements over the years. In addition, our class was victorious in the “battle of the flip-flops,” and, undoubtedly, we wore sandals for the entire year. If a small class from Angleton, Texas, can attain such feats over the past 12 years, imagine the possibilities for the future. In the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
Tonight is the end of long eventful journey. We can wave goodbye to hall passes, weeks of TAKS testing and random fire drills. Most importantly, we must thank our teachers as they are the people who have given us the education we need to unlock our individual future. Now it is our turn to prove to everybody sitting in this audience what we are capable of doing. As each of you receive your diploma tonight, acknowledge the beginning to the rest of your life rather than the end of an era.
We do not know what lies ahead of us; the future seems so distant. What we have, though, are the memories of us here in Angleton, Texas. And as the last class to graduate from Wildcat Stadium, we leave behind a legacy for the city to remember. Some of us may venture off into the world of college life, others will pack their bags to serve our country in the United States military, and others may directly enter the work force. Wherever you may go and whatever you may achieve, always remember your successes that brought you here tonight. Confucius advised that “wherever you go, go with all your heart.” There is more to come for each and every one of you. Congratulations, Class of 2009.
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Evan Rogers
Angleton High School Salutatorian
Good evening. You know, at first I thought I would bring my guitar up here and sing something for this occasion, but the sound system just is not suitable for that. Then I considered rapping my thoughts to you fine people out there, but I realized it wasn’t the appropriate action for me. So I decided to put my honest feelings forward to you on all that has occurred, everything that’s happening now and all that will soon pass for us.
A lot of remarkable things have happened while we, the class of 2009, have been here. We were the first class to go through the middle and intermediate school in Angleton. We survived the biggest false alarm in the history of Texas weather with Hurricane Rita, a real hit from Hurricane Ike, several administration changes, an astounding barrage of standardized testing and a most of us even survived Mr. Russo Calculus class.
This year the Purple Pride rose back to the top spot in the district with rankings of 1’s in marching and sight-reading contests, and it is with great joy that I say our 2008 Wildcat football team closed out this stadium with an inspiring rise to greatness. So … you can now say that we paved the way. Even now our softball team is up in Austin setting a standard for next years student-athletes; they won their semifinal game and will be playing for the state championship tomorrow. We are now the last class to use this stadium for graduation. We’ve made traditions that the classes to follow will keep. “Traditions of greatness,” just like the sign says.
Today is about the praise of those accomplishments both as individuals and as teams and the hope for the changes to come. So go ahead and cheer for your classmates, your friends and your family. Toot your air horns, fog horns and whatever else you guys in the stands brought. Shoot off the silly string which we all know you managed to sneak in. Just make sure you do it in between the names of my classmates. This is the day for reverence and celebration of what has happened and what is to come.
And what is to come? Some of us are heading off to college, others off to the military and others are off to join the work force. There is honor and dignity with each choice; and a hard worker is a person to be proud of whatever that person is working towards. Many of us will be far away from Angleton, but pursuing goals we are passionate about. Each one of us has our own path to make, but I have faith that remarkable things will undoubtedly come from the men and women from this class. God bless all of you.
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Taylor Stanley
Brazosport Christian School Valedictorian
Hello, my name is Taylor Stanley and I’d like to say that it’s an honor to represent the graduating class of 2009. It’s not every day that I get a chance to say whatever I want in front of hundreds of people, so I’m going to speak about something that will hopefully affect you beyond just tonight. The United States of America is perhaps the wealthiest nation on Earth. Even those who are considered to be in poverty in our nation eat better than much of the rest of the world. But, in case you haven’t noticed, our nation has recently been declining economically, morally and spiritually. Being a Christian in America has been reduced to attending a sermon once or twice each week, not committing any obvious crimes, and maybe even tithing or donating to a good organization or church. Despite what the Bible tells us, most of us tend to do one of two things: Either we compare ourselves to those around us to convince ourselves that we are good, or we are so confident in God’s grace that we live however we please. To be honest, I’ve been back and forth between these two perspectives, and sometimes I lose sight of who I am called to live for.
I) Parable of the Rich Young Ruler:
I’d like to share with you a story from the Bible about a rich young ruler. It’s found in Luke 18:18-27.
A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
II) American Christianity:
The rich young ruler in this story talked about following God, but when it came time to really do it, he ended up choosing to keep his possessions rather than give them up to follow Jesus. Any one of us can place ourselves in the shoes of the ruler in that story. When I did this myself, and was completely honest about it, I realized that often I am not willing to let go of my belongings, my loved ones and mainly, my pride.
There is nothing wrong with having material wealth, but when we become proud about it, and we focus on it more than what’s important, it becomes bad. My pride has made bad what was once good, so that my wealth is a curse. The blessings that God has given me have piled so high that sometimes I can’t see past them to the one that provided them. In America today, I sadly believe it is safe to say that most people who call themselves Christians would also be unwilling to leave everything to seek God. I’m not saying that everyone who struggles with this decision is hell-bound, but I am saying that as a nation, we need a change of heart.
And that change starts with just a few people who are willing to give up what they cannot keep to gain what they cannot lose. God said that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
III) Challenge:
Our nation needs people who live for God. We need pastors who will preach the truth, businessmen who will work with integrity, athletic trainers who will help others take care of the bodies God has given them, engineers who will share Christ in the workplace, doctors and nurses who will care for and love their patients, political leaders who will be honest in leading our nation, inventors who will think of new ways to help further the Kingdom of God, mothers who will love their children, and fathers who will love, provide for and stay with their families. Whatever God calls you to do, do it with all your heart.
So to the class of 2009, I encourage you to seek God’s face as you go off to college. I pray that you would not forget what your parents and teachers have taught you. I beg you to not put your faith in your own good deeds, but to fully rely on God. I plead with you to not get caught up in religious obligation, but to simply love Christ. I challenge you to be part of a generation of strong men and women who love the Lord and who will be willing to give up anything to follow Jesus.
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