2010 Valedictorian Speech

Thank you for gathering here today. It is my honor to give this speech.

Hillwood Academic Day School was the only school that gave me an opportunity to start kindergarten at four and a half year old. After graduating from preschool early, no other school would accept me. For that I am very grateful, and I have enjoyed these past nine years.

Students, think about how fortunate you are to have parents caring enough to send you to such a small private school, where everyone knows your name and you know everyone else's, where everyone and everything is familiar. For this thank not only your family, but also Hillwood's teachers, staff, and parent volunteers. May I have these people stand up please? Ms. Moorhead, director and founder of the school blog, The Hillwood Herald, Ms. Anna, our art teacher, Ms. Caine, Ms. Marta, who cooks our lunches, Senorita Lydia, our Spanish teacher, Ms. Schmitt, the chorus teacher, Miss Dawson, the K-1st grade teacher, Miss Tom, the 2nd-4th grade teacher, Mrs. Woods, the 5th-8th grade teacher, and Mrs. Grantz and Mr. Grantz for giving us the opportunity for an affordable private education. Give yourselves a pat on the back for making it through another year, and for trying your best, a habit that will surely continue, everyone. It is also from the support of family and friends that we have made it this far. Make their efforts worth it. Do your best not only for yourselves, but for them as well, who will be glad to see you succeed.

Good luck.

Thank you very much.

Thank you everyone for another wonderful year! If I did not mention any Hillwood staff members or volunteers at the actual graduation, it was because you were not there while I was giving the speech.

by Brigette W.