Standing here today reminds me of our class’s first real visit to the high school on our step-up day. We sat in the gym and listened to Mr. Crocker explain to us the benefits and privileges of being in high school ... which was great and all, but there was really only one thing that stuck with me. He said that our high school journey would go by in a flash and that the daunting four years ahead of us would fly by. With everything that happened during our high school career, at times, it felt like the school year was dragging on, but looking back at the last four years of high school, time has appeared to zip by, especially this year.

To be honest I am at the point where I don’t even remember applying for colleges. Anyways, the point is that though the underclassmen may feel like their school years are dragging along, I am witness to the miraculous time traveling that happens up until graduation. I would tell everyone, even parents, to live in this moment with their kids and enjoy all four years, though tough, they are fleeting!

Well, thinking back to the part of my senior year I do remember ... the continuation of Grace bombarding me with the update on the days counting down to graduation. Now, I must admit that she was very respectful and did not tell me when I told her, time and time again, that I didn’t want to know; however, she was so excited every day to share the update that she told many other students, many who weren’t even seniors, and eventually the news would get back to me from the other people. It had gotten to the point where Grace would ask me if I wanted to see the number of days left and I would
say no, but then my math-oriented brain would start trying to figure it out itself and I had to shut those thoughts down.

My dad reminded me yesterday that if I hadn’t ended up in the Boothbay Region School System that I wouldn’t have been able to experience the tremendous amount of love, support, kindness, and passion that our teachers put into their jobs and the material they teach. I want to thank all of the teachers I have had from Mrs. Johnson to Mrs. Parkhurst from Mrs. Anthony to Mrs. Graham and most recently from Mr. Gorey to Mr. Powell to Miss Mil. I also want to thank every other teacher in our school system whether they helped me in Edgecomb or haven’t had me as a student because you matter and impact others students for the better and for that I am thankful.

Parents and families here today also deserve to be thanked. They put us where we needed to be and let us flourish! I know that my family across the board has pushed me to where I am today ... standing in front of you all delivering my class’s Valedictorian speech. I love and cherish everyone, family, friends, and teachers, who have come and gone during my journey and especially those who have stuck on for the ride!

I am so attached to this school and this community, that when the 23 days of May gifts began I started putting them straight into my locker. And being so stressed about leaving, I created a conspiracy theory that if I were to use or eat any of the gifts that in that very moment would symbolize my departure from this school. I have had popcorn from the local popcorn shop in my locker since the first day of May and I honestly started eating from Grace’s popcorn which she wasn’t too happy about because I was so compelled to hold on to this school. Throughout this delusion, I tried to ask myself why I wanted to stay here and also compel myself to purposely fail a class, so I could stay back another year. I landed on the conclusion that it really wasn’t about the school itself, but the people in it and the
town that surrounds it.

During my senior year of high school, I have connected with many people and heard their stories of hard times and bounce backs and it has been inspiring. I love all the students and their interesting quirks. I love the teachers and all the different things they get super excited about for no reason. I wanted to stay in this environment forever, but I know that we all need to pursue our different strengths, and for some seniors, this is their chance to find an environment that suits them. I can’t wait to see our students in different trades: fixing cars and doing hair and being happy. I can’t wait for all of our amazing health-inspired students to save lives and help others. I can’t wait for all of our seniors chasing a bachelor’s degree or more to choose what career path they want to go down.

I have come to reckon with the fact that I need to also be excited for my next steps too. As much as I love our Boothbay community, I must “leave the nest” “Am I right Mr. Gorey?” Oh, he loves when I use cliches!

If I am gonna leave this school I have a couple of requests for our underclassmen and upperclassmen. I want you to continue to push boundaries and pursue your passions. I want you to continue to make the school a welcoming and safe space for everyone. I mean you should probably join a couple more clubs to add to those college applications too. And most importantly ...  I need you to watch over these teachers because they can get out of control!

I’m gonna miss everyone! I mean I’m going to miss Winter Carnival or should I say, Spring Fling! I think we all had a little too much fun with the drunk goggles on doing the drunk-driving simulator, so maybe we should hold off on that next year. I am going to miss Mr. Powell’s impeccable ability to not see our hands raised when we are right in front of him. I am going to miss the chaos and panic before the first performance of each play next year. I am going to miss writing 20-page essays for Mr. Gorey ... well, maybe I got a little carried away there.

Despite the inevitable ending of our class’s high school careers, we are “starting new chapters of our lives!” “Come Mr. Gorey you liked that one it was pretty classic you have to admit!”

Well... I guess there is no better time than now to open this up! (Pulls out the bag of popcorn.). How bad could it be? It has only been in my locker for roughly 39 days? Takes a bite. Well, it just tastes a little stale.

“Better late than never!” “Right Mr. Gorey?”