(tap tap) Is this thing on? Just kidding, I knew it was on. I’m just awkward and couldn’t figure out how else to start this. I suppose a normal thing to say would be Good evening to all of you: my academic adjudicators, my friends out there in the audience, who I feel so bad for because now that I am leaving my parents are officially done paying them to hang out with me, my family who I feel happy for because they are now going to save so much money, yay maybe now we can pay for college!, [private]
my amazing community members, and of course, the wonderful Class of 2016 sitting behind me.
So there were many different ways that I have considered going about this… I could start off with a nice little poem, rhyme my way through everyone’s hearts. Something like…
Graduation day is finally here,
And so now ends your high school career.
Always remember the friends you hold dear,
And look toward your future without any fear.
But I decided that may be too cheesy for such a profound event.
(Miranda voice) Or I could talk in a funny voice, but my dad told me not to be annoying. I could even sing a song, but my mom told me not to be annoying.
Or maybe I could be inspiring and motivational, as if I were trying to bring about social change. You know, like try to get someone high up like the governor to help out our community… but I’m just no good at that.
I suppose I could get rowdy, try to bring back some memories from the zoo. (YOU CAN’T DO THAT FROM ZOO) Welp, I guess I can’t do that.
My last option here I guess is to break out in song and dance, but I really didn’t prepare well enough for this. So we’re just gonna get to the point. Anyway,
We’re All In This Together… (cue music) (Look back and forth) Okay. But seriously, no games, I came to the conclusion that despite the fabulous methods I have just listed, the very best way to go about this is to just be me, and speak from the heart. As well as google a bunch of different graduation speeches and hope to find some sort of inspiration.
#unsuccessful Which by the way, were almost all speeches from BOYs so I decided that today we’re gonna have to change that.
The typical thoughts that come to mind when one thinks about their days in high school are pretty generic across the boards: Friday night football games. Homecoming. Severe procrastination skills. Cafeteria food – which I might add, I will truly miss. Bread bowl with meat, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and even that brown stuff that nobody knows what it is hits the spot. The truth’s out everyone: it’s refried beans! And it’s good! Don’t be wimps, take some chances.
Anyway. These are all awesome, but all very much the same among high schoolers across the country. But lucky for me and the 90 some-odd seniors behind me, we went to this special little place called Hoosick Falls Central School where our experience was unique to say the least. Our memories consist of state championships and sectional titles across the boards where everyone in the community is able to come together and celebrate, allowing you to truly appreciate the family that comes with living in a small town. We can remember Mrs. Hoag teaching everyone how to sing the quadratic formula loud and clear (sing it) and then having Mr. Ossont teach us to never sing that song again in front of him. We’ve heard plenty of “Yee yee”’s in the hallways as well as mindfulness bells ringing on and on in your head. We have Beard Offs, and senior skits, and dodgeball tournaments, and corn hole tournaments, with faculty and staff who do everything they can just for us to have a good time. It’s incredible. I even have a little story to tell. As many of you know, the seniors got together this year and decided to have a fun last week of school, pulling mini pranks on the school each day. For the last Friday, we planned to put alarm clocks in our lockers and set them off all at the same time to cause a huge ruckus. So, because this could cause some chaos and possibly death, we decided we should get permission first. I texted Mr. Facin asking if it would be okay to do such a thing, and he responded, and I quote: “Intriguing for me to ponder. May I suggest the beginning of 9th period mindfulness?” Like what? He’s our superintendent giving us advice to completely disrupt the school! You don’t see that often folks. I’d just like to thank all of the teachers, administration, and maintenance for being so supportive and easy going of all of our crazy antics. A place like Hoosick Falls with people like Mrs. Danforth and Mr. Coffey and Mr. Baker really is something to be thankful for.
Tonight is the night that everything becomes very real. For a while now, my friends and I have been talking, saying how much we love each other and how much we are truly going to miss each other, and before things get too emotional, I always say, “Not yet! Not yet!” This is not the time to talk about this. And it’s just weird to think that the time to talk about it is now. So here is where we get emotional.
Now I don’t know about all the senior classes before me, but what I do know is that this senior class is something special. We’re a group of people who genuinely likes one another and enjoys each other’s company. We make plans to go out to dinner and have campfires with as many of us as possible. We tell stories and trust one another. At this year’s senior ball, all of the seniors got in one big huddle, holding each other as we sang at the top of our lungs to our unofficial class song, “Don’t Stop Believing”. It was a moment that was so magical and special that it makes it so difficult to describe fully. Looking back at my high school career, it is moments like those that will define us and that I know I will always remember. I love Hoosick Falls, and it is because of the people that I am so fortunate to have been able to call friends along the way. So if I were to leave you all with a piece of advice, I would definitely say that what you remember most about high school is not what the latest gossip is or how many likes you got on your selfie (although I would like to point out strictly for political purposes: 251 is my highest. Follow me) high school and life in general is about relationships; the special bonds that you form with everyone you meet. Because that is what people will remember you by. So take lots of pictures with lots of friends, but remember to put your phone down every once in a while and simply live in the moment.
So with all of those special moments, does that mean that it is simply time to pack them up and throw them in the back of the closet, completely saying goodbye to Hoosick Falls Central School? There’s a lot of talk around graduation, like “I guess this is it” and “I’ll never see you guys again.” Well you wanna know what I say to that? In the words of Catherine Whitman, that’s a load of horse pucky. I mean Heidi and I already have plans to be old ladies in rocking chairs, making fun of all the other old ladies that we steal their pudding from without them noticing. Let the good times roll on because I know that it is the friends that I have made here at Hoosick Falls Central School that are the friends that will last a lifetime.
I can’t wait to grow up and watch Olivia Cushman become an FBI agent traveling the world and see Ryan Condo be this hot shot movie screenwriter. We’ve got some awesome people in our class with some big dreams, and with our smarts, talents, and good looks, the world is our oyster. Watch out world, the class of 2016 is coming for you.
To my fellow seniors, I would like to extend some quick words of wisdom. Never underestimate the impact that you as an individual can have on other people and even the world. Connect, care, and be an agent of change. Live life to the fullest, and always believe in yourself and believe in your own potential to follow your dreams. As wise philosopher and leader Peter Pan once said, “All you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust.”
Thank you to my teachers and the staff who have so willingly helped me and made personal relationships with me no matter how annoying my questions may have been or how long I may have taken on your test. Thank you to the amazing people of our Hoosick Falls community who have supported me and my classmates in all that we do. Thank you to my parents, Todd and Heather Wysocki, and grandparents and family members who have loved me unconditionally and have allowed me to grow into my own person. Thank you to my friends and my sister Grace who made me mention her. I don’t know where or who I would be without you all. And thank you to the class of 2016. It’s been an unforgettable ride, but we made it. I love you all. But today we say peace out Hoosick Falls, and hello to the opportunities ahead. With the pixie dust that this place has given us, we will undoubtedly do great things. Thank you.[/private]