As the month of June flies by, BoardBuzz is taking time out to recognize the exciting achievements of the class of 2009. Graduating seniors everywhere have been offering reflections on their past thirteen years of schooling before they prepare for their next big journeys. And as one who always loves a happy ending, we just had to share!
A student in Canton, Massachusetts found inspiration for her humorous graduation speech in the school cafeteria. Senior Class President Lauren Cortizo fondly recalled her last days at Canton High School, when she ordered a serving of buffalo chicken wraps, The Canton Journal reports. “I inhaled both chicken wraps, and exhaled glory,” she said. “I learned that day that anything is possible.”
Another graduate from Granite Bay High School in Rosewood, California, credits “the best four years of her life” to her compassionate classmates and her therapy dog, Wella, she writes in a special article to The Press Tribune. Kiersten Schmidt, who suffers from autism, says that the Labrador retriever provided her with the companionship and confidence to break the ice with her new classmates. Sophomore year, Schmidt joined the student government and became close with the members and faculty advisors. They are “definitely some of the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever known,” Schmidt says.
Derrick Johnson from Piscataway High School in New Jersey says that the fact that he has made it to graduation is somewhat of a miracle, the Star-Ledger reports. The 19-year old was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia at age 7 and fought an uphill battle against the disease for much of his school career. Johnson has found courage and inspiration in this journey. “I can conquer and do whatever I put my mind to,” he said. “I conquered everything else. What else can I do?”
BoardBuzz is proud of the accomplishments and enthusiasm of each of these graduates, as well as countless others across the country, and wishes them well as they make their way into the world. We often hear from school board members that graduation is one of the most inspiring and exciting duties they get to perform — and we agree!
What words of wisdom have graduates from your district shared with you? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
