Sal Speech

A speech that Nashua North made me write/deliver:

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Good evening ladies and gentlemen, members of the faculty and administration, members of the school board, distinguished guests, family, friends, and fellow graduates. I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak today. However, I’ve wondered why I’m even addressing this community. I don’t exactly have training in inspirational or even public speaking, so just take these words as they are: the moody confused ramblings of a young, naïve teenager.

I hate high school. Or rather, I hate very specific things about high school. Waking up in the morning is dreadful. I hate that the senior parking lot is too far away from the main entrance, and that the junior parking lot has too many juniors in it. Walking from D3 to the cafeteria is just tiring. And lastly, only one third of our water fountains actually work. Nevertheless, I will always have a good memory of these past four years.

This is because high school is not defined by things that annoy you, or restrict your freedom. It is made up of the people you’ve met, the times you’ve shared, and the things you’ve accomplished. When we look back on our time here, we won’t remember nuisances writing endless essays, enduring countless hours of classes, or trying to find chairs in the cafeteria. We’ll remember experiences like joining a new club, qualifying for All-states, attending school dances or winning sports games.

All of this led me to one simple idea; learning isn’t restricted to the classroom environment. In fact, as most of us have found out this past month, you often don’t learn anything in the classroom. We are all still at an early point in our lives, with much to experience and encounter. When we expand our horizons, life suddenly becomes brighter, full of promise and hope. Each instance can be viewed as an opportunity to learn, to mature, or to just have fun.

For example, I hate waking up in the morning, but that teaches me discipline. I hate the two parking lots, but they teach me patience and tolerance. I hate walking across the school, but that gives me time to talk with my friends.

However, learning becomes meaningless if it isn’t used. We need to take these lessons from our past, and apply them to how we act today. Personally, I’ve learned not to pull fire alarms in the middle of snowstorms and not to bring grenades to school.

Anyways, we can probably gain the most from our relationships, especially those with teachers and faculty. They’ve made unmistakable footprints in our lives, as we go out today to make our own footprints on the world. I’d like to spend some time now to thank the people who have inspired me and put me where I am today, literally.

I'd like to thank Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Kimball for helping me evolve from a nerdy boy who liked math, to a nerdy boy who loves math.

I'd like to thank Coach Burns, for basically forcing me to go outside more.

I'd like to thank Mrs. Coleman, for teaching me how to write real good, and Mr. Freeman for teaching me to write real smart.

I'd like to thank my track team, especially Muite, Jahmar and Dre, for showing me the importance of teamwork.

And lastly, I’d like to thank all of you for waiting patiently for me to finish. Today is a day of celebration, so let us can learn from the past, enjoy the present, and look towards the future. There’s no need to hold grudges or be bitter, because each day overflows with opportunity to grow and explore. As important as high school is, it is these years to come that hold the most possibility and promise. So, let’s lighten up and soak up the sun. Congratulations and best of luck North Class of 2011.