- Good afternoon peers, teachers and parents.
For all of us here,
today may seem like the end of a story;
a conclusion to the 10 years of work
we've put in here at elementary school.
However, I see today as the end of a chapter.
There's still so much to look forward to,
but before we turn the page, let's take a look back
on the last 10 years of our lives.
When we started school, we were dropped
into a whole new place.
Everything was different from what we knew at home.
In kindergarten, we got a grasp of things,
new friendships formed,
and we started on our journey through school.
Looking back on it,
we had it really easy in the beginning.
We listened to stories, drew, played games,
and enjoyed the ignorance of early childhood.
Then first grade hit.
Math, spelling, science concepts,
everything got a hundred times more complicated.
Yet somehow at such a young age,
we adapted to these changes
and started taking on more responsibilities.
Through the primary grades, we encountered more tests,
projects, and the dreaded EQAO.
(audience laughs)
Everyone got to know each other at this point,
so friendships became stable
and we could actually rely on one another.
But really at this point,
we only cared about cool math games.
(audience laughs)
By the end of grade three,
we were the champions of primary grades.
We had it all figured out and it was smooth sailing,
but nothing gold can stay.
Eventually, we moved on to the junior grades
and it was like going back to square one.
New teachers, new people, a new yard.
In the immortal words of Will Smith,
life is flipped turned upside down.
(audience laughs)
Luckily, we were able to make sense of it
and through that, I believe we learned independence.
I have some great memories from those times,
like building snow forts or a trip to Saunders Farm.
However great those memories are,
I still remember the strange things
that happened around this time.
Like when I found a potato growing in my desk.
(audience laughs)
The junior years were probably some of the best
because we learned so many essential skills.
For example, problem-solving, critical thinking,
and always going above and beyond.
Without these skills, we would have struggled
a lot going forth.
(speaks foreign language)
The junior years were particularly important to me
because I grew a lot as a person
and really came out of my shell during this time.
If I were to tell my past self
that I'd be doing a valedictorian speech
in a couple of years, I would have had a heart attack.
(audience laughs)
By the end of grade six, we were the champions once again.
We had endured and thrived through the junior years.
However, there is still a ways to go.
(speaks foreign language)
Once again, everything changed.
But, this time, we could adapt in the blink of an eye
because of the knowledge and skills that we've developed.
In my opinion, these last two years flew by.
Sure, there was more responsibility,
but there was also more freedom.
In these last few years,
we were given far more opportunities
to explore and put ourselves out there
through speeches, track and field, morning announcements,
band, and many other great activities.
Also, who can forget things like the ski trips
or our favorite DJ, Rake?
(audience laughs)
When I look back on who I was,
not even when I started elementary school,
but when I started grade seven,
I've come such a long way and I think that
all of today's graduates can relate.
So let's take today to acknowledge
that we are the champions.
(speaks foreign language)
We've conquered procrastination, stage fright, discipline,
and countless other beasts
over our time here at Fallingbrook.
In a few months we're going to face the largest changes yet,
and I won't lie I'm pretty anxious.
I'm excited to be able to pick my classes
and make new friends
but it's all still a bit nerve-racking.
When I get more nervous about high school than excited
I like to think about how we've adapted in the past.
We've faced new changes and challenges
every year for a decade
and we've come through every single time.
It's important to recognize all the people
that helped get us through today.
Thank you so much to the teachers, principals,
daycare providers, and other staff members who formed us
into the people we are in such a fundamental way.
Thank you to our parents and family who've supported us
along the way and helped us with homework,
even if they didn't fully understand it.
(audience laughs)
And finally, thank you to all the friends
who gave us a reason to laugh no matter what
we were going through.
I'd like to leave you with a quote from Mark Twain.
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, dream, discover."
Thank you.
(exuberant applause)
(gentle music)