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Dec
3
JULY 2007 VALEDICTORIAN
Filed Under Students
One year ago, my mind could not have handled the possibility of being where I am today. Graduating high school had already been eliminated from my future plans, and I had almost convinced myself I would be OK if I settled for the life I was leading. If I could have looked into the future to see myself standing here at this very moment, I’m not sure I could have believed what I would see. I never though my life could consist of success, sobriety, and even laughter and happiness.
I stand here today with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. As I slowly realized the end of my high school education was approaching, I was scared out of my mind. I did not expect to be graduating two years ahead of my class. In public school I had the comfort of knowing the exact date that I would be finished with a year of school. At Midwest Academy, i did it all on my own, without evening knowing exactly when or if I would be finished. I became worried over what life was going to be like outside the walls of Midwest. But as I can see now, being there better prepared me for life than an extra two years of high school could have.
I have learned to decide what I want, and how to get it. I have turned my stubbornness into determination. Now, I do not compromise who I am as a person. Everything I have learned has enabled me to become independent and aware of myself. The everyday practice of setting priorities and goals had given me a head start in life that some adults have still not found. I have learned to be aware of my boundaries without allowing them to limit me, and to respect the positions of those around me. But more than anything, I have learned who I am and to trust myself. I know I have the knowledge and the strength to do whatever it may take to accomplish my dreams. All of the hard work and tears that went into graduating not only high school but this program have paid off. Now I have the tools it takes to be successful in this world.
There is something indescribable about the power each one of us now holds. We have been on both sides of life. We know what it’s like to give up and surrender to what life has dealt us. However, we also know what it’s like to really work for something that’s going to change our lives and we know what it’s like to be genuinely happy. We can use our experiences to influence and change the lives of each person we come in contact with. The scariest part of this whole journey is now we can do anything we want. The only limitation is within our imaginations. Each of our lives now consists of infinite power, endless possibilities, and strong ambition. Our dreams can take us anywhere we desire. Without hesitation, we can each walk out of this building and take on the world
So that’s it!! We’ve made it!! “We’ve always had wings, and now we’re ready to fly!!” Congratulations class of July 2007!
Elyssa N.
Graduate Midwest Academy
Valedictorian July 2007
She presented this speech to the graduating class.