Lawrence High School Graduation – May 31, 2019
Good evening friends, teachers, administrators, and parents! Welcome to graduation 2019!
First of all, I would like to thank Principal Acosta, for giving me the honor of speaking on behalf of the graduating class of International High School. I would also like to thank all my teachers, especially those who were strict with their classes, like Mr. Vera, Mrs. Defelice and Mrs. Cartwright. Although everyone complained about how hard those classes were, they taught us that the more difficult something is, the bigger the achievements are. Thanks to Mr. Cruz and Miss Fiato for being our therapists with all our problems of adolescence, and they were so many of them. Thanks especially to all my classmates for all those beautiful moments that we have shared that are memories that will not be forgotten.
Wow! The time has passed so fast! I remember as if it were yesterday… my first day of class. I was so afraid because in September 2017 I immigrated to this country. I did not know English and I was worried about the humiliation I could face for being different and not being able to speak English – in fact, all the fears that immigrants have when they are in a new country. However, all my fears disappeared when I started at INT. My teachers were the best that have happened to me. They are very loving and understanding with all their students. And my classmates were the craziest and funniest people I have ever met in my life.
And I am not going to say that high school was easy, in reality, high school was very stressful at times but, good and bad, I will always remember this place. While my experience here was short, every problem and fear I have overcome has been because someone has been there to help me. I have had support from my parents, my teachers and my friends. Some of those teachers have sacrificed their free time for helping us with the whole process of being a senior. I would like to say thank you to Mr. Pichardo, Mrs. Defelice, Mr. Barahona and Mr. Cruz- thank you very much.
Seniors, now we are graduating. What is next? I will be going to college, as will many of my classmates. Others may get right to work, or even take a year or more off to decide what they want to do. Leaving high school is such a brutal transition, as Principal Acosta said several times, that we do not know what the world has in store for any of us.
I know that there will be many challenges for us from today on, but I am confident that we will deal with those challenges, by using the skills and information we have learned here. It all comes down to the fact that we are not alone. We are part of a community and we can support each other. I have many people to thank for that… parents, teachers and friends… I guess that means the biggest thing we have learned in high school is to lean on others when needed and help others when it is necessary.
The advice I would like to give you as we get ready to cross this stage for the last time: Don’t be afraid of the new changes. We are brave enough to overcome them. Make sure you’re around other people when you need someone to lean on. And, most importantly, do not forget the beautiful moments we have shared. (I am going to miss you guys).
Congratulations, Class of 2019! We did it!
