Selected by the 8th grade class to deliver this special address during Graduation, Mairi humorously and personally recounts beloved memories from the Class of 2017’s time at Hillbrook. She celebrated this vivacious and larger-than-life class with the same passion and exuberance that characterized the way we will always remember them.
As much as I would like to begin by thanking my teachers, classmates, and parents, I’d love to start with a quick note instead. Back when I was in 6th grade, and my brother was in 8th, I had the opportunity to witness some of his most extreme procrastination. Watching his fingers frantically scramble across the keyboard at 2 in the morning to meet the deadline before his class speech was due, compelled me to promise that I would never allow that to happen to myself. I said, “I would never procrastinate that much. Ever. Period.” However, the recent process of writing my essay on the Tragedy of Macbeth, has taught me, I should not make vows I cannot fulfill because that is a tragedy in and of itself. Also, I remembered this promise, about 8 hours ago, as I too was frantically scrambling across my keyboard, at approximately 2:13 am to meet the deadline. And google docs will in fact, confirm this. Furthermore, before we start, just a few last minute reminders to make sure we are all set: Nina-try not to drop your diploma. Lachlan-do not run away this time-luckily for us there’s no mountains from Catalina nearby. And Ben-well Ben you just keep doing what you’re doing. Okay, I think we’re all set? Let me begin by saying thank you Class of 2017, for your vote of confidence in electing me to speak on behalf of all of you, on this incredibly momentous day-our graduation.
I’ve attended Hillbrook for 9 years, and grown up with this class. Over the years, my classmates have taught me so many life lessons- such as how incredibly close a group of people can get-this was proven once again just two weeks ago, on our class trip to D.C., when many of us bonded over sharing similar strains of influenza. I am very appreciative for these charismatic people for allowing me have a- uh well,-‘colorful’ experience for my Hillbrook career. Each of you have meant so much to me–I will never forget you.
I also want to say thank you to our parents, for putting up with our middle school “challenges”. From our constant mood swings, odd rants, or our requests for the latest craze from fidget spinners to Hydroflasks to pretty expensive sneakers-right Zach? And who here could ever forget our silly band phase. Through all of this, our parents have been supportive, and incredibly patient. Thank you for putting up with our late night noises from finishing a project we probably should have started weeks ago-I imagine we’re all guilty of doing this around 1-12 times.
Looking back over the years, I can tell you that this is probably one of the most talkative groups of people you’ll ever come across in your life. And I’m sure none of the teachers would disagree with me. Therefore, thank you to the teachers, for not losing your heads each time we erupt in chatter when you’re trying to explain directions, patiently, and watchfully guide us back on track… Let me make this more specific-Mr. Stamos, we apologize for every single time about 20 of us flooded into your room, scream-singing Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of our lungs when you were telling us to go to class in your most respectful, calmest, and patient manor. Mr. Sears, if a vehicle is traveling at 40 miles an hour for 130 minutes, how many feet per second is it going? We could have figured this out sooner perhaps if we hadn’t talked so much. Mrs. Lee, the last time all of us were with you was in 2011, Lexington was empty-but thanks to you, and all of our teachers at Hillbrook the reservoirs of our minds were filled just like Lexington. But most importantly parents-and teachers, thank you for helping us find our confidence, that gives us our voice; because our voice, is our legacy.
The importance of leaving a legacy is that someday, somewhere, someone, can look back and see what we were thinking, seeing, and hearing. I want to take an opportunity to ask my fellow classmates if they’re absolutely positive on their definition of legacy. You see, throughout the year, maybe 1-2 times a month, Ms. Pak gathered all the 8th graders in a room, and spoke with us about legacy. How we have to determine what we want our individual legacy to be, how we have to create a positive one for our class, remember? Looking back on our years as a whole, I would definitely say we’ve left a legacy-a very very loud one. I would hope that you would agree with me that the message our class has left for other classes to admire and follow and hopefully hear-is our voices. Whether your voice is loud, or soft, frequent, or not, each and every voice is heard. From quieter voices like Darrow or Camilla, to slightly more audible voices like Elizabeth, or Preston, they all contribute unique characteristics that make us the Class of 2017. As we leave and venture off into different high schools and beyond, our choir of voices will be divided and not unified to any greater extent as it has been for the past 10 years or even this past year as new members joined our choir. That division makes me sad-and I haven’t been this sad thinking about division since Mrs. Butler’s 4th grade class. But all jokes aside-the division of our choir is sad. But, what makes me really happy, is that I know when other students at other schools hear your individual voices, you’ll be extending the Hillbrook choir into whatever school, or state you happen to be in-So Tanner no pressure here on Colorado, buddy.
After spending 9 years with my fellow classmates seated here before you, I’ve been able to hear each and every one of these voices. I’ve heard them individually and I’ve heard them in a collective group. And this collective group of voices, is what made our class so special. I want to assure you that each one of these amazing students has a voice that we all will always remember. It’s easy to think that every voice must be heard audibly but, I’ve learned that there are many ways to perceive a voice. For example, some of these voices manifest themselves in art, some in music, some in athletics, or academics. And it is these collective voices that create our unique choir.
There’s an old saying, ‘be careful what you say, because someone’s always listening’. This old saying, is particularly true for us, the Class of 2017 because what we have to say, which can be pretty often, is always diverse, insightful, encouraging, funny, and inspiring to each other within our class. And, I know, that each and every one of you, will use your own voice to honor our legacy. One of the things that made this class so unique, is that each of these voices were different. Some were more frequent than others, some were quieter than others. But when they acted in concert, they were incredible; they were amazing; they were magic. I always wish to remember, when we all leave here, and when we’re not in concert together, is that each of you will continue to be the voice that you are. And to find another concert, in another place, at another time.
As we leave here today, we’re all headed off to different places, schools and new beginnings. My wish, is that we all leave here with the memories of all of our voices-because each of these voices has a story to tell. And what excites me, is that we’ll be able to share this, with new adventures ahead of us.
About a month ago, my understanding of graduation was that once they hand us the diplomas, we’re pretty much done here-right? Well, since that time, I’ve learned-and seen, that this isn’t quite as accurate as what I initially thought. Most of us might be ready to leave Hillbrook, but the memories we’ve made, whether they’ve been from 8th grade, or all the way back to JK and Kindergarten, will follow us forever as will each of our voices loud, quiet or otherwise. So, as my speech comes to an end, much the same as our 8th grade year. We say goodbye today, to our school, our teachers, and to all of you, I want you to know, that I will always take with me, and I will never forget, the unmistakable, and extremely loud sound of each of your voices that made our class what it is today. That choir will always make me smile. Thank you classmates, for your own individual contribution and “voice” that was so memorable. I am very proud to be one of those voices, a member of our choir, and part of the legacy that the class of 2017 leaves with Hillbrook.