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Huron Expositor, 2007-10-17, Page 41PAGE 12 — CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2007 mommtwots'' ST. ANNE'S CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL St. Anne's valedictorian proud to be a member of the `Class of 2007' Good evening everyone. Welcome parents, family, friends, staff, teachers, fellow graduates, and classmates. Congratulations graduates, this night has been a long time coming for some of us, and for others, we have no idea where the time has gone. Over the past four years we have grown consider- ably. Yes we have all con- quered the terrifying years of puberty and have lived to tell about it (that in and of itself is something to be proud of), but I know that we have grown on a much deeper and larger scale than that of our physical bodies during our duration at St. Anne's. Tonight there sits in this gymnasium a class, not a class of scared, self-con- scious and awkward high school kids, but a class of confident and mature men and women who are about to embark upon the jour- ney which is our life. We have conquered more than the terrible teenage years, we have accom- plished a great thing in our lives. Not only have we persevered, but we have successfully overcome many challenges over the past four years of high school. The academic chal- lenges and victories which we are being recognized for tonight are a very small part of what has really hap- pened to us during our time at St. Anne's. When anticipating and considering our graduation and future post secondary pursuits, I have realized that we have not come to the place where we are today on our own. It has been with the help of many, that we have not ANNA BRENNER only survived highs�chool, but have managed -to enjoy it, and have made it some of the best years of our lives. I realized that for the past four years, we have shaped one another. Coming into high school was a scary thing for all of us. We went from being the ones that "ruled the school" in Grade 8, think- ing we were "all that," to being, "Minor Niners," the ones who, much to the dis- may of the seniors, clogged up the halls with our little insecure groups of friends, who never wanted to walk through the front foyer alone. However, we quickly adjusted to our new sur- roundings and became one with the people around us. No matter how many dif- ferent groups of friends or cliques existed, no matter who went to what parties or who didn't. we have been a single functioning unit while we have been a part of this school. From the principals, teachers and staff to each one of the students, we have each contributed in some way to the people sit- ting around us whether that has been positive or nega- tive. We have all had a great deal of influence on what each one of us has become. And so, we will continue to have an impact on those around us, in our universi- ties, in our workplace, in our homes, or even those people who we run into while doing errands or get- ting groceries. I think an important thing for us to remember as we leave St. Anne's is that, each day we encounter other people and each day, we can choose to make those encounters influen- tial or meaningless. As W step out of this gym tonight and "move on" with the rest of our lives may we remember the people around us and that as human beings, we are one with each other, we need to treat each other as though this were true. There are many things we will take with us from this great learning institution, into the rest of our lives. These concepts have been indelibly etched into our brains and will live on for- ever as a part of us being of great use to us in our future career paths. After attending St. Anne's we now know that if we fail to tuck in our shirts or violate the uni- form dress code, great and severe consequences will ensue, such as serving a detention in the learning lab. We have learned the importance of avoiding contact with authority fig- ures during the random "uniform ride program days." We have learned not to do donuts in the Clinton skate park parking lot or police enforcement will be noti- fied (if anyone doesn't know what donuts are, you probably aren't from Huron County). We have learned that Mrs. Cale's point -proof - comment method, though deceivingly difficult to graspt first, is the best way to write an essay. We have learned to be punctual, especially for Dr. Kappler's classes or will get harassed and be made to stand on the "red car- pet." Lastly and most impor- tantly, we have all learned to never drink Coca-Cola because it does in fact kill, (and if you have any ques- tions about that you can contact myself or Dave Devlaeminck.) There are, however, other concepts, we have not yet grasped but the hope is that one day, we will be able to say that we can confidently clap in time and unison during a mass and to Mrs. Scholten's delight, we can sing and do have all the words memorized to our mass songs like Jesus Give us Your Peace and Mr. Robinson's famous rendi- tion of 0 Let us Sing, Sing 7711 the Power of the Lord Comes Down. Many people have given me advice this past year about choosing future career paths and making big decisions, and now I am going to relay all the good advice I have received to.you guys. First of all, "the world is your oyster," we are at an opportune place in our lives right now, graduates. We could literally go any- where, do anything, be anyone we want to. Life is what YOU make of it. In the wise words of Switchfoot, "Don't close your eyes, this is your life, are you who you want to be?" Graduates, the best wish that I could have for any of you is that you live every- day of your lives. I think the band Anberlin said it best, "There's more to liv- ing than being alive." If there is one thing that I've learned this past year it is that, life is extremely short. It is up to us to make our lives meaningful. Let it be said of us, class of 2007, that our lives meant something, that we made a difference to some- one, we made a difference in the world around us. Let it be said that we lived pas- sionate lives, running hard after everything that God has for us not resting or compromising until we have seen His destiny for our lives fulfilled. On a final and more per- sonal note, I just want to let you all know that iCare, and so do the people sitting around you. Your teachers, parents, friends and family, they care about you and have helped you get to where you are. right now. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped us along in the rocky journey that has been high school. We are better people because of you all and are more equipped to step out of this place and into the rest of our lives. To the St. Anne's gradu- ating class of 2007, con- gratulations. I'm proud to call myself your classmate, fellow graduate, and friend. Welcome to the first night of the rest of your lives!