Willing To Learn

Young brunette woman in white dress smiling and giving a speech

Hello everybody! I am so grateful and happy to be standing here before you today. Over the last 17 months here at Spring Ridge Academy, I have learned a lot. Mr. Stubbe taught me how to solve complicated math equations. Mr. Smith taught me that I have a passion for film and literature. And Justin taught me more of the logistical things like as he always says, I’m not allowed to date until I’m 40. And all of this knowledge will no doubt be valuable as I go forward in life. But I think that the most important thing that I have learned over the last 17 months is how much we need each other to succeed. 

Over the next few minutes, I’d like to talk about what I’ve learned, the people I have to thank, and the people I have to remember.l told you that the most important thing that I learned was how much we need each other to succeed. 

I was never one to be big into school. I coasted through freshman, sophomore, and junior years. It is only since enrolling here at Spring Ridge Academy that I have really learned what it means to be a part of a living and learning community. I have learned that nothing we accomplish is done alone. Rather, we need each other for support and coaching. Next, I’d like to take a moment on behalf of myself to thank the people that have brought me here. 

I’d like to thank my mother for always pushing me to do my very best not only in school but in life. I’d like to thank Julia for all those days when I could barely make it out of bed for her jumping on me and playing music and motivating me to do my very best. I’d like to thank Gretchen for teaching me that I have a passion and that passion is dance. Thank you to Leslie for the constant support in the computer lab and with applying to colleges. 

PSA: I’m proud to announce that I WILL in fact be attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the fall! Finally, my biggest thank you goes to Justin Zych, the man who changed learning for me forever. Thank you for helping to open my eyes, for showing me my true potential, and for shaping me into the young scholar I am today. So now I guess I’m a high school graduate. And soon we’re going to be saying goodbyes to each other. There will be hugs and tears. We’ll do our best to stay in touch. But we’ll be living our lives and doing our best. 

As a final thought going forwards, I’d like to leave you with a quote from my grandfather. He said, “A high school education is a great thing just as long as you’re willing to learn something after you graduate.” And I am more than ready to keep learning every day for the rest of my life. Thank you all.