Clarke G., Co-President Student Council

I remember one in particular. On the 6th grade Mesa Verde trip, the main event was the Bear Dance. The bear dance is a traditional Ute dance, where a girl would choose a boy to dance with. You can see where the adversity comes into play. While most of the grade scrambled to decide which of their many suitors they would choose from, I was wondering who in their right mind would wanna dance with me. You have not experienced true fear until your entire ego lies on a 6th grader. However, the threat of coyotes kept most of us, including me, from running away that night. Let me paint you a picture of when the day came for the bear dance. We were all herded into a big barn. It is exactly how you’d imagine your first dance - surrounded by bundles of hay and silos of manure. Love was in the air, among other stenches. Then we started dancing. And it was great. We busted moves harder than Jordan busted his hip. I learned something that day. This group of kids is transformative. Our grade turned something daunting into something I’ll never forget. 

Based on experiences like this, all of us will find success in life. You’ll find success however that looks for you - socially, athletically, academically or anywhere in between.

However, this point could not have been reached alone. Our teachers and faculty have sacrificed their lives for us. They come to school early, support us all day, and I’m sure they’re just as relieved as we are when the clock strikes 3:10. But also to friends and family. My parents have made so many trips to Graland. Seriously, I’ve done the math. Accounting for my time at Graland, my sick days and also my “sick days,” I’ve been driven to school 3,500 times! Forget tuition, what about gas money! Well this is just a complicated way of saying thank you. 

A moment capturing this same love was right after COVID, Mr. Hazlett wanted to have a big concert. We were a group of aspiring, young untalented musicians, like it was Hollywood. I was a trumpeter, so I licked my lips and started tootin. And It was the most abysmal music. I think it was supposed to be “when the saints come marching in” but it sounded more like “when the saints come marching off a cliff.” It made me wonder why humans didn’t evolve with the ability to close our ears. Eventually, when the droning finally ended there was a pause. Then everyone clapped so loud. You treated us like Mick Jagger. Our friends and family didn’t cheer because they thought it was good, or even tolerated it but because they love us.

School is just another dip and bump on our way through life. Although many dips are hard to hide, like failed dunks or zeros on Spanish tests, you live for the bumps. They are moments of lucidity and content, and I’m happy most of mine were shared with you. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you realize every dip, every bump, in the end creates a beautiful mountain range.

But I digress. If you take away one thing from my speech, it’s that you are just the culmination of your relationships. Every impression someone’s made on you becomes a part of you. So whenever feeling alone or sad, know that there’s a piece of you that loves you very much. Because I love you all. And for that same reason, I’ll miss you too. 

Although I’m sad to see you go, the world needs you. The world will be brilliant because the class of 2023 is brilliant. 

I know it sounds cliche, and calling it cliche is cliche, but I’m ending with a quote… from Animal House. *clears throat* “Knowledge is good.” Thank you and goodbye.