That feeling…. created by your past experiences… influences your experience in the present.  

When I step into this gym I am reminded of that feeling of teamwork and support I feel while playing sports and having my friends cheer me on from the sidelines. When I stand under these gymnasium lights I am flooded with excited anticipation, a sensation I have experienced so often while giving speeches or presentations here. When this gym is crowded with people I immediately feel joy and ease because I know we are gathered here with the same intention - to be part of a community and celebrate each other - as I felt so often at school dances, concerts and assemblies over the years.  

This room, and all of the memories - brings up all these feelings inside of me. 

These feelings - then shape how I experience this room in this moment right now.

I bet most people in this gym (myself included) do not remember the answers to their 7th grade math test on Fractions, decimals, & percentages (sorry Dr. Hill).

 But I also bet every single person here remembers how you felt in 7th grade math class. Dr. Hill, I may not perfectly remember every math fact you taught me, but the memory of laughing with you and finding joy during a task I typically do not enjoy, like honing my math skills is something I will never forget. And since I am already giving it away that I am not the most academic student here, I will admit that I don't remember every Newberry Award winning book I read to get my name on the wall in third grade. I do remember my determination to accomplish the goal, and the pride I felt when it was my turn to have my classmates surround me as Ms. Sheehan wrote my name on the list for the entire school to see. And Mr. Masters I may not remember all of the history behind the medieval knighting ceremony to be honest I don't even remember what I put on my shield, but what sticks with me still to this day is you sitting by my side while I was obsessing over my artwork and telling me that the goal is not to be perfect but to be authentically me. 

Before my parents and teachers freak out, I am sure there are some academic lessons that stuck (I guess we will find that one out in high school). But what I think I really learned at Graland can't be found in a textbook, but I feel it with all my senses all the time.  

From all the moments and all the memories here at this school, I learned how to experience… the world.  

From all the moments and memories here at this school, I have begun to understand how I want to keep showing up for my future. 

From all the moments and all the memories here at this school, I know that belonging to an inspiring community matters more than anything. 

Graland provided us with the experience of having a special buddy in fourth grade. Now I know the feeling I want in the future when I make connections with people who are different from me. Graland provided us with the experience of incredible trips in middle school. Now I know the importance of exploring new environments and staying curious even when the topics are heavy and hard. Through the games I played with Ms. Chen and the laughter we shared during bus rides on the South trip, now I know how important it is to create special moments of comfort when things are uncomfortable.

From my friendships here, now I know that I want to spend the rest of my life building relationships with people who make me feel appreciated - just as I have felt so many times when I see Everett smiling at me while I give a speech. Or when Coco cheers me on when I finally get that serve over the net during volleyball. Now I know that feeling of belonging matters more than anything because the ease I feel in the lunch room sitting with anyone in this class is a comfort I want to feel for the rest of my life - no matter what table I am trying to sit at.

Community… curiosity... purpose… determination… and joy. This is the curriculum Graland has provided for me. It's in the air I breathe -  and it shapes how I see the world. 

So today I would like to thank you all. For every lesson from my teachers, every conversation with classmates, every smile and hug from a parent, every project, every dance, performance and sports game…  my education is in the feelings from these small and big moments. And to my classmates, as we leave this school, we will be tested in ways far beyond the ERB’s, SAT’s, ACT’s  or any other silly acronym out there. Our real test will be how we remember the teachings from this school, and how we experience and contribute to the world in the future.  I can't wait to see what we all accomplish.  I promise I will never stop smiling and cheering you on - just as we have always done for each other here, at Graland Country Day School.  

Thank you.