As I was pondering what to speak about tonight, I started thinking about what has been the main influence in my school experience. I realized that what has shaped me most has been my teachers. What is a teacher? After 13 years of school, believe me, I have an extremely good idea of what a teacher is. Two teachers began to teach me, my father and my mother. The poet Ann Taylor wrote, "Who taught my infant lips to pray, And love God’s holy book and day, And walk in wisdom’s pleasant way? My Mother."
This year as we were challenged to give our hearts to God and our minds to our teachers, we learned more of their goals to see us grow as Jesus did in wisdom, stature and favor with both God and man. Col. 1:28 encourages teachers to warn and teach in all wisdom to present each man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Mr. Murry’s attitude "For Jesus" led the way for other teachers. Who could forget Mr. Jones' daily quotes? "Whatever you say, Mr. Livesay" was a rhyming line. Mrs. Bears, a Spanish translator for the court system, was able to translate her students’ effort to learn a foreign language. Mrs. Gabby said Yearbook/Marketing Media was her favorite class this year. Of course it was her only class. The firefighting stories of Mr. Doof caught our attention. The musical Mrs. Buyers and artistic Mrs. Williams pulled off an outdoor Christmas program, and Mrs. Sholer , in the midst of planning her son’s wedding, found the time to take her PE class on a volleyball field trip.
Looking back from this past year to my earlier school days, one of the teachers that boldly stands out in my memory is Mrs. Miner. No one else has named me as her daughter, Joanie Miller. While at Grace Academy, art class at the end of the day with Mrs. Frisk still makes my sides ache from giggling. During the days when there were no art classes, Mr. Peterson’s enthusiasm for hockey brightened the gymnasium, as he and my father practiced rapid-fire slapshots on some unsuspecting ninth grader. But, through all the memories, I was trying to think of one characteristic of teachers that has shown through the many years. I thought about their dedication, patience and guidance but decided that these wouldn’t do.
To the County High School Class of 2012: As you sit in front of me, I know what most of you are thinking at the moment. There are those who are already pondering about what life without high school will be like; those who are debating whether or not to tell your crush tonight about your whispers of adoration you’ve secretly held for four years; some simply want to get out of that ungodly chair, get that thing that isn’t really a diploma but only tells you when to pick up the thing, and then be the first one on the green bus to the grad party — you know who you are. And the rest, well, the rest aren’t even paying attention, you’re thinking, “Great, here comes one of the valedictorian speakers. Next up: a boring speech straight out of the pits of scholarly hell.” And it’s OK, I don’t mind — that sort of thing comes with the territory. But tonight, I ask that you give me a chance to break that stereotype so that I may address you in the full splendor that you deserve after 13 grueling years of work. I do not want to be known as your “valedictorian” as I stand here, c’mon guys, there is no time left to place labels on people anymore, instead I ask that you accept me as one of your peers — and as a man who will enjoy becoming a graduate alongside you.
When I was in elementary school, I loved to read. I was a total nerd back then ... okay maybe I still am, but one thing has changed. Now I don't so much like reading. My favorite poet was Shel Silverstein, who wrote "Where the Sidewalk Ends." He seemed like he was a total hippie, but that's cool because I like hippies. My grandma is a recovering hippie. I like her too. Anyway, Shel Silverstein wrote about the coolest things. He wrote about magical erasers, eating whales and a boy with long hair flying away from people who were taunting him. He captured all of the things that I loved without knowing that I actually loved them. Now you may ask, how does this hippie relate to our graduation? Well, he wrote a poem entitled "Traffic Light" and this is how it goes:
"Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students." This powerful; quote by Solomon Ortiz aims its intention to show how vital the correlation of teachers and students are. Teachers and students mutually benefit from one other to prosper. I could relate to the quote and meaning behind it. During my tenure at Derby High School, I had one teacher in particular that served as a positioning lasting impact during my course at high school and for the rest of my life. That teacher and I shared experiences in the classroom, football field, and in life in general. These experiences with each other have dealt with successes, failures, and lessons that I will preserve with me for the rest of my life. His name is Mr. David Cherveralla,
Teachers help us expand and open our mind by giving us skills throughout students’ early life to help students when they are older. By learning information from teachers, students become better people, in a couple of ways. Besides inquiring knowledge from their teachers, students learn to work with one another, open their mind to other peoples’ thoughts and ideas, respect one another, and learn different techniques for life’s issues.
Betty Lou is right -- Our achievements of the past four years have been an honor. And so I offer my congratulations to each of you for achieving the honor that comes with high school graduation. Up to this point, high school may be the most exciting and difficult experience of our lives. We've enjoyed the carefree and happy times with WWF-style pep assemblies, dances, Junior T-P nights, and classes with friends. We've had our bad days too, though. The days when we forgot our semester project for C.I. at home, or when we couldn't stop falling asleep and Mr. Gnome made us get up to "open a window." But far worse were the times when we felt alone. We've all had days of personal crisis when we've felt rejected by those around us or alienated from them. Hopefully, we were fortunate enough to have had a friend come rescue us from isolation, but perhaps not.
For the last 18 years or so, we have been influenced and directed by parents, teachers, and other authority figures. We have been told when to get up, when to work, when to play, when to eat, sleep, come home, go out, etc., etc., etc. Now we are moving on. As we do, let me remind you of two principles we have been taught, the principle of freedom and the principle of success. As adults, a whole new world of personal freedom awaits us.
A boy once approached Socrates with the desire to obtain wisdom. Without saying a word, Socrates led the boy down to the edge of the sea and walked in, beckoning him to follow. When they were standing waist deep in the water, Socrates pushed the boy down, completely submerging his head. He held him thus for a couple of minutes, until the boy was almost to the point of death, before letting him up. Sputtering and angry, the boy demanded to know why Socrates had held him underwater for so long. In response, Socrates asked, "when you were under the water, what did you want more than anything in the world?"
Will you be who you were meant to be, or will you be who everyone wants you to be. It is up to you to decide your destination, but it is the events along the way that shape the final outcome. As we sit here at graduation, having suffered and prospered through four years at County High School, it is hard to forget the memories we've shared. At the same time, it is easy to see how the past four years have shaped who we are today and impacted our future forever.
It's been great attending County Christian School. Where else do students walk into school at 7:55 and receive a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie? Then, after third period, Mr. Obrastoff combs our hair and sings to us. It really has been a delightful place to go to school.
Most older kids don’t like any of their teachers except for one or two of them, but the teachers that they do like, they will remember them. When Maria was asked about her college experience, what she had trouble with, and how she overcame it, she thought about it and replied, “I didn’t like most of my teachers, but there was one professor that helped with every and made sure that every student passed with at least a B...I wish all teachers were like that.” This quote shows that teachers are a big part of a student life, and if it is a good teacher, the students will be
The great big orange doors. The doors that we have grown so fond of during our four-year stay at Tropics High School -- the cafeteria doors. In an attempt to get to the Commons a split second faster than the person next to you, how many times have you opened those orange doors so hard and fast that you've gone BAM! and heard a response of a groan ... OW! Then in reaction to the yelp, you turn to see a boy with a freshly swollen red spot right in the middle of his forehead. "Sorry," you say with a cheesy grin and you skidaddle away as fast as you possibly can. You never see this boy ever again, except in the most random places and though you don't know his name, you'll always remember to never open the big orange door so fast and so hard ever again. As insignificant as he was in your life, he has taught you a lesson.
Teaching is a very difficult thing for some people to do. When I look at a teacher that has made a good lasting impression on me, I appreciate their desire to help kids that go through their classroom door, just like my 6th grade teacher Mrs. Enberg. She made a difference in my life by teaching me respect for people in authority over me and that there are consequences for my actions. One common characteristic that she shared with Hattie M. Steinburg in the “my favorite teacher” essay in the book models for writers (103)
I was a one of lucky students who had a great teacher. I had a teacher in high school who used to say, "I am forever young because you are with me. I thank God who gave me this wonderful job." The most influential teacher in my life is Mr. Barker, who taught me English at Los Angeles High School. He was like an oasis in the middle of the desert. He was everything I dreamed a teacher could and should be. He taught us how to love one another, and opened our minds to the beautiful side of life. Mr. Barker’s influence motivated me to become a teacher. I thought being a teacher was the best career in the whole world, and I still believe a teacher can change one’s valuable life.
When I was growing up, I remember attending elementary school, learning a new language seems to be difficult at first, but I was able to learn the English language because of the dedication of one of my teachers. Now, as I reflect on this experience, it is obvious that she was dedicated and enjoyed teaching her students to be successful. I know today that she made a difference in my life as I navigated through my education experience and high school years to present.
Throughout my high school years, many teachers inspired me and others disappointed me. It was because of this that I decided I wanted to be the teacher that gives students the desire to achieve and not the teacher that loves to humiliate. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I knew English would be my field of expertise thanks to my senior English teacher. She was a teacher that set high expectations, demanded excellent work, and never gave up on me when I thought I couldn’t do it. Receiving an A in her class was the highlight of my high school career! Than...