Thank you to everyone who is here to celebrate this most memorable and exciting day. Welcome Mr. Richards, Mr. Harrison on behalf of Mr. Anderson, Mayor Linda Bruce, Superintendent John Deausy, Trustee Mary Martin, Mrs. Urdal, and Mr. Downey. Thank you for sharing your words and your time with us. Thank you to Father Pyon for letting us celebrate with you today. Welcome all the faculty and staff from St. Martin de Porres. Welcome to all the family and friends who are here as well, without your love and support none of this would’ve been possible. And last but not least, welcome to the 2010 graduating class of St. Martin de Porres High School! It is truly my honour to speak on behalf of such wonderful classmates.
Our lives are a series of paths that we find ourselves on. Our paths are different for each person and it is up to us to decide which one we will journey down. Yet, no matter how different they will be, they all converge for one moment, right here, right now. After today we begin the next trek down life’s road that will lead each one of us to a life that I hope will be fulfilling and full of happiness. You know it’s kind of like when you flip your unit exam over on your desk because you think you aced it and finished it in record breaking time and you’re looking around wondering what is taking everyone else so long, and so you look down and sure enough there is a backside to it. It’s like that because now that we’re done high school you start getting that feeling like ‘Hey I’m done, that’s it!’ But really you look around and you see that we’ve only scratched the surface of life’s journey. And you know it may seem daunting right now, but in time, we will come to see God’s plan for us and where we want to be in life.
It’s hard to believe that it is already 12 years ago that many of our paths were taking root in the Kindergarten classes at OLQP, learning to tie our shoes, recite the ABC’s and taking full advantage of nap time after a hard day’s play. Others have joined us along the way and we have welcomed them all with open arms. By the end of Grade 12, we have all found our place amongst each other.
Our many years spent together have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. None of us will forget the time spent together in the classroom, on band trips and on sports teams. It is times like these that we can truly appreciate the value of friendship. We owe much thanks to the atmosphere at St. Martins for allowing us to become such a close knit grade. I feel like I’ve gotten to know just about every graduate here at sometime or another within my years with them. I hope this feeling is shared with every graduate today. We have also had the great opportunity to really get to know and connect with our teachers who have helped so much in preparing for this day. Whether it be sharing a laugh with one of them, or asking for advice, they have all had a huge impact on our years here. They’ve also taught us valuable life lessons, like before making your way to the office always check to make sure the phone is indeed plugged in and they know your coming. I know everyone has their experiences they’ll remember. It’s the unique closeness of our grade that really sets us apart from others and will make our years together so memorable.
As we embark on our next journey in life, we must remember that God will always be there to guide us and help us when we need it. I have gone through some personal hardships over the past few years and it has been with God’s help that I am speaking in front of you now. I hope that each one of you find God’s support in the many challenges you will face on the path that is ahead of you. And remember that life is a gift that God has graciously given to us, so we can’t be afraid to follow our dreams and live each day to its potential.
If there is something that we all have in common, it’s that we have a dream for the future. When we were little, we were consumed with thought of one day being a rock star and touring the world or maybe our dreams led us onto a stage were we danced as a ballerina in front of thousands. For many of us as we look on today, our dreams for the future might seem like they changed from those in our childhood. And for some, maybe they’ve stayed the same throughout the years, and that’s okay because nobody can tell us that just because we’ve graduated we have to grow up right away. Perhaps we’ve already accomplished them, like say playing rock star and singing Folsom prison blues or watching a beautiful ballet performance at the talent show.
We’re still in our youth and our prime and while we look toward to future we still have to live each day and have fun while we’re doing it. “Remember the days we didn’t have to step in line, we moved to the rhythm of our heart beat.” This sums up perfectly what our high school years have been all about. We’ve been ourselves, did things our way, and carved our own path that will lead us through the years ahead.
Now graduates, I know what you’re thinking right now, Jeremy, get off the stage, let’s take these caps off, throw em up and let’s celebrate! And believe me I’m thinking the same thing, but before that happens, I think it important to take the time to thank everyone who has helped us become the young men and women we are today and helped get where we are right now. Each person in this church has had an impact in one form or another. Our elected officials and board members, you have allowed us a safe and fair opportunity to learn and develop as students. The staff at St. Martins, in the words of Mr. Hoehn, ‘you have given us the tools, and we no longer lack the knowledge to apply it.’ You have supplied us with the skills to be successful in today’s society. Friends of the graduates, your friendship means the world to us and it has and will continue to help us through the hardest of times. And thank you to all of the parents and guardians; you are truly the foundation of who we are today. Your love has shaped us and your encouragement has motivated us. I know that we have grown into sons and daughters that you can truly be proud of. Knowing that our achievements let you look upon us with pride means the world to us.
And so graduates, as you look to the future also take a moment to reflect on the past, which is full of memories and lessons you will carry for a lifetime. Take these lessons and memories along with the ones that are still to come in the next two days and always keep them with you as you move forward. We are all intelligent, beautiful and unique individuals who will flourish in the years ahead. It has been an honour to have spent the last 12 years among you all, and I wish each and every one of you the best luck in your future plans, and I know you’ll be great. Congratulations class of 2010!
