Graduation Speech
I can't believe this is the last day I'm going to be a student here at the Oneness Family School. But thankfully it's not my last day with Oneness. Oneness will always be with me, wherever I go. All of the memories and lessons I've gained from my six years here at Oneness will stay with me. I have finished algebra 1 in math, my writing and reading skills are improving all the time, I understand and speak Spanish, I've played many different sports, I have learned many different subjects in science, the history of America, different parts of the world, and evolution. But I have also learned about peace, love, friendship, virtues, how to be a leader, how to be myself and stand up for my beliefs, and many different life lessons.
I can still remember the first time I came to Oneness. I had just turned eight and was about to go into second grade. It was summer vacation in 2002, and my brother and I were visiting Madhavi's class. I remember Iggy the Iguana, and Pooter and Scooter the two loud and friendly parakeets in the hallway. When school started I was very nervous and shy, but eventually I opened up and made some very good friends. I remember visiting the Smithsonian so much that I never wanted to go back again. Now when I do go back, many fun memories come back to me. The Sticky Bear typing program really helped me with my typing skills. I passed all 30 levels and it boosted my typing skills when I went into 4th grade. Now I type about 80wpm! Math wheels. They are extremely helpful, especially when you get into middle school. It is a lot easier and faster if you can do all the simple math problems in your head instead of having to get out your calculator.
Well, one of the first times I visited the Peace Academy was when Nadia Hewchuck invited me to be a guest for a few minutes. I got to sit in the big green chair, I was asked a few questions, and they told me about their class. It was so scary being with all those fourth and fifth graders. I was partly relieved when I got to go back to the Peace Arbor. When I finally graduated to the Peace Academy and was introduced to how everything worked, it became a lot more fun. I remember sitting under Peter's desk reading things I wrote with my best friend Leah. Then came one of my favorite trips, in 4th grade we went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We went to Kenny Wood, an amusement park, a sports center with lots of fun games and activities, and we visited a museum. I will never forget that trip.
It was always so sad to see the 6th graders leaving and moving on to the Middle School, and I can honestly say that I was terrified of the middle school. They were always so much bigger than me, and I was also afraid of the workload. Well, I was glad that I had one more year in the Peace Academy before I had to face the Middle School. Or so I thought. That summer I took a test to see if I could skip 6th grade. Sure enough on orientation night, I surprised everyone in the Middle School as a 7th grader.
I learned that the middle school wasn't as scary as I expected. My friends were all there and a few other people I was going to get to know very well. 7th grade was so much fun. By the end of the year I felt like I had learned so much that my head was going to explode! Not only did I learn a lot but I had fun doing it, plus all the work we did paid off with the amazing trips. I learned a very valuable lesson during the orientation trip, when we went camping. Never, ever, put your tent in a ditch, especially when it's going to rain. That was a very muddy and wet situation.
Our next trip was to Florida. That was probably the most exciting week that I can remember: trick-or-treating, going to Sea World, visiting NASA, hanging out at the beach, and telling speeches at the Florida Peace Conference. Assateague was our last trip of the year. It was so windy that we had to strap our tents to benches to prevent them from flying away. One morning I woke up and everyone in the tent was lying on the door.
My 8th grade year was also an adventure. It was such a bummer when we heard that Deborah was leaving, but then Amy came, our fun sarcastic teacher together with Pearl, our math and science teacher. They have made the Middle School a fun and enjoyable place to be. Amy has really been there for me this year. Since I'm always at school early and stay after school so late, we always get a chance to talk about everything. She even gives me a ride home. I'm glad I got a chance to have this kind of relationship with my teacher because I'm not quite sure what to expect for next year. My fellow 7th graders, the Middle School just wouldn't be the same without you. I'm going to miss all the crazy times we've had together. Gabrielle and Kathi, my 8th grade friends, even though we only came to know each other as good friends last year I feel as if we've been best friends forever, and I wish we didn't have to go our separate ways but I hope we can still find time for each other. I've had lots of fun plotting, imagining, and hanging out with you guys.
Ever since before I was born I have been a Montessori student and I'm proud of it. My mom has always taught Montessori so it was right that her children should be taught it as well. I also appreciate that each class isn't only one grade. So I can hang out with my friends that are older and younger than myself.
This also means that I got to be in the same class as my wonderful little brother Jacob. I love you Jacob, and even though you can be annoying at times I still miss you when you're over at your friend's house. And I am proud to be your big sister. Thank you Mom and Dad for always supporting me, and always having faith in me. I really appreciate it, and I couldn't ask for better parents.
Dear CPG and Peace Arbor students, you all have the most innocent way of giving a compliment or a hug when I least expect it. And it makes my day every single time. Carina, you are such a kind, generous, and giving person and I always love talking to you for even just 15 minutes each morning. To all the aftercare teachers and office staff, thank you for putting up with all my questions and requests I've bothered you with.
This year's drama production was a lot of fun, and thank you June for giving me the opportunity to be the lead in the play. Now it is one thing to be a creative person, but it is another thing to inspire someone. So I thank you June and Brian for inspiring me to be an artist. Debbie, you have opened my eyes with all the effort you have put into the Amman Imman project. You have inspired me to want to help as much as I can. I also want to thank Debbie and Sondra for helping me with my Heroic Journey. Both of you have been very supportive and I have learned a lot.
Andrew, I couldn't thank you enough for creating this school. I might never find a place as warm and welcoming as Oneness has been. Oneness is almost like my second home. It's sad that I will never be able to walk down the corridors of this school as a student again, but I can't wait to see how much the school will continue to improve. My experience at Oneness has been so fantastic. Whenever I think of Oneness all I can think of is how friendly, happy, encouraging, and fun everyone is. I think Oneness had taught me all that I need to know to succeed in the next stage in my life, and I can't wait to get started!
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