Graduation Speech

It was freezing cold outside and I was sitting on the table in the yard, but I didn't care, why would I when all I could think about was telling my parents the news, the news that would change my future. I, Azriella Kilgore was accepted into the Academy of Arts Careers and Technology.

When they finally got home and I told them...wow their faces were priceless. They were excited , happy, and couldn't be more delighted for me. And of course I couldn't wait for the next year to start, though I could have never imagined what the next four years would have entailed. All the friends, all the classes, all the memories, every single moment that occurred, I never would have guessed that any of it would have happened.

I don't really remember everything we did in AACT, but I do remember that first day. Even though most of it was a blur of people, activities, and events I do remember the one thing, the commitment ceremony. I remember saying the word:

On this day, the 23^rd day of August, 2010

I pledge, with my classmates as witness,

To do all in my power to graduate from high school.

Though there will be challenges and disappointments along the way,

I will focus on the success and celebrations to encourage me.

I will believe in my possibilities,

Work hard to live up to my potential,

And take personal responsibility to reach my dreams.

I will persevere and graduate!

Now four years later here we are, keeping our promise to graduate! In a couple of minutes we will be walking across this stage, accepting our diploma's and starting the rest of our lives.

Sometimes I wonder where the time went. It doesn't feel like four years have passed. It feels like just yesterday I was in Mr. Burge's class reading Romeo and Juliet in his class, or Mr. Rossi's class doing posters about whatever we were doing in world history, or in Mrs. Wentworth's class trying to solve one of her Algebra problems.

Through the last four years we have changed friends, we have changed hair colors, we have changed style and we ourselves have changed. Change is inevitable, but yet the change is for the better. I am not the same person I was when I came to AACT as I am today. I have gotten over my fear of speaking in front of people, I have become friends with the most unlikeliest of people, I have literally become another person.

What more could we can accomplish? We can accomplish EVERYTHING! Now we are graduating. The future is now and it is in our hands! Lets go out and make the best of it.