Graduation Speech
Hello, Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Lara Sulahian, and I am one of the graduating seniors at Clark magnet high school. I am here today to thank you for joining your sons or daughter’s graduation. I am pleased that you people have attended one of the best graduating classes of Clark magnet high school.
I want to remind everybody that because of a pandemic we should not give up hope and that one day we will be free again, one day we will see our friends again, and one day we will be in the streets still. Let us not forget those days that we use to go out, the sleepover we would have with our friends, going to parties and not being afraid to be 6 feet of each other, eating out, the school activities we would have like fundraisers, parties, do funny dance-offs we would have during lunch, and so on. Remember the little things that we used to do during school like making tick-tocks, having laughs and cries, listening to loud music, and having small moments of fun. At the moment, we would think that it wasn’t essential, but because today we’re standing in something far worse, we should remember those little moments to keep us together. Don’t let yourself go. Do not let this pandemic affect you from being you. Do not give up on yourself because something like this will affect your emotions and mental health. Right now, we are on a rocky road, but we will be back on a smooth sail once again. I know, COVID-19 has taken in one of the most significant events of 2020 from us graduation and prom. Graduation was one of the biggest things for me because my mom always wanted to see me graduate walking across the stage, and now she cannot. Even if we do it virtually, it won’t be the same. It won’t be the same because I am not there smiling and laughing with my friends wearing heels, a beautiful dress, and subtle makeup on, and my hair has done. It is just not the same and prom. Wow! I was looking forward to that the minute I walked into high school. It just hits me hard when I look at this and remind myself that I will never be able to drive my car generally to school, seeing my friends every morning, planning to eat after school, or even planning to go to a friend’s house. The little things I do every day keep me going, but because of this, my routine and my happiness just went downhill. I have been stuck at home 24 seven, but let’s not forget the fresh air we were taken every morning when we got up from the bed and every night when we went to sleep. Remember the nights and remember the mornings remember the freedom because we don’t know how long this will last. These little things keep me going because I know I will have the day again. I will have that day back that I will drive in my car and see my friends without being scared. Even though we are in this pandemic, we should keep ourselves safe by washing your hands, by wearing a mask and gloves and staying 6 feet away from other individuals. One thing that I have found very helpful for me is drinking in emergencies. The emergency is a vitamin C drink where it helps you get your immune system more robust, so it is less likely you can get sick. By working together, we will fight through this, and we will have our freedom again; by working together we will keep our friends and family safe, and by working together and keep each other safe, we are less likely to get the COVID-19.
I am standing here today as a Clark Magnet High school graduate of 2020 to remind everyone from this year to every other graduating year that 2020 does not hold down, 2020 will not affect us, and 2020 will teach us how little things matter. I want to thank every teacher and staff for the fantastic four years you have put me through, to all the students for making high school amazing, and mostly I want to thank my parents for not giving up on me and for pushing me to be a Clark magnet student because I would’ve given up without them. Thank you!