Valedictory Address- Our Lady of Victories 2001

Dearest parents, faculty, family, friends, and class of 2001,

Hello, everybody! How do I begin? No words can describe how I feel at this very moment. Is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? For the first time in my life, I honestly don’t know what to say. As I sat in my room thinking about what to write, I found it extremely difficult. I knew what I wanted to say. I just didn’t know how to say it. My mind couldn’t stop thinking that this moment, right here, right now, may be the last time I’ll see us together as a group, as a class, as friends. Still, I urged myself to compose a speech. Telling myself it is always best to be prepared. But now, I seem to be having doubts. Is it even possible to prepare for a moment like this? The answer is no.

I’ve been a student here in OLV basically all my life- from Kindergarten to 8^th grade. It’s been a second home to me. Throughout the years, I’ve witnessed its growth, its triumphs, its defeats, its laughter, its tears, its impact on the future, its memories…and so much more. Now, tonight, it’s supposed to be farewell. But I can’t. It hurts me to even think it. I keep telling myself to be brave. What exactly is bravery? Is it the fact that you keep going even when you’re scared? Is that bravery? Maybe I am just scared? Is it okay to be scared? But what am I scared of? The future? A new school? New friends? New teachers? New challenges? A new way of life? Or maybe I’m just scared in general, of graduating, of leaving. I have so much to look forward to. Yet, so much to look back on.

Yes, beyond this school, there’s a whole new world out there waiting to be explored. There’s a lot to fear, too. But, if you believe, if you trust yourself, and God, you’ll get through all the rough times. Just believe. If you follow your dreams, if you want it badly enough, anything is possible! Just believe. There’s one story in particular, I’m sure most of you are familiar with. I’d like to read “ Footprints in the Sand.”

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamt he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;

one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me.”

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you, during your times of trouble and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Even though it may not seem like God is with us through our difficult times. He always is. Just believe.

This is our world. Our earth. Our life. And, on our world, we have little roads and paths, each leading to a different destination. And, each and every one of us has our own road and path. But, the trick to life is that we may not know which path to take.

This paper ball is round like a circle. And a circle never ends. This is like our friendship and our memories. They will never end. Always remember that. I know we’re going our separate ways, our different roads. And, it’s scary. But I have faith that they will one day cross. One day meet. That’s why I can’t say bye. That’s why I won’t say bye.

As my speech is slowly coming to a close, I’d first like to thank all our wonderful teachers and the entire faculty for putting up with us and preparing us for our road to life. Mrs. De, my mommy #2! You were always there when I needed a wicked smile or a tissue! Then, to all the parents, although we may not show it sometimes, we are thankful for the guidance and love you’ve always shown. It means a lot if you just say I’m proud of you once in awhile. We hope we DO make you proud. To my Student Council, I wish you all the best of luck in the future. Thank you for allowing me to make my mark on OLV. To Mrs. Byrnes. You’ve believed in me from the start. I can’t thank you enough for that. Where would I be without you? My own family, dad, mom, Tin, and Steph, uncles, aunts, everyone who came today! This is only the beginning. I know you’ll be a part of my life now and until the end of time. Thanks for supporting me all the way! Mahal Kita. To my

bestest friends, you kn0w who you are. It’s been tough. But hey! We made it this far, there’s no use stopping us now! We’re gonna rock this world! Last but never least! Class of 2001, we are graduating!!!! What is the world coming to? I thank you for making me who I am. You’ve made up my past. You are my present. And, I hope I see you in the future. I’m gonna miss you all so much! To everyone, thank you making this moment possible. I know I am truly blessed. Please, never forget me, because I could never forget you, even if I tried. Remember. This is not good-bye. One day our roads will meet again. Just believe. Thank you.