Megan Lucks
CSS Valedictorian
Good afternoon administrators, teachers, family, friends, and most importantly, the grads of 2011.
To those who suffer from ephebiphobia, that being the fear of teenagers, you would think this would not be the best place for you. However, you would be mistaken.
Today, we, as grads, embark on the rest of our lives as adults. With the combined help of our friends, family, and teachers, we have victoriously made it through high school and it is officially time for us to step forth into the real world.
Before I jump into the body of my speech, I would like to give everyone a brief synopsis about its creation.
I wanted to represent the grad class using their very own words.
So those who chose to participate wrote down a word, with a brief definition, and I have incorporated these words into my speech.
In order to sufficiently represent such a diverse group of people, I needed to use their very own terms. In my opinion, together we collaborated on a spectacular speech — a true measure of teamwork.
We unfortunately are lacking the presence of a beautiful human being, Ryan Naef. He was one rumpshiss kid; he had the ability to light up a room with a single smile. Ryan was a gift, worth an infinite amount of dineros.
Although he may not be sitting here with us, he is fondly smiling over us from above, and is in the hearts of this graduating class.
It feels like just yesterday, we were little monkeys roaming the big halls of Columneetza. We were awestruck by the fact that we no longer had to wear indoor shoes, and had upgraded from cubby holes to half lockers.
In Grade 8 we had no idea what we were in store for. We didn’t know the Grade 12s would roll up the floor mats in front of the outside doors, and stand by the heaters to watch us:
A) trip over the mats when we walked back into the school, or B) focus on how lucky we were not to have tripped, that we ended up falling up the stairs instead.
We never knew what the kids at the bench were saying, or why they would clap when we walked by. Sadly, we thought just because we had a cellphone we were instantly cool, even if the only people who called us were Mom and Dad.
There were many things we were too young and naive to understand, but right from the get go, we knew we were going to stick together and help one another along this journey called high school.
Well grads, we started this year off with quite a bang. There were a salubrious amount of suspensions, that’s for sure.
Starting with the Dirty Dozen, and ending with Brown Town, I think we made history guys.
It was a pretty busy year for administrators, sorry Dad!
Lucky for them though, they had two impeccable replacements if need be, our very own Jake Tazelaar and Kolby Taylor.
We didn’t make Columneetza history solely for our “mistakes,” oh no, we did some pretty ravishing things this year.
Caitlin Langford received a full scholarship to University of Northern B.C. In zone’s tournaments Manpreet Rhandawa and Aman Kang received all-star awards for basketball, while in volleyball Tara Sprickerhoff received an all-star award.
Terris Billyboy earned the title of High School Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality.
Case Grindley and Jeremy Nicholson were both featured in a major rap concert, and these are just a few of the bombastic achievements of Columneetza’s 2011 grad class.
We are also a memorable class for the ridiculous nicknames we have.
From the Stallion, who was more of a donkey if you know what I mean, to Pip, Billu, Triple D and even Megan cubed.
To say the least, we have not been a grad class known for our shortage of words.
Together we created some pretty awesome memories.
Ms. Mayall and Ms. Kaufman were gracious enough to supervise us on the science trip this year, but unfortunately for them, it landed on April Fool’s Day.
I don’t think Ms. Mayall will ever erase the mental image of Coltin Ashley standing in that doorway with his back side facing her. I feel for you Mayall, I really do.
Grad kidnapping, now that was one heck of a night! Seeing all the boys dressed up in skimpy outfits, confidently parading around the fire has become a high school memory that will last a lifetime.
And of course, sports trips. I have made some lifelong friends through sports; we went from teammates to sisters. Whoever was part of a Columneetza athletic team knew that nothing could compare to a weekend away playing your favourite sport with your second family.
Look at this bunch sitting behind me; I know for a fact we are one class that will make a difference in this world. Future doctors like Felicia Aggiss, engineers like Erik Groenenberg, architects like Jessica Ball, and even cops like Hardet Nijjar are going to shape and mold this world into a better place.
When I come back home to visit, I really look forward to the day I get pulled over by Hardet.
The grad year 2011 signifies many things. For example, in his high school career, I am pretty sure Sam Rivera was late 2011 times, but, it’s not his fault, he just never could catch that darn bus!
The 2011 amazing chicken dinners our parents cooked us over the years, which at the time we may not have appreciated, but next year when we’re living off of Kraft Dinner and Mr. Noodles, rotisserie chicken will sound delicious!
Lastly, the amount of grey hair we gave our teachers over the past five years is close to, who am I kidding, well over 2011!
Don’t worry though, our teachers definitely knew how to get even:
• The famous Routtu talk, which ended in a total life re-evaluation
• The degrading “One-Two-Root Three” sing along by Ms. Basran.
• Having to make a fool out of yourself explaining to Madame Oke why you were late, in a language that you did not understand.
• And the infamous assigning of a test for first block the morning after grad camp out.
As Henry Ford once said: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Together we have achieved what we set our minds to ... graduation.
I would like to send out a huge thank you to every person who has helped us fulfill our goal of graduating.
To the heroes who inspired us, the parents who persevered, and the teachers who helped us realize our potential, a big round of applause is deserved; without you, who knows where we’d be.
I am truly honored to represent such a diverse and determined group of people.
I hope when you look back on your high school days, you can’t help but smile.
High school is an important milestone, often reflected upon.
I will miss each and every one of you.
However, this is not a farewell; it is the typical cliché, “see you later.”
We will reunite in the summers to come, future Christmas holidays, and of course high school reunions.
The reunions where we will brag about our job titles, rambunctious adventures, fancy houses, and cute babies; it seems absurd to think that far down the road, but look how fast high school went by, time sure flies.
I wish the best of luck to all of the grads of 2011, and hope to see you surpass your zenith.
When you seem to be in a pickle, I hope you find the strength and determination within to pull through.
Life is a discovery, make the most of the opportunities you are presented with.
Sech-an-al-ya, and for those of you who do not speak Chilcotin, thank-you.
As a team we walk across this stage leaving behind high school and entering adulthood.
I hope everyone has a safe and amazing evening tonight.
Good luck to the grads of 2011, we did it guys!