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2002 Commencement Address
By Rebecca E Bishophall
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edited: Friday, October 29, 2004
Posted: Saturday, October 05, 2002
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2002 WMST's Co-Salutatorian speech
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, parents, friends, and graduates, today is a day that will go down in history. Not only is this the first time WMST has had two salutatorians, but also we are WMST's first full graduating class. You know, my cousin told me at the start of high school, "Ninth grade you'll breathe in, twelfth grade you'll breathe out." I hadn't understood what he meant until Monday. I've helped to paint two murals that decorate the school, been involved in poetry club and on the soccer team,and been inducted into the National Honor Society. I still remember my History of Music class, Mr. Edmead teaching biotechnology, and having partitions for wall while we were in the basement of the mall. The years have flown by so quickly; it seems like in September I was involved in the bridge program. But after today, the long wait will finally be over.
As co-salutatorian, I would like to leave behind three pearls of wisdom. First, and most important, listen to those who want to help you. Most of the time it will be adults, such as your parents or teachers. They've already been through school and have more life experience than you do. The knowledge that they share with you may sound like something we're never going to need to know or the quotes we've heard so many times before. When your parents tell you to get up to be on time for school, you shouldn?t curse them out in your mind because at school you might just get detention but repetitive lateness can cost you your job. Arguing with your teachers is useless because they'll always win and arguing with your boss is another way to get discharged quickly.
Secondly, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Procrastination only leads to stress, which causes you to think you need rest and procrastinate some more. So many projects have been rushed and papers sloppily put together because I waited until the last minute. You may think that you do your best work under pressure, but if you take the time to start early, a sided effect of your best work won't be bags under your eyes.
Lastly, have many friends but accept your enemies. Friends are great boosters of confidence and will be there for you when you need them. They'll also support ideas that you have and help you the best way they can. In this society, there are always going to be people who would love to see you fail. If you have opposition like this, then the fruits of your labor will taste even sweeter when you succeed.
Although I wrote the many papers and turned in the assignments, there are many people who helped and coached me along the way. First, I would like to thank my mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather, and little brother and sister for driving me to and from school, coming to PTA meetings, allowing me to be a role model, and most importantly, believing in me. Family support is always important, and I can honestly say that I have one of the best support groups in the world.
There's a song whose chorus states that, "I get by with a little help from my friends." This statement could not mean more to me. My friends have been by my side through happiness an depression, when I had money and when I was po', when I was under the weather, and when I was on top of the world, and I hope we will stay togther till death do us part. Ashley, LaToya, Jerone, Toni, Keisha, Katherine, Candace, Sophia, Steve, Prince, Mike, Larry, De Carols, Marcellus, Norah, Antonio, Bobby, Kristy, ShaShawna, the poetry club, and anyone who has said hello to me in the hallways. I love you all and I whish you the best of luck in your future.
And behind every successful student there is a hardworking teacher. I have had so many who have become involved in my life that I've begun to think of them as extended family. Ms Robinson, Ms. Williams, Ms. King, Mr. Murray, Mr. Alston, Ms. Jones, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Ricks, and Mr. Carey. I will miss all of you. These are only a few of the names that have helped to shape me into the person you see before you.
In closing, I want to say to the juniors, I leave you with the goal of doing it better than we did, because I know you can, scoring higher on the AP tests because I know you will, and finding out how old Mr. Cary really is, because somebody has to.
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