Valedictorian Lindsey Schneider shares words of wisdom with her fellow graduates and all those gathered in the Grove for Saint Mary's commencement exercises on May 21, 2017.
Good morning graduates, parents, families, friends, faculty, and the classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020.
I would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who has helped the Class of 2017 reach today. Thank you, Dr. Gillespie, Dean Healy, and Dean Owen for guiding our class through our years of high school. Thank you to our advisors, teachers, parents, and families for supporting us as we grew both inside and outside the classroom. We would not be graduating today without your help.
Today is a bittersweet day.
It is exciting as we think about where we are going and the opportunities ahead. It reminds me of starting here as a freshman. I can still remember the nervous excitement I felt as I walked into Smedes Hall on the first day of school. We were all excited to make new friends and experience the wonders of high school.
It is also sad as we remember the great times we've had together as a class. From the dance-offs, Raves, the 9th grade sleepover, musicals, Spring Flings, and Outward Bound, to Echo performances, challenging classes, Sigma-Mu days, Lightings of the Grove, and the Junior Ring Banquet, we have formed lasting memories and grown closer as a class. We have changed over the past four years, supporting each other through laughter, sadness, and excitement. From young 9th graders we have grown to be the strong, confident women that we are today. Over our time spent here, Saint Mary's has taught us what it means to care for each other and how to be empowered young women who are prepared for what the future holds.
As for me, I am and always have been a stubborn person. As a young child, for whatever reason I was completely convinced that Starbucks was pronounced Starbocks. No matter how many times my mom told me I was wrong and said the correct way to pronounce it, I refused to believe her. One day after learning how to sound out words, I looked at the Starbucks sign and said, "Hey! How come its spelled b-u-c-k-s if its pronounced Starbocks?!" This was a moment that would teach me two things. One: if you do something silly as a child your parents will tell the story for at least the next 15 years. Two: education is a gift that we are so lucky to have received. Without education, I would be living in a world where Starbucks is pronounced as Starbocks. Education not only teaches us new things, but also gives us opportunities to succeed in the future. We are lucky to have received our high school education at a place as excellent as Saint Mary's. Saint Mary's has prepared us for our next step, whatever it may be. The school has given us the tools to succeed in the world, and it is now up to us to go out and use them.
As we sit here in the Grove among our fellow classmates who have helped us reach this moment, it is important to slow down, look around, and enjoy the moment. A high school graduation is something you'll only experience once, so take a minute and savor this time.
To the classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020: whether you have one, two, or three years left at Saint Mary's, make sure you appreciate it. Some days will go by so slowly, you'll be stressed by homework and other pressures, and it'll seem like the day when you graduate will never come. However, I can assure that the day will come. You will look back on your time here with fondness, and you will wish for just one more assembly, one more lunch with your friends, one more time to sing "loud boiling test tubes" in the chapel.
To the class of 2017: we made it! I have loved every minute with you, and I will never forget the memories that I have made over the past four years. Although it is with mixed emotions that we celebrate this day, we can choose to focus on the joy of finishing high school, ready for the next phase of our lives.
I would like to end this speech with the words of Harry Styles.
"Just stop your crying, have the time of your life. Breaking through the atmosphere, and things are pretty good from here."
Congratulations, class of 2017, and thank you to everyone who has helped us reach today!
Lindsey Schneider '17
Valedictorian, Class of 2017
May 21, 2017