Class of 2017, I would like to start by saying how humbled I am to be up here speaking on behalf of the senior class.
Seventeen years ago, my dad passed away from melanoma skin cancer, leaving my mom to take care of three young kids; my brothers were four and six, and I was about to turn two. During this time, we were surrounded by many family members and friends, but a certain group of people stood out the most. This group hailed from Saint Mary's – they were my mom's friends from her time as a student here and they were there for my family through it all. They have watched me grow up and these women continue to be a huge part of my life to this day.
My grandfather, being married to a Saint Mary's alumna, often says that Saint Mary's girls have a certain scent. While I would like to disagree with him on our so called "scent," I do agree that a Saint Mary's girl is of a special breed. Growing up surrounded by my mother's friends, I knew that I wanted to be of this breed. Since I was a little girl I have always aspired to be half of the person that these women are, and because of Saint Mary's I believe that I am getting close to my goal. And, although it has taken me a while to get here, I am thankful to say that I have made it into this special sisterhood.
I could not have made it through this Victory Lap without the 76 girls sitting out in front of me. We have had trials and triumphs along the way and we have finally made it. I could not be more excited to share this time with y'all. We are a family and we will continue to be one long after our time here as Saint Mary's students comes to a close.
The class of 2017 is filled with some of the best people I know. We are a group of girls that stand up for what we believe in and fight until we are heard, and boy can we be heard. When passionate about something, we give it our all and this includes being passionate about one another. The support system that this class provides is unparalleled. Whether we gather in Bacon Gym, Nimocks field, Pittman Auditorium, Chapel, or anywhere else to support our fellow classmates, we come in full force. Our time has been like a roller coaster with ups and downs but through it all we have stuck together. Our time can be measured by new friendships gained, celebratory senior mornings, One Direction's *break* - may they live on forever, our big win in the dance off, the ring banquet, Echo performances, and senior nights just to name a few.
I hope that I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say that, in one way or another, Saint Mary's has provided us with the confidence to step out of our comfort zone and truly be the best version of ourselves. I am an illustration of this point – when I came to Saint Mary's you never would have caught me on stage, speaking in public but now, here I am, sharing our story in front of strangers and best friends alike. The friends I have made have allowed me to be myself, no matter how weird, dysfunctional, or hyper I can be. From sonic trips, roller skating nights at Jelly Beans, car rides screaming our heads off to our new favorite songs, and the excessive amounts of 'Dillo queso consumed, we have experienced a bond that only Saint Mary's can provide.
When I came to tour Saint Mary's on a warm spring day three years ago, I felt strangely at home in this place that in the same way felt so foreign to me. The smiles I received as I walked to classes trying my best not to look like a lost prospective, the invigorating conversations to which I was invited to contribute, and the ambiance I felt on that day, drew me to this place. After my first month as the new kid, I started to feel as though I was not so new anymore. The faces of what used to be strangers became more and more familiar. Driving back to school after a quick summer break I was anxious about starting classes again, but the excitement about getting back to all of you overcame any worries I had. Senior year has flown by before our eyes and I would give anything to take one last dreaded walk to East Park or have one last late night on dorm hanging out with friends way past my bedtime.
Although we will all be leaving the comfort and familiarity of Saint Mary's to start a new chapter in our lives, I feel confident that we have been given the skills to take on whatever comes our way. I challenge each and every one of you to be that person that little girls, much like myself, look up to. We carry a huge responsibility once we walk out of the gates. We have been set up for success and I feel confident that we will all take advantage of it.
I know you are all twiddling your thumbs as you are eager to turn your tassels, so I would like to close with the words of one of my favorite songs. As we are reminded in the School Hymn to be "faithful friends and comrades sure," you all have been nothing short of those iconic and comforting words. I am so thankful for each and every one of you and the experiences that we have shared together. I could not think of a better group to walk across this stage with. I know some have had their doubts, but girlies, congratulations, we made it!
Mary Ashburn Mann '17
Senior Class Speaker