Amanda Schwartz - Valedictorian Speech Welcome graduates, families, teachers, and everyone else who has supported us through all our years here in Windsor. So first off, I’d like to start with a huge Congratulations to the Class of 2017! We did it! All those hours of work, the senioritis, the countless essays, all paid off to get to this moment. After 13 years of schooling, we’ve all been taught in our English classes to create a thesis and expand upon it, and don’t forget to answer the prompt! But this is not an just an essay about Hamlet, this is about our future. There is no prompt for the future. All of our destinies, which can go in a thousand different directions. How can I possibly write about all of that? There is no feasible way I could attain such a perfect speech, which is why I am writing this speech for me, with the messages I believe had the most impact in my life. This speech, from a random girl some of you don’t even know, is a bit irrelevant to your lives. But what I am hoping to accomplish today is to show you all how important your individual lives are, and how much the decisions you make can create a lasting impact. What truly matters is not this speech, but your futures and your stories. So: what do I believe is important in life? Taking action. Based on your beliefs, your culture, your passions: whatever you do in your futures do it with conviction. By actually undertaking your decisions, we can experiment and try so many different things. Some of you may already feel confident in who you are as a person, some of you may not. But either way, after today, it is your responsibility to continue trying new things. You never know what you’ll end up loving or how you could end up changing the world unless you try. A big theme throughout my life has been taking risks in every aspect. Next year, we are all going to be faced with so many new and different experiences, whether you’re staying at home or traveling halfway across the country. We have all grown up so comfortable with where we are and who we are as individuals, but next year I am asking you all to consider the opposite. Take risks wherever you are next year, whoever you are with. Now, obviously my life is not something to be completely modeled after (unless eating a pint of ice cream a night is your thing), but I believe everyone can learn from this simple mantra, adults included. The possibilities for your futures are endless if you only branch out from your current comfort zone. You must take social risks in your futures. You’re going to encounter a lot of new people on your journey through life. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and talk to new people. Last year a lot of my own friends graduated, and I was left very concerned for my social life this year. I don't know where I would be now if I didn't take the leap to make new friendships in August, when some think it is too late to form a lasting
relationship. I have made some of my best friends this year, and look forward to making even more next year and beyond. But do not be afraid to break off old relationships that are holding you back. Life is too short to waste on people that don’t help build your character. Academic risks are also extremely important. Many of you have decided to continue your academic careers next year, and many of you are entering college pretty certain about what classes you’ll like. You think you’re a math person, or a history person, or anything in between. But if you’ve never tried basket-weaving or a CAD class before, how would you know it’s not your secret calling? Last year, I took a major risk deciding to take AP Computer Science after never coding before in my life. It was something I'd always wanted to try, and although it was without question one of the hardest classes I've ever taken, I don't regret it in the slightest. Even though from that class I learned I didn't want to be a computer scientist, the fact that I tried it out for a year finally answered all my questions about my life relating to the subject. The more you learn, the more fulfilled your life will be, so don’t restrict yourself based on incorrect predetermined notions about your personality. As a member of this year’s class, we are entering an extremely divided world. Coming from a small town in Connecticut, it is no wonder we are so tolerant of others. It is a beautiful thing. But when traveling to unfamiliar places, do not forget these core values. People outside of this town may not see the world the same way you do, but do not be afraid to express your beliefs. Go to a march for something you believe in, join the GSA at your college. I myself am so excited to be able to take the values of our town to a large southern city and find my place helping others see that every human life is infinitely valuable. I believe in you all to continue making empathetic and logical decisions in your futures, and continue doing what inspires you. We must be more environmentally and socially responsible for our actions, and above all keep working. This is the generation, you are the people, that are going to truly make a difference on the world. Our planet needs us more than ever. America needs engineers, politicians, and so many more people to fight for the wellbeing of the earth to make up for the momentum we have lost backing out of the climate change agreement. There are so many ways to continue fighting, no matter who stands in your way. So I guess if I had to leave you all with a fragment of advice from my life, I would say that this is the point where your work starts. This is where you begin to take risks, actually work on what you want, and as my idol Bill Nye says, “Dare I say it, save the world”! The repetition of this phrase may sound a little cheesy, but can truly be made a reality with high levels of dedication. This speech was an internal reflection on my life, me talking for myself. What truly will matter in your futures is not this speech about my experiences, but how you choose to talk about yourselves. Write for yourselves, speak for
yourselves, experience things for yourselves. Remember, your life is like an English essay, and it is solely you responsible for what is written on every page. This fleeting speech will become a distant memory in a few months, but your actions and how you pave the way to your futures will not. Make actions, and take risks. There’s a million things we haven’t done, but just you all wait. As my favorite president Abraham Lincoln once said, “Be excellent to each other, and party on dudes!” Thank you all for listening, and I wish you the best of luck.