Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” Ever since freshman year, the moment a minor inconvenience happens, the first thing to come out of my mouth is “I can’t wait to graduate.” But now that I’m here, I find myself feeling so happy but sad at the same time because, as much as I wanted to graduate, it doesn't amount to the fond memories I made in high schoo

Class of 2026, family, friends, teachers, it is an incredible honor to stand before you this afternoon. And not to sound like a broken record, but what a wild ride these past four years have been. For some of us, high school brought about unforgettable memories, friendships, and moments we’ll carry forever. For others, it brought challenges, pressure, fear, uncertainty, and days that felt impossible to get through. For myself, and most of us, it was a healthy mix of both. I

Good morning families, students, staff, administration, and fellow graduates. Today, we are sitting here preparing to begin a completely new chapter of our lives. And for many of us, including myself, that is honestly a little scary. Graduation comes with something we have not fully experienced before: the responsibility to make our own decisions. For the first time in a long time, there is no perfectly clear path in front of us. There is no answer key telling us whether th