Viking Family Legacies

from FPD Summer 2021 Magazine

Alumni Notes

Today I have the great honor of welcoming you to the graduation of the Class of 2021. I would like to thank all of the families, friends, and faculty that have come today to celebrate with us this great accomplishment that without you all would not be possible. I hope to keep this speech short and sweet, but judging by the looks on my teachers’ faces, they probably don’t believe me. If you don’t know already, I’m the wordy girl when it comes to writing anything. I love words and how you can craft the most beautiful and amazing pieces of work while writing with them. Unfortunately, that means that I will write a twelve-page, Halloween-themed short story because I missed in the directions that it was only supposed to be four to six pages at max. I’m still sorry, Ms. Newman. Despite my love for words, I struggled to find the words that capture what our time here at FPD has meant to us. Many of us could describe our time at FPD as filled with fun, friends, sports, fine arts, and

learning. However, I don’t think these words give our time at FPD enough justice. In all honesty, I don’t think many words could. Last summer, I was doing a college interview and the person asked me how long I had attended FPD. I told them I had been here since kindergarten, to which he responded, “Well, I guess you’re a lifer then.” I was taken aback after he said it and it took me a minute to figure out what he meant. I didn’t associate the fact that he implied that 13 years at the same school could seem like a prison sentence. I, like all of us here, do not see this school as a prison, but rather a second home. It is a place where we laid the foundations of friendships in elementary school and have seen them mature into deep and personal relationships that will last the rest of our lives. It is a place where you can see students and faculty filled with the Spirit of Christ, which can be seen in how they carry out their lives. FPD is a place where teachers, directors, and coaches have pushed us to be our best, not only for the sake of making good grades, putting on a good performance, or winning state, but because they want to see our character and relationship with God grow and mature. FPD is a place where we have been able to connect with our teachers and witnessed how they want to see us grow in and out of the classroom. One of my favorite examples of this involves that twelve-page story I previously mentioned. After I realized I had written nearly double the maximum length for the short story, I began to freak out to say the least, and I was sure I was going to fail the assignment. I came into Ms. Newman’s classroom on the verge of tears with the plan to beg her to see if there was an extra credit opportunity, since I knew my grade would be rough, to say the least. Instead of being met with the expected “you’ll have another assignment to bring up your grade,” Ms. Newman did something that I would never guess in a million years. She told me that she never wanted me to stop writing, and that I needed to write creatively outside of class more. Instead of giving me a bad grade, she pointed out how I could improve as a creative writer and make my story more entertaining. If you could not tell from her example, our teachers at FPD take an interest in their students and want to build relationships with them. Not only have our amazing teachers taken a personal interest in what we do in and outside of the classroom, but they also lead by example as Christians and have encouraged us to grow and mature in our faith. At the beginning of the school year, if you are lucky enough to be in one of Coach A’s classes, you will hear him say that he will do anything for his students. When I was a freshman in Honors World History, it was easy to take his statement with a grain of salt and dismiss it as the typical first day of school fluff, but by the end of my time as a sophomore in AP Euro, I knew that every word he said was true. I know that all of us who have had him can attest. For a while, it puzzled me why he would do that for all of the students, but later I realized the reason. Through all of his actions and love, Coach A was demonstrating Christ’s love for us so that we could come to know Him and grow in our faith. However, this is not a mutually exclusive example, but it lies in the core of FPD. This is a place where we have been educated and equipped to change the world for God’s glory and have been given the foundation to do so. I hope you are now able to see how special our time has been here at FPD, though I know my words could never do it justice. Not only is the school such a special place, but I will miss all of the amazing moments that we had together as a class. I will miss our competitive spirit during Spirit Week. I will miss cheering for my classmates during relays and the joy on our faces when we finally won this year. I will also miss being able to see the wonderful talents of all of my classmates that we have celebrated in different ways. I will miss feeling the excitement on campus before every home football game and seeing my fellow classmates in the crowd during theatre performances. I will miss walking in the Fine Arts building and seeing all of the amazing artwork of my classmates in the halls. Also, I will miss the kind heart of our grade, which has given our school a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I will also miss the hilarious memories that have been made in classes and the hours of laughter we have shared together. I am so thankful that we have been able to call each other classmates over the years, and I am so grateful God allowed me to know you. Over the past years, the class of 2021 has been privileged to be able to spend our time here. I know that I speak for everyone when I say that I would like to thank those who have made it possible. I would like to thank all of my amazing teachers who have pushed me to grow as a student and person, and I know without them, I would not be standing here as Salutatorian today. I would also like to thank all of the parents and families who have sacrificed so much to send us to this school. I would like to thank the coaches and directors who have pushed me through trials I thought I could never overcome, so that I could come out stronger in the end. I would like to thank my friends who have been a source of laughter, fun, and joy throughout all of the highs and lows. Most importantly, I would like to thank God for allowing me to come to this amazing school and be a part of this incredible class of people. Though it has not always been easy, FPD has become a place where we have shared our tears and victories, and leaving here will feel like leaving a part of me behind. I am so thankful that I got to know you all these past years, and I will also have this school and its people in my heart. Thank you.

SALUTATORY ADDRESS: Caroline Gilbert

Salutatorian: Caroline Gilbert Valedictorian: Megan Smith

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS:

Megan Smith

Our class is an impressive balance between academic and extracurricular success. This makes sense because a foundational trait of FPD is its demand for both excellence on the field or stage, as well as the classroom. And, if you were like the softball team and me, you were lucky enough to have Coach Self remind you of this call of excellence every time you slacked off. In addition to FPD’s universal standard, the Class of 2021 is especially dedicated to developing our individual talents while also supporting the talents of our classmates. There is not one person walking across this stage today who lacks talent. Part of what makes this class so unique is our ability to remain a class united in purpose while having a mix of actors, dancers, artists, multiple committed athletes, and robot programmers that makes up our class.

The exciting part about this already diverse class is that we have only just finished our foundational years and have the rest of our lives to expand on our interests and talents. I am sure many of us do not know where we will be in the next five years, but I have no doubt that our dedication and surprising competitiveness will help us become active and successful members of society no matter what field we choose. I am proud to be a part of the graduating Class of 2021.

For years we have heard that FPD is only a small, isolated part of the world, and that we will be in for a shock when we go to college. Because of this, the message we have been told is that we must stay true to who we are and stand up for ourselves. While I agree with this message wholeheartedly, I think a message that is just as important, but often overlooked, is that we need to be willing to try new things. The most important lesson I learned in physics is that you’re not learning if you’re not failing. Throughout my high school career, my failures, not my successes, motivated me to grow strong and overcome the challenges I faced.

We are about to be introduced to many opportunities, and it would be a shame to miss out on them because we are too scared to leave our comfort zone. We are blessed to live in a country where we can try new things, fail miserably, and still have another chance. College is the perfect place to learn what we are made for and what we are not. As T.S. Elliot said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go.” So, as we receive our diplomas today, I hope we hold onto what we have learned at FPD over the years and move confidently into the next stage of our lives, ready to take risks, and to learn along the way.

I have faith that our experience at FPD has prepared us, and I am excited to see the impact I know we will make. Thank you.

VIKING FAMILY Legacies

CLASS OF 2021 GRADUATES & FAMILY ALUMNI

Walker Andress & Wilson Andress ‘18

Bryce Ball ‘19 & Lauren Ball Jack Beeland & Janie Beeland ‘16 Rebecca Black ‘10, Will Black ‘14, Garrison Black, Todd Sparks ‘83, Emily Sparks ‘11, Megan Sparks ‘14 (not pictured)

Bella Bossé-Joseph ‘19 & Gabby Bossé-Joseph Tucker Bryant ‘18, Tate Bryant, Shannon Lyles Bryant ‘93 Evan Correa ‘18 & Andrew Correa

Mac Grice ‘18, Julie Ann Grice, Bentlie Grice Black ‘14

(Back Row) Bryce Little ‘15, Olivia Little ‘18, Carla Kemper Morton ‘80, Cole Morton ‘15, Kathy Kemper Little ‘83, Hannah McCommon ‘12, Matt McCommon ‘12, (First Row) King Kemper ‘90, Avery Kemper