GRADUATION
ERIN JACOBS
Good morning I have attended quite a few graduations, and I
worst time, providing a bonding moment for every poor
completely understand that feeling of dread as someone
soul caught behind them. Mr. Ventre’s house has stood as a
walks up to this mic and begins to go on and on about new
welcoming landmark in the wee hours of the morning. Even
chapters and experiences in life and all of that stereotypical
as my feelings when arriving fluctuated from excitement
graduation crap. So, to begin, here are the three things
to nervousness to exhaustion, that house stood as a pillar
Wikipedia says I need to put in a gradation speech….I’m just
of consistency and a reminder that everything would be
kidding; I know the entire GCS humanities department would
there the next day. On that drive, I always knew I would be
give me a very disappointing look if I cited Wikipedia in my
greeted by teachers that cared. Class of 2021, my point is
graduation speech. Let me start with something simple:
things have changed in our time here at GCS. People have
Class of 2021, we did it. I know there were days when today
left. We have grown. Our lives have grown complicated. But,
felt like it would never come. Like, when we received our
I encourage you to look at the moments that have remained
password to the school computers and Mrs. Dodge told us
the same. Being grateful for past consistencies helps us
to type in “dragons21.” I remember asking what the 21
become willing to take a leap of faith into change.
meant and was told it was the year we graduated. June 2021 was so far away. Fast forward to Lower School, and our
Now, this wouldn’t be a graduation speech without a few
grade was lectured by Mrs. Wooleyhand about why our
thank-yous. To Mrs. Prantl, Mrs. Wooleyhand, and Mr. Ventre:
behavior at the Goddard Space Center was unacceptable.
like us, your time here is coming to a close, and I could give
Apparently climbing on exhibits wasn’t a good look. She
an entire speech dedicated to your sacrifices to better this
said the class of 2021 needed to grow up. Man, 2021 was
school and community. But I don’t think words do it justice,
so far away. Even last year, all of us struggling to somehow
so I just want to say thank you. I hope you each enjoy some
complete physics problems and memorize Moby Dick
lovely and much-deserved time away. To my classmates and
passages, 2020 felt like it would never end, and June 2021
friends: thank you for the daily laughs, crying sessions, and
was so far away. But at last, here we are, and here it is.
moments of joy. You are my family, and I am so proud of us for making it here. We have bonded together, held strong,
As I think about my time here, I find myself reminiscing about
and come out stronger as a group and as individuals. We will
the small details of my daily life over the years. Weirdly
all go our separate ways, but I ask you to cherish our moments
enough, I’ve become increasingly fascinated with my drive
together, as I know I will.
to school each morning. There is a lot to learn from that drive.
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A lot has changed. I drive on my own to school, which is a
So, this is it. June 2021 is here. We graduate today! As we take
considerable upgrade to sitting in the back seat while my
our diplomas, I ask that you keep in mind a few things. Be
dad drove me to primary school and my brother to middle
grateful for the people who have gotten you this far. Remember
school. The speed limit on Folly Quarter went from 45 to 35
the little moments that made the journey that much better.
and, judging by the speed some of the teachers I follow to
Be thankful for the consistency we have had here at GCS.
school drive on that road; I see you also don’t support that
Go Army beat Navy. And finally, may God look over you if
change. But, I would argue the best realization is noticing
you ever get stuck behind a biker on Folly Quarter Road.
the consistencies. Bikers always bike on Folly Quarter at the
Thank you, and congratulations, Class of 2021!
SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON
