June 2017
Iroquois County Commencement Speeches
Page 5
Iroquois West High School STEPHANIE ORR — Valedictorian Good afternoon teachers, friends, parents, and fellow graduates. It truly is such an honor to be speaking here today for the Graduation of the Class of 2017. Today is the day; we are finally graduating. For me, along with most of the graduates, it has been 1,376 days from our first day of high school on August 21, 2013 to today, May 28, 2017. If you’re anything like I am and put everything in a number format, that is also 3 years, 9 months, and 7 days. I am fairly certain I can speak for most of us graduating seniors when I say that this time went by incredibly faster than any of us ever imagined. Everything within those 3 years, 9 months, and 7 days happened so fast: from getting our permits and licenses, taking our first, second, third, or even fourth ACTs, to attending school dances, and applying to colleges. I think I can also speak for the majority of us when I say that it seems like just yesterday we were roaming the halls as freshmen, trying Photos by Wendy Davis to figure out where our next class was as Stephanie Orr delivers her the upperclassmen seemed speech as the Iroquois West’s to have everything figured out. Now, 2017 validictorian. here we are as the upperclassmen, ready to begin the next stage of our lives. Yet, we still can’t help looking back on our accomplishments and hardships within these past four years. Graduating from high school is obviously a huge milestone for our early lives which should be recognized and celebrated. All of us worked very hard to get to this point and our hard work has indeed paid off and will continue to do so. Even though it is such an exciting time to be graduating from high school, it is also important to realize that graduation is not an end goal. We will take different paths right after high school, whether attending college, starting a career, or joining the military. No matter what the final goal is, this day, May 28th, 2017, should serve as the next step. Of course, we haven’t made it to this point alone; therefore, I would like to express gratitude towards every single parent in this gym today. You have supported and encouraged us every step of the way. Even though we may
not like to admit it, you were right about pretty much everything. Thank you for staying up late to help us study, packing our lunches in the early mornings before school, attending our sporting events, and dealing with our complaints. You have supported us in so many more ways than we could ever think of. On behalf of myself and the rest of the graduating seniors, I would also like to thank everyone of our teachers we have had throughout our high school years; without you, we would not be celebrating this occasion. It has indeed been a long, but at the same time, short four years at Iroquois West High School, and even though we have worked hard to get where we are, we would not have been able to do it without the knowledge given, time offered, and talents shared from every teacher. It’s been a long four years because of all the late nights spent doing homework and projects after sporting events, typical high school drama, and hours dedicated to writing College English papers for Mrs. DeFauw. But it’s been a short four years because of the lifelong friendships created, late nights spent with friends, memories made, and valuable lessons learned that will stick with us for the years to come. And, of course, I express my gratitude towards those who have been a part of our four years at Iroquois West High School. To Nancy and Linda, thank you for making sure everything runs seamlessly not only in the office, but throughout the entire school as well. To Mr. Houberg and Mrs. Redwitz, thank you for keeping every one of us on track, making our school a better place, and for your words of encouragement and advice. Finally, I would like to thank my friends. It truly is a blessing to have been able to spend these past thirteen years of school with such amazing classmates and friends. We have all made friendships throughout high school and those people have shaped us into who we are today and are the reason why our high school years have been so great. Every memory I’m sure many of us seniors have is so great because of the people we were able to share those experiences with. I will forever be grateful for the friendships formed over these last four years. Even though some were more casual and others were closer, I will continue to be thankful for each one of them. It is incredibly exciting that after four years of doing projects, homework, laughing, taking naps in class, studying, and enjoying time with our peers that we are just about done with our high school careers. That being said, I would like to wish every single one of my fellow graduates success in whatever endeavors you participate in and success in contributing in a positive way to our society. I hope that you all work hard to achieve what you desire and inspire others to achieve their goals along the way as well. Class of 2017, I hope you all make the most of your bright futures, and, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you all good luck. Thank you!
JORDYN DAVIS — Salutatorian
the conclusion that I think I would be better off winging it, again classic high schooler. ThinkHello everyone, and welcome to the graduation ing back, freshman year does not seem that long ago. Walking into those doors as little freshmen, of your class of 2017. I don’t think any of us really I would like to start off knew what to expect. Over our by saying thank you to four years in high school though, everyone who is here we learned a lot. Not only classtoday. Thank you for room lessons, but we have also helping us, supporting learned life lessons that we will us, and making us who take with us into our futures. We we are today. You all learned from our mistakes, tried have made significant new things, became really good impacts on our lives and at procrastinating, and overcame we are forever gratemany obstacles that life threw our ful for that. When I was way. So Iroquois West Class of initially told that I would 2017, look around. Next to you be writing this speech, I are the people you have grow was very unsure where up with, built friendships with, to begin. So, I did what Stephanie Orr delivers her and made everlasting memories every high schooler does, speech as the Iroquois West’s with. Though we added some Googled it. After read2017 validictorian. people along the way, including ing some tips, I came to
GILMAN FERTILIZER
CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES McMILLAN INSURANCE
Member FDIC
GILMAN AUTO PARTS KRAFT, INC.
myself, these are people that you will remember for years. As you look around further, you see the people who have helped raise you and shape you into who you are today. Whether these be family, teachers, or community members, these are the people who we need to show gratitude to. They have made many sacrifrices and differences in our lives to help us make it to where we are today. I would personally like to thank my family, friends, and all my supporters for everything they have done for me to be standing here in front of you all today. I couldn’t have done it without all of you guys. To my fellow graduates, I encourage you to make a positive difference in others’ lives like others have done for you. I hope the best for each and every one of you sitting in front of me. Some say that because we are from a small town we cannot achieve greatness. However, I know we can all achieve great things and make a difference in this world in our own way. So, what do you say class of 2017? Ready to prove them wrong? I say lets do it!
A DIVISION OF EDGAR COUNTY BANK & TRUST CO. www.theprospectbank.com Champaign • Gilman • Watseka EQUAL HOUSING LENDER MEMBER FDIC