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Megan McEvoy
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Graduation Speech 2006
Good morning parents, teachers, staff and especially
to the Eagles, graduating class of 2006! The first thing I would like to
say is Congratulations! We did it; we made it to graduation. Next, I would
like to introduce myself. My name is Megan McEvoy, and I'm a Red Sox fan.
I believe that the Red Sox are more than just a group of guys who play catch
and can hit a baseball really hard. They are a team of dedicated, committed,
and hard working members. They practice as a team, win games as a team, and
lose as a team, but whatever they're doing, they do it with tremendous spirit.
You could compare us, the eighth grade graduating class, to that team. Most
of us came to Lawrence Middle School as sixth graders. We were the underdogs-
going to a new playing field for the first time. We entered a major league
full of experienced players. Now we are the eighth graders, we are the experienced
players. We made our mark and hope to be remembered. We know now, how to
play the game. Certainly over the years there were strikeouts. Remember your
first 'F' on that science test? Or forgetting your English homework and thinking
the world was going to end? Well, it didn't. We always got another chance
to step up to the plate and redeem ourselves. Imagine; it is the bottom of
the ninth inning with two outs. David Ortiz just hit a sacrifice fly to tie
the score. Four to Four. Here comes Manny Ramirez. A couple of pitches later
and it's a full count. Here comes the pitch. SMACK! Over the green monster.
We win! We bounced back from behind, we won the game, and we are graduating
on stage. It was like Manny knew what he was doing the whole time. He just
likes to see us on the edge of our seats, sweating like crazy. We did that
to our parents sometimes too. It's like that 'D' on that "seemingly pointless"
history assignment; it was totally within our control. We were just testing
our limits, trying to get our parents on to the edge of their seats, we liked
to see them sweat. We chose whether or not to hit that perfect pitch, or
strike out. All of us got a turn to hit the ball and look where it got us.
Certainly not the Hall of Fame or even Fenway, but I would say graduating
on stage is close enough.
Leaving Lawrence will be sad because we have
to say good-bye to all our friends. Even though we say we’ll keep in touch,
we probably won't forever. We will be playing for another team, at separate
high schools. We have to leave the comfort of the Lawrence community, start
over in a new league, and leave the teachers and staff who made our jobs
easier and harder at the same time. They pushed us hard, but in the end they
trained us to smack that ball out of the park. We probably worked harder
than we ever had to get here and even though the activities were awesome,
we know we're leaving it all behind. Although we are all ready to go
to high school, we still wish there was one more inning in the game, just
a little more time.
Another part of the Red Sox analogy is the fans.
Our fans included our teachers, parents, friends, all the staff, and most
importantly, ourselves. It may not be all of Massachusetts, but it works.
When you got an 'A' on that major project, who cheered you on to do it again?
Your fans of course. Your fans stuck with you when you got a 'C' in math
on your progress report. They cheered you on till you raised it up to a 'B',
then an 'A'. Then they celebrated. If you don't know Red Sox fans, they celebrate
after a win. So, thank you, thank you to all my fans, your fans, our fans
that kept us going through middle school. We made it to the World Series.
We soared through the games. We played those finals, and we won. We won the
World Series. We are the Champions of '06. We made it.
Congratulations Eagles! Thank-you
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Robin Cho
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Memories "The moments
pass so quickly, but the memories last forever." When I read this sentence,
I think of so many different things. For example, I think of the time when
I had fun at a birthday party or when I watched the fireworks on July 4th
with my family. All these moments passed so quickly but they were imprinted
in my memory as clear as day even after so many years. No video or camera
can capture these events as readily as the mind can and retain these images
forever. Congratulations,
Eagles, class of 2006.
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Trisha Marquez
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Eagles, Class of
2006
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Olivia Dill
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Past Present and FutureGood morning family, friends, staff,
and most importantly fellow eagles. My name is Olivia Dill. Lately I've been
wondering what graduation really is. On the surface, graduation is a very
simple occasion, with a very simple purpose. On the surface, the only reason
we are here is so that we can be awarded written proof that we have made
it through the last three years without causing massive physical or mental
harm to ourselves or our school fellows. It is an occasion upon which we
say "Goodbye and Good luck"; but when can we ever be totally satisfied with
what we see on the surface? Underneath the hugs, tears and diplomas we find
several vital uses for graduation. Graduation is a time to look at who we
were, who we are, and who we want, and aspire to be.
When we look at who we were, we see
small children living a world where the simplest and oddest of things were
entertaining; Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and Sesame Street were always on,
and we found ourselves to be geniuses when we discovered the ability to fight
our way through any books with more than 25 pages. Scissors and glue were
forbidden objects and the top lockers towered above our heads. We were tiny
people loud and opinionated, and we never backed down from a verbal confrontation;
we were contented with who we were, and didn't really think much about changing
ourselves.
When we look at who we are now it
quickly becomes apparent that although the sweet and kind little girl or boy
has morphed into someone VERY different, the tiny child still remains. We
have moved on to Grey's Anatomy and CSI and found it boring and juvenile
to read books that are less than 200 pages. Not only are we trusted with handling
glue and scissors on a regular basis, we have been armed with iPods, cell
phones, MP3 players and many other electronic devises that our teachers compete
with for the prize of our attention. However we are still amused by things
that most definitely should not be amusing, and some of us are still, regrettably,
not tall enough to reach the top lockers. We are still extremely opinionated;
and I know that I have no problem engaging in verbal sparring matches, no
matter the time or place; just ask my parents. That tiny little kid never
fully went away, although we are trying to hide him or her in the background
and rush out of the present into the future, and into whom we will become.
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Alex Donabedian
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Graduation SpeechFirst of all, I would like to thank all of you
for coming to the Eagles 2005/2006 graduation. I would also like to thank
all of the teachers and parents who have helped all the students and me to
get through our time here at Lawrence Middle School. My time here has been
both rough and wonderful. Rough in a way that teachers have challenged me,
but I am glad they did. It has been wonderful in a way because teachers have
taught me new things that I can use now and throughout my life, and because
I have made new friends who will always be there no matter what. All in all,
we have all benefitted from our time at Lawrence Middle School.
I guess you could say that our time here has been like the life of a tree. In 6th grade, we were all just seeds newly planted at Lawrence Middle School. As our teachers watered us with knowledge, we grew and started to sprout but we still needed more nourishment. Then as we finished 6th grade and started 7th grade, we grew more and that sprout became a trunk with branches and leaves. Throughout that year we acquired more knowledge and grew more leaves and we saw our friends acquire knowledge and grow with us. Our friends fertilize our brains with life lessons, we've learned from them and they've learned from us. "As we transitioned from 7th grade to 8th grade we blossomed with beautiful flowers. Now we are sharing the knowledge that our teachers watered us with to help us grow. We used that knowledge to water the new seeds that had just been planted and we watched them grow. All of that growing and caring have made our roots stronger and have led us here to our graduation where we celebrate our growth. As we move on, we will still see all of us grow taller and spread our branches as we gain more knowledge throughout our lives. We will all remember how we started, at Lawrence Middle School. Remember that we are the Eagles and our moments passed so quickly but the memories will last forever. As Eagles we are able to sit upon the highest branches of these trees of knowledge and spread our wings to soar to our highest ambitions. |
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Rose Fliegel
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The Audition for Life"All the world's a stage, And all the men and
women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one
man in his time plays many parts " - William Shakespeare.
Good morning. As I have walked these halls the last couple of weeks and finished up with school work and this year's musical, I couldn't help but think that life really is like a stage. Being a student is one of the many roles that most people play. We've had to audition for all kinds of things here, new classes, clubs and even new groups of friends. Every moment of our time here has been a short scene in this play. The dramatic scenes were numerous for me. But the comedy has balanced that out. Romance was something I've definitely seen happen. From sixth grade crushes to lasting and real relationships. Then there were the filler scenes where much didn't happen but were an important part leading up to something new. In this school, I've never thought of our cliques as the cliché popular, geeks, jocks, etc. I have always thought that we've mixed well but now that I think back, we did have cliques. And each clique has its own leads, supporting characters and then the walk-ons or extras. Plays are usually stories of certain people and the people that surround them. That's how the groups in our school start. People start to hang out in an area and before you know it, there are other people trying to fit in, but some find they have to audition somewhere else. People have come in and out of my life these last three years. Friendships were made and broken. Bonds formed because of something great, but broken over something stupid. This year, I have made so many new friends it's hard to believe. I've also renewed some old and fixed some that were broken. When you work with a cast, you have to learn how to get along or the production is a disaster. So you tend to bond with people you normally wouldn't talk to and most of the time it works out for the better. When I receive a role, I create a background for that character, personality traits and a certain stance so that getting into character will be easier and so it seems real. We've all developed our character here. Going from sheepish sixth graders being pushed around to strong, independent eighth graders. Each scene is something unforgettable, and every character is important, even the extras because everyone you meet influences you in some way. Our class motto this year was "The moments pass so quickly, but the memories last forever." I honestly think that does apply to this year for me because I have learned so much inside and out of the classroom and experienced new things along the way. All in all, I have to say that I can't wait for my newest role as a freshman next year. Everyone I have met along the way has prepared me to take on a new role and begin the next chapter in my life. Congratulations Eagles class of 2006. |
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Samantha Garcia
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Soar high!As we say goodbye to our fellow classmates and
teachers, we realize that our middle school journey has come to an end. These
halls are filled with cherished memories. We remember when we were laughing
hysterically at an inside joke, or when we were just having fun with our
friends at a PAR activity. Although we shouldn't forget the good times, we
can't dwell on the past and be cut off from what is happening now. As our
class motto says: The moments pass so quickly, but the memories last forever.
From sixth grade on, we learned to take more responsibility for our actions, to be honest, to be willing to obey rules, and do what is right, and to be forgiving. We have mastered the six pillars of character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. We became older, wiser, and mature young adults. As a current educator here at Lawrence, would say, "The stupid people aren't the dumb ones, the dumb ones are the ones who don't correct their mistakes the second time around." In the sixth grade, everything was blurry, different, and intimidating. We had no idea what to be prepared for. As seventh graders, we learned more about middle school and counted the days until we were Kings and Queens of the school. It's been a harsh and long road. We finally made it! As Walt Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true...if we have the courage to pursue them." Another piece of advice from Gary Bolding, "Your families are extremely proud of you. You can’t imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.” Congratulations Eagles, Class of 2006. Soar
high!
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Valeria Gutierrez
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Soaring Towards the FutureCongratulations, Eagles, today is the day we
will finally begin to soar. The staff at Lawrence Middle School has
strived throughout three years to prepare us for the departure of this flight.
Today, we will begin to flap our wings of knowledge and depart from our friends,
our teachers, and from Lawrence. After today, we will attain additional freedom
to maneuver the direction of our destination. But at the same time, we will
be able to look back upon the memories of Lawrence and we will remember them
fondly. As we look back, we will laugh at the image of ourselves as startled
sixth graders, adjusted seventh graders, and confident eight graders. Our
class motto, "The moments pass so quickly, but the memories last forever,"
will prove true as the years pass by. Before long, we will all be in high
school and we'll be thankful that Lawrence nourished us with such a great
education.
That education has now become our wings that will finally enable us to fly. On this momentous day, let us express our gratitude towards our mentors, friends, and even enemies. We must thank our mentors for believing in us and for contributing so much to our mental development. We must thank our friends for bringing us up when we were flying low. It is also important to thank our enemies, for they have been a vital part of our growing up and learning how to deal with problems that will undoubtedly hit us again in adulthood. Those people we thought were malicious actually taught us the hard way to not be too vulnerable. Unknowingly, they have made us envelop ourselves with a protective blanket of confidence and self-respect. Therefore, looking back, I truly believe there were no enemies to be found here at Lawrence; there were just people preparing us for life beyond Lawrence's gates. Consequently, we must all bear in mind that today is not the end, it is merely the beginning of the rest of our lives. I hope that each and every one of you standing here today will reach the destination which you have begun to fly towards. For, no one dare curtail the firm flight of an eagle. Once again, Congratulations Class of 2006!!!
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Anna Horrocks
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The Train Ride of a LifetimeGood morning parents, faculty, friends and the
class of 2006. My name is Anna Horrocks, and when I first was assigned to
write this graduation speech, I thought that I should answer the question,
"How has Lawrence Middle School Changed My Life?" or, "In what way has LMS
inspired me to get through the hard times, the easy times, or the just plain
boring times?" Instead, I have decided to take a different approach in expressing
to you three years of knowledge in three short minutes. The story that I
am about to tell you might sound strange at the beginning, but hold in there-
it will make sense by the end.
The sun crept over the mountains as the morning dew twinkled in the sunrise. It was The Day...It had arrived. Hundreds of children climbed out of bed wondering, wishing, and hoping that they knew what would lie before them that warm autumn day. And, just before they could wave one more good-bye to their proud parents, they were swept away to the world of adolescence and maturity; it was time to enter The Station. Every single one of the children stood in awe at it was everything all of their older brothers and sisters had said- plus more. This train was the most magnificent thing they had ever encountered in their natural lives; from its gleaming wheels to its shining windows, the children knew that they were going to have great three-year trip. The single question, however, that still hung over each eager head was the destination for no one knew where the journey was going to take them. Forgetting their utter uncertainty, the children anxiously got into random cars with strangers that they would never have dreamed of calling comrades- let alone companions, and stared at the curtains that covered what looked like windows on the far side of the car's wall. It was going to be a long ride, so they knew they needed to get comfortable. As the ride started, conductors started to visit the cars, one car at a time, and told the children stories- each one more detailed and sophisticated than the last. Every time a conductor entered a car, the children in that car were told of the most amazing, beautiful land in the natural world- with luscious trees, glorious mountains, glistening oceans, and peace ringing in the air. Although these magical tales amazed the children, they had no idea why they were being told of such a mystical place. That is, until the next year began. By their second year, new conductors started to visit the trains, and one day at a time, pulled open the shade that covered their windows a little bit wider. The children were perplexed- why weren't they learning anything like math or English this year? However, by the middle of this second year, the shades were open far enough that they could see exactly why they were told these stories of that magical land- they were traveling through it. Every single one of the children knew right away that the land that they saw was what they had been dreaming about for the entire first year on the train. All of the children were abuzz with chatter as the final year approached- what would happen now? They already knew all about this land and had seen it from top to bottom. What was left? Well, to their surprise, the children found that, on the first day of their last year on the train, it stopped. No one knew what to do- the conductors were gone and the train has ceased to move... what was there left to do? Gradually, one by one, the children started to exit the train and realized exactly what had happened. The train had not broken down; this was merely the last lesson of their three years. As they walked out of the train, every single child was overwhelmed with the extravagance of the world they had entered. They learned that the trees were not luscious of fruit- but of wisdom, the mountains were not gloriously tall they swelled with glorious opportunity, and the oceans did not glisten with reflected sunlight, but with virtue and serenity. Now I am taking you back to reality to explain to you why I told you this story. Three years ago, each of us boarded a train- no, not a metro or a subway- but a real, traditional train. And, through the three years on this "train," we learned the most important lessons we could have ever learned, which is that life can not be comprehended through oral folk tales or observed through a glass window, but in order to understand life, you must be able to experience it at your own time, in your own way. Today, everyone is standing here in celebration of the memories of the last three years we have spent together; reflecting on everything that we have done. And, although this train ride has come to a halt, we are all prepared to board the next train into adulthood; one that we know will bring wonder and joy to all of us. So, I will leave everyone with this final thought- life, will be however you choose to conceive. I know that everyone standing here today would like to thank Lawrence for teaching us how to take responsibility over our lives into our own hands and experience it at its fullest. Thank you. |
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Mery Hounanian
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The End of the ChapterGood morning and welcome to the Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2006.We all
longed for this day to come, students, parents and teachers alike. We have
eagerly awaited this day, marking the days off the calendar in anticipation.
The wait is over. A few of our teachers might have begun the countdown before
us. They probably couldn't wait to get rid of us and enjoy the summer. That's
a shame, because I'll miss every single one of them and their sometimes annoying
quirks.
We can
consider our lives as books. We've been filling up the pages since we were
born. By the time we were able to recognize words and ideas, we were in grade
school, our third chapter. First it was Baby Years, then Toddler Days. The
beginning of sixth grade marked the beginning of a new chapter. It is filled
with the memories of the frightening eighth graders that towered over us,
and the large and confusing campus. I myself remember becoming lost on the
way from first period to second on the very first day of school. Over these
three years, our books, have become filled with adventures, mishaps, horrendous
grades and the pride of various accomplishments from opening up a frog to
surviving the mile run. We made friends, lost elementary school buddies and
talked about certain teachers and some of their cruel and unusual punishments
for our misdeeds. The pages were filled faster than you can say, "The moments
pass so quickly, but the memories last forever". The days, months and years
have escaped us, but the memories certainly won't. This year alone we battled
the dust storms with Billie Joe, witnessed witch trials, traveled with Pasquinel
and McKeag as the generation turned to Levi and Elly . We mourned the death
of an extremely likable fictional character that seemed to be an amalgam
of Cossete and Eponine from Les Miserables. We had learned about the various
elements and scribbled all over our Periodic tables. This chapter has reached
its conclusion.
I don't
want to close this chapter in my book. I escaped for a good portion of these
three years reading books when I wasn't with my friends. I was there when
Marius tried to reconcile with his grandfather. Emma is just as real and
clever to me as my mom. I was ecstatic to be done with the predictability
of middle school and ready to pursue bigger and better things. Yet, I truly
want to stay where I know people and am comfortable with myself. I finally
know where everything is, and now I'm leaving. These three years I tried
to plan my whole future.
I decided what I wanted to be when I was twelve,
after realizing I could never handle being a doctor; thanks to Ms. Lauritzen's
Health and Biology classes, though it did make me realize what I truly want
to do. As I was reading something to find inspiration for this speech, I
came across a quote by E.L. Doctorow, "You can see only as far as the
headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way". I had wasted precious
time trying to plan my life, when all I had to do was sit back, enjoy my
days here, and accept what happens. It was time that I could have spent time
with my friends or studying harder. You don't need to see exactly where you
are going in life. A general idea of what you want to do is all you need
at this age. The most important thing I learned here at Lawrence is just
that, stop trying to plan your life and enjoy what may come. This is my good-bye
and thank you to the school where I learned so much. It's officially time
to close this chapter and begin a new one. May your next chapter be as exciting
and crucial as this one.
Congratulations everyone. Thank you and good-bye.
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Amy Lee
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The EaglesIt seems
like it was only yesterday that we were born into the world of junior high.
We had left our protective shell of childhood in elementary school, and came
out as a newborn bird in sixth grade. It was that first year that really
shaped our minds. The teachers acted as our parents at school, teaching us
the mechanics of middle school, guiding us to make the right choices, advising
us on what to do now to benefit our futures. We began to learn to think logically
for ourselves, and also how to tend to our needs. Acquaintances were made,
and we got a chance to become comfortable in our new environment.
In seventh grade, we began to test our wings. Now that we had settled down comfortably into our new home, we had the time to flourish. Acquaintances bloomed into friendships that produced memories never to be forgotten. We grew upon these friendships and really delved into the world of thought, with academics and encouragement of critical thinking. We became brave enough to venture out on our own, doing extracurricular things like sports, joining Constellations and clubs, and becoming more social. We experienced the gruesome reality of the middle school and high school environments, encountering peer pressure and other things which influence our better judgment. However, with all of these experiences and memories under our belt, we were learning what was right and what was wrong. Now, we are here before the entire school on our graduation day, as the majestic Eagles into which we have matured. No longer are we the small and hesitant newly hatched birds that came into the school with anxiety and fear, although a part of that apprehension is still with us. We are the kings and queens of the school, the majestic and wise Eagles that have experienced the world of junior high through enlightened eyes. We have filled the hallways of this school with our memories, our experiences, and our laughter. We have strengthened our wings and our bodies, building in this school a second home and unbreakable bonds of friendship. These facts, in themselves, make it fitting that we should be a bit apprehensive of our graduation. Graduation seems to be a journey from the safety and familiarity of our homes into the realms of another world, similar to our own, yet totally different in many aspects. Yet, it is NOT an ending to a life in which we comfortably live. Rather, it is a beginning of a new stage in our lives, a newly revealed door of opportunity. Our experiences of three years in middle school have prepared us for the next step in our lives. So, seize this opportunity and use your newfound wings to soar above all expectations and make your way into the world! Congratulations Eagles, Class
of 2006!
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David Nolasco
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Three YearsThree years have passed here at Lawrence Middle
School Three years we've spent here. Another three years to add to our lives.
Three years that will be remembered and too many held sacred and very close.
Now we are here, gathered today to end these three years that we've spent
here. Many of us have memories to carry on with us. To some our memories
may be very simple but to us who experienced them, we know why they're special
and why they have a special place in our minds.
These three years were essential parts of our lives. These years helped mold us into whom we are and who we will be. They prepare us for the years ahead; the ones in high school and the others in our future lives. The Eagles, class of 2006, came to this school as immature little kids who would soon become young adults. We flew, looking for the right tree to build our nests in. We found our trees and built our nests. Now the seasons have passed and the time has come for us to leave our nest, move on and find somewhere else to build yet another nest somewhere else. The choices we've made these years have altered our future. Whether in a simple way or in a huge way, they have in fact altered our future. And as William Ellery Channing said, "Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." These three years at middle school were the time to mold ourselves into who we want to become. Our choices have been made and the results have come into play. We cannot live in our past and regret our choices. We now have to face the results and continue on in our life journey. What's done is done and what's in the past can no longer be changed. Many of us at times sit in our rooms, thinking about how fast we are growing and how soon we will be our own person, making our own decisions like which high school we would like to go to and later which college, and other things in our lives. Though we fear leaving all of the great people that we have met, this goodbye is not forever. It will be if we choose it to be so but as Robert Soothey said, "No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth." If we truly fear losing these great people then we will do something about it and keep in touch. So now the time comes for us to embark on yet another flight. Another flight in which we will look for a new tree, and a new place to build a new nest high up in the tree we will choose. If in these past years we have chosen the wrong tree where the shade was not abundant and the branches were not strong, then this will be like a new start. Our time to take action is now. Not tomorrow. For tomorrow may be too late. I will leave you with this quote by an anonymous person to think about and meditate upon. "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us so that when we finish, we will no longer have to continue running." Congratulations Eagles, class of 2006.
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Kusal Ahargama
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Nothing Is Permanent"Nothing
is permanent, everything is impermanent." This is a quote that I learned
through Buddhism. Buddha said that the world is like a flower in a jar. In
the first couple of days the flower will bloom and will have a good odor.
But as the days go by, the flower would slowly start to change colors while
in another couple of days the petals would fall down and in another couple
of hours the whole flower would drop dead, and for a while we would be sad
but after a while we let go of our sadness and would move on.
Our school years are like a flower. First we start fresh in the first grade in elementary. Then we advanced into the second, third, fourth, and fifth grade. Then we go to middle school and then we go to high school. We already passed elementary. Now we are on our last stage at Lawrence Middle School like it's the last stage as a flower. "Nothing is permanent, everything is impermanent" because we came to Lawrence Middle School and now we have to let it go like the flower. When we first came to L.M.S. we were eager to find new friends. Now" we have to leave them. During my three year's time in L.M.S. I got to know a lot of people who had different religions, different languages, different ethnisities and different races from mine. In the three year period that I've been in this school, I got a lot of help from my teachers but now I have to let them go. This is all because "Nothing is permanent, everything is impermanent.'" As a Lawrence Lion I learned a lot of skills to help me in my future. As an Eagle I learned to believe in M.A.G.I.C. and I learned that our "moments pass so quickly, but our memories last for ever."At the end when we graduated as "Eagles the Class of 2006 "I say thanks to every person who helped me to be successful. This all has to come to an end even the happiness and sorrows because "Nothing is permanent, everything is impermanent." |
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Vernice Rendon
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Graduating Class of 2006The day has come my friends; we are graduating!
From the minute we walk this stage we will not be considered kids any more.
It's the day we outgrow ourselves. This year has been, for most of us, the
best year we have had so far and I know we all know this from experience.
Well as our motto says:”The moments pass so quickly, but the memories last
forever”. It's so true; and I know that everyone knows what I am talking
about. I am talking about the picnic, grad night, the faculty vs. students
basketball game, the softball game, oh, and how can we forget all the events
throughout our nation-like hurricane Katrina, the march for the immigrants,
and you all know the rest. Well, maybe some of us did not get to go to Magic
Mountain, but we managed, and still had a blast. This year, I have met so
many wonderful people, diverse in every possible way. Right now, I would
be naming them, but I don't know how. But to tell you the truth all of you
hold a place in my heart. Everyone does, from the students, to faculty, to
our staff, to our principal. Wow, it's just like yesterday when I was sitting
in Mrs. McConnell's homeroom 63 just wondering when I would graduate, and
the funny thing is that now that I am graduating, I don't want to. Yeah,
it may seem silly, but I am going to leave so much, like my friends, the
annoying teachers (I am just playing about that). Well just know that I will
miss you all. I will miss hearing my teachers interesting stories, and I
will also miss all of my teachers for getting on my back and saying to "work
harder," and to "do my best." But now I know why they kept pushing my buttons,
and everyone else's buttons- because they want us to succeed in life. To become
someone known for accomplishing something that would make this a better world.
Yes, Eagles we can make a difference but it starts now. It's now June 22,
2006, and yes time flew by fast. But it's time Eagles, it's time to leave
what we have had for three years. It's time to accept responsibility for
all of our actions. We can't reverse time to change what we are becoming,
but we can change what we will become. It starts now; make a choice. You
choose what you want to become. As for me, all that I can say to all my friends,
and to all the students is good luck in high school, and good luck in the
future. Make good choices and don't regret any of them. Congratulations
Eagles. We have come too far to stop now. Hope to see you in the future graduating
by my side in high school, and as one teacher always said to us, "Always
make a greater individual commitment each and every day, and we shall make
magic." Eagles,like Teilhard de Chardin said,:"The future belongs to those
who give the next generation a reason for hope," and we shall give them hope.
Once again,congratulations Eagles, you are the eighth grade graduating class of 2006. Thank you. |
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Clay Burton
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GraduationDrums,
guitar, bass, vocals, and a basic understanding for music can stay separate.
But the brilliance of it all is when they meet. Like when you first met your
best friend, you were good apart but great together. We are all students,
all musicians, all artists, all one, but together better. But the one day
the band goes its separate ways they are alone to join a new group. All of
us want to leave but don't. We don't want to leave the halls, the classrooms,
the teachers, and of course being the top of the school, but we want to leave
so we can start a new group, with new people, with new problems, with new
rewards, and with a new sound. It was hard to reach this stage. Some
people could not make it here because school is tough, like the music industry.
Everyone will be remembered by the song they made here at Lawrence.
Every one contributed to this album that we all wrote. Now it goes on sale for everyone to see and waits for us to create a new one. A high school CD. Better than the last. And keep making better CDs at every stage of our life. But we will still remember every CD we made and keep them close. We remember every person, word, cord, beat, and never will forget. We hold it close and play it time to time. Congratulations, Eagles! Graduating class of2006!
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Amanda Popish
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Just Enough To Make Me CryI'm the sort of person that never cries. I don't
know what makes me that way, but even in the saddest, or happiest, of times,
I never seem to cry. And I definitely feel the emotions- it just doesn't
happen. Lots of things over the past three years have made me feel
like I wanted to cry, whether out of sadness or joy. There were lots of happy
times, like winning the spelling bee in 6th grade, becoming captain of the
basketball team in 7th, or getting on Pilot Committee in 8th. But each time-
not a single tear. Then there were, of course, the sad times, like
getting my first F on a test, having to stay up all night for a project,
or losing for Class President. And while I was certainly upset about all
these things, I couldn't seem to cry. Then graduation came. And now,
I'm sitting with my all of my friends for what may be the last time- the
friends that I've had to share the drama with, and laughed through the good
times with for the last three years. To think that we are all going down
different paths, to different schools, and different lives... well, that's
enough to make even me cry. But before that happens, I need to say
two things. One- Good Luck. High school is going to be tough, but make the
type of friends that I've made me here at Lawrence, and you'll be just fine.
Two- Thank You.
Thank you to the teachers, for the talks, guidance, and yes, even the lessons. Thanks to my family, for endless love and support. And last but not least, thanks to my friends. You have kept me from crying whenever I'm sad, and made me laugh instead of cry when I'm at my happiest points. But now, as we're here all together for the last time, I don't think anything can keep me from crying- partly from the anticipation of missing everyone so much, but also from the excitement of a new beginning. Congratulations Eagles, and thank you.
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Ellen Park
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Being the Floating SeedOnce a seed leaves from the flower, there's
no turning back. Sooner or later, that seed will have to come off the
flower when the right time comes. It will then have to leave to find a new
place to live. We, as the eighth grade graduating class of 2006 can very
easily relate to that. From the moment we leave the flower, we'll be
moving along to find our permanent home, our life, our foundation, but we're
still far from that. What we did here will help us to form a secure
foundation upon which to build. The consequences and lessons I faced and
learned here at Lawrence Middle School were well worth it. I have met great
people that I will be sorry to leave and say good-bye to knowing that I probably
won't ever see them again, but it won't change the fact I'm going to high
school.
We're all different because we all come from different flowers. We all need to come together to help build a society later generations can look back and reflect on. Each day here was an adventure. I sat in gym, met new people, and gossiped. It was middle school, the midpoint or the climax. Well, we're there. At the end of this graduation, this is our moment to shine. Beside the education here, I have learned an important thing. When I came here as a sixth grader, I had a lot of help on my work by the high expectations I thought were required. As I moved on to seventh grade, I began to break away from that habit and slowly start to be on my own. Then I stepped into eight grade, my last and third year. I was on my own completely, falling apart from the flower and starting to flutter with the help of the wind. The climax was this school and now after this, we will transit to the falling action, the next stage in our life leading us to our resolution. What consists of the falling action, no one knows, yet we will move on to high school and leave the wonderful memories we have gained at this middle school. |
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Camille Pinpin
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ReflectionFor some, the reflection you saw was that of
a person who has triumphantly grown to surpass countless hardships with the
utmost will and passion. For others, the person staring back at you was one
who has found a hidden inner-strength, proving your tremendous ability and
future. Nonetheless, this reflection, so different from the one you knew
three years ago, depicts the metamorphosis of a person who has blossomed
from a small bird into a majestic eagle.
It is the changes of our reflections- the people who we are today- that we owe to this school. These very walls and classrooms, have created a haven where we have grown beautifully. Our teachers have become both our friends and family, mentoring, inspiring and shaping us over the years into the future leaders of this nation. Endlessly giving us obstacles to surpass and goals to reach for, they have engraved in us the vigor, motivation, and passion to Succeed. From Lawrence Middle School, we have been given the tools to overcome and conquer. Look to the left and right of you my feIlow graduates. Those who are sitting with you, merely strangers three years ago, are now your friends, your brothers and sisters. Together, we have endured many obstacles and celebrated many feats. We've learned with one another and grown with one another. And today, we wiIl graduate with one another, not as strangers, but as a family, as one, the class of 2006. When I look at all of you from this podium, I see the promising young faces of tomorrow. I see the faces of champions who have gloriously completed a journey- a journey which has taught us about life and about who we are. Of all the gifts middle school has bestowed, there is one that we must eternally cherish, which is that life is meant not to be wasted. Any fear, challenge, failure, we can defeat and rise from. Any dream or ambition, we can attain. If there is one lesson our reflections have shown us, it is that no matter who we are- Caucasian, African American, European, Asian, Spanish- there is nothing we cannot achieve. We are the Eagles. We soar in sunshine or storm. It is the end of an era. Let us soar into a new era with one question in mind: Who is the person I dream to be? The person I can be. For "life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you." Congratulations Eagles. May we continue to grow, learn and aspire. |
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Tina Park
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Be Your Own StoryFamily, parents, teachers, faculty and fellow
graduates, we are all here today to celebrate the commencement of our middle
school lives. The past three years have been a mixture of good and bad memories.
There were lot of Kodak moments that I will treasure and other moments that
I would like to forget. Being a student at Lawrence Middle School has been
like a roller coaster ride. There were times when I felt like I was on top
of the world and others when I felt so low that I was going to hit the ground.
I never knew what was going to come next. Everyone here has made special
connection to somebody else and I know that we are going to different high
schools next to different paths. Therefore you need to be your own story.
Nobody has the exact memory that you have. You are your own story and therefore
free to imagine and experience what it means to be. Even more, the theme
you choose for your story may change or elude you in many ways.
My fellow graduates, did you think that someone would write a story about your life and publish it? No no no no no that isn't going to happen. There is no one else but YOU that can be a writer and a teller for your story. If you've been leaning on someone, hiding in the back, or expect someone to live your life, it is your turn now. You already filled about one fourth of your story with your past fourteen years. However I am a teller of stories and therefore an optimist, and a believer. So from my point of view, which is that of a storyteller, I see your life as already artful, waiting, just waiting and ready for you to make it art. I'll end this speech with the words that inspired me to be who I am today. A quote by Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. " |
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Maria Geronimo
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Just A BeginningGood morning and welcome to all parents, teachers,
students and guests who have joined us on this special day. We are pleased
to have you in attendance as you honor the eighth grade graduates and celebrate
this time of joy and sadness. Our hearts are filled with joy and I am proud
of the accomplishments we have achieved, but I am also sad to see you all
leave the halls of our school forever as we begin our high school years.
In preparing for my address to you this morning, I recalled a quote from
author, e. e. cummings, which I'd like to share: "We do not believe in ourselves
until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening
to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch."
As we look back on our years here at our middle school, we have many people to thank. Our teachers who have challenged our minds, our parents who have been supportive of our efforts and our friends and classmates who have provided friendly competition. All of these things have come together to provide us with a foundation for the future, a foundation for us to build upon, which can only be constructed with the bricks and mortar of education. Life consists of many steps and Lawrence is a stepping stone for us. All in all, are we making the tough choices worth it? Yes, I believe so. While it would be easier to slide through life without a purpose, without a code, it would not be fulfilling. Only by setting difficult goals and achieving them can we find true self-worth. Each person's goals are different from one another's, and what comes easily to one may become difficult for another. Therefore, do not squash others' dreams. Rather help and try to let them reach for it. This is a surefire way to know that you are working towards fulfilling your own. I congratulate you for this honor. You are truly the best of the best. Enjoy yourself, and remember as Mother Teresa said, "Life is a promise; fulfill it." The future lies before us. Like a field of driven snow, we must be careful how we tread it, for every step will show. I hope our dreams take us to the corners of our smiles, to the highest of our hopes, to the windows of our opportunities, and to the most special places that our hearts have ever known. We have just completed three years of middle school. Looking back to the day we first started school, it was hard to imagine this, the end of our eighth grade year. However, we stayed steadily with the course and over the past three years, we've completed mountains of projects and homework, and now, here we are, at the end of our eighth grade year, graduation day. Every story has an end. But in life, every ending is just a new beginning. Congratulations Eagles Class of 2006, a new chapter of our lives has begun. |
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Kurt Vonnegut
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Commencement Address at M.I.T.Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:
Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing every day that scares you. Sing. Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss. Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself. Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements. Stretch. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone. Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's. Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own. Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room. Read the directions, even if you don't follow them. Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out. Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth. But trust me on the sunscreen. |