2022 val speeches, Premier's Roberts: Graduates, 'You're a lion for life'
It’s my honor and a blessing to be this class’s valedictorian. I’d like to thank my fellow students, their families, our faculty, and our distinguished guests for joining us here today.
Graduates, take a moment. Look around the room, take it all in and realize we made it. After years and years of schooling, we’ve earned your high school diploma. This is a remarkable accomplishment.
The last few years have been filled with challenges, uncertainty, and confusion, but they’ve also been filled with laughs, smiles, and fond memories. The Class of 2022 has been resilient. We’ve worked hard, and we deserve this moment. Congratulations.
I moved to Premier High School my junior year, which also just happened to be the year the world turned upside down. In 2020, there was great uncertainty due to the new coronavirus. There were more questions than answers. That’s how I feel today when I think about life beyond high school. Mostly excited, but a little scared, too.
As we look to the future, the world beyond can be both exciting and scary. There are countless cities we could live in, countless colleges or workplaces we could go to. Some of us are going to college, some are going straight into the workforce, while others into the armed forces, and still there are others forging their own path with their own activities.
Sometimes, it may feel like you’ll never make the “right” choice for your future, but be patient with yourself. Your time will come. In a world filled with choices, you’ve chosen the best path for you based on the information you have at this very moment. As German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said, “Progress is never linear, there is wisdom at every stage.”
So each time you find that something didn’t work out as you intended, you’ll have an opportunity to gain new knowledge and figure out what your next step will be. Today, we’re taking a big step, as we earn our high school diplomas. Other days, you’ll take a small step, like getting out of bed in the morning and getting dressed, ready to face another day. Each step, big or small, contributes to your progress.
Speaking of getting out of bed, don’t let your bed rob you of your time. Get out of bed and chase that dream. Create something you’ve always wanted to create. Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Life is short. Being a Premier High School Abilene student, I learned that every single moment of your life is precious, however, it is only as precious as you make it.
Today, we turn the page from being students to alumni. Starting today, you’re a lion for life. We have all the tools we need to go forth and change the world, one day at a time. How will you answer this call?
To our teachers, our families, our friends, our pets and everyone else who influenced our journey, thank you. Thank you, fellow students, for being a constant source of joy, and for being the best comedians when I needed it the most. Thank you, teachers, for being educators when we needed it, but also guidance counselors when certain situations called for it. And thank you all for believing in us. We wouldn’t be here, as the people we are today, without each and every one of you.
Graduates, take a moment. Look around the room. Take it all in once more. One last time. You made it. The world is ready for you. The door is open.
Now, you just need to step through. The world is your oyster, and you are the pearl.
Congratulations, 2022 graduates. I wish you a lifetime of success and happiness.
— Wyatt Roberts, Premier Hh School valedictorian
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Premier's Roberts: Graduates, 'You're a lion for life'
