As winner of the Grade 12 Proficiency Award and Honour Cord, 2014 Unity Composite High School graduand Adam Wallace was this year’s valedictorian at the cap and gown graduation ceremonies held June 27. The UCHS graduating class of 2014, teachers, family and friends gathered in the senior gym at Unity SK for the ceremonies.
Adam’s speech:
Good morning family, friends, teachers, honoured guests, and fellow graduates. My name is Adam Wallace, and it is an honour to be named the valedictorian of this class. These 38 people on stage are some of the most outstanding I know.
On behalf of the grad class, I would like to thank the staff of all of the schools in Unity: St. Peters, Unity Public School, and especially Unity Composite High School. Some people may think that teaching is an easy job because you only work from 9:00 to 3:30 and get summers off. We appreciate the many hours they spend outside the classroom coaching, being involved with school committees, and providing extra help before and after school hours.
We would also like to congratulate our principal, Mrs. Robertson, on her retirement. We appreciate that you have been waiting for the best graduating class to retire with.
Next, we would like to thank our parents and families. You have been helping and guiding us since the day we were born. The lessons you taught us were the first things we ever learned and set the foundation of who we are today. Thank you for your continued love, encouragement, and support as we make our own path in the world.
We also want to thank our community. Many people outside of our school have played a part in our growth. This includes coaches, instructors, and anyone else who takes time from their day to make Unity a better place. This is one of the best towns in the world to live in, and it’s because of the effort put in by people like you.
The last group I want to thank are my fellow graduates. You guys are the greatest people I know. To be honest, there are some days where I felt that I learned more from my classmates than from a textbook. As we end our high school years and begin the next stage of our lives, I wish you all the best of luck in your future plans, whatever they may be.
In closing, I would like to share a quote from Alexander Graham Bell. “When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” I hope that many doors open for all of us. Thank you.
As he returns to his seat on the bleachers after giving his address, valedictorian Adam Wallace receives a standing ovation from his fellow 2014 UCHS graduates at Unity SK, June 27.