Good afternoon graduates, and thank you for the opportunity to speak as your class president. I know you’re all probably getting tired, so I hope to make this fast before I get booed off stage.

Firstly, I’d like to give (one last) quick round of thank-yous to everyone who’s been instrumental in our success the past four years:

  1. The custodial staff: Ever since the first day of freshman year, to setting up for today’s graduation ceremony, you have all been so helpful, so accommodating, and so selfless in creating a clean and orderly environment for all of us to thrive.
  2. The Wilton High School faculty: The teachers who pushed us to succeed, hall and dismissal monitors who kept us safe, lunch staff who provided healthy and delicious meals, and everyone else who played a part in our success. Our class wouldn’t have had such a great time in high school without you.
  3. And finally, our parents: All of you, who’ve consistently guided and provided for us graduates while still allowing us to grow into our own people and gain the confidence to go on to life beyond.

Can we please have a round of applause?

And now, to address the graduates.

As our time at Wilton High School rapidly, momentously draws to a close, I’d like to take some time to celebrate our graduating class. Over the past four years, so many events have stood out.

From determinedly walking into school on the first day of freshman year in masks, to cheering together in 10th grade after finally beating Ridgefield on Homecoming, to our final bell ceremony a little under a month ago, our class has had its share of unique and special memories that I’ll cherish forever. We’re nothing short of extraordinary — together, we’ve created a legacy in our high school that extends beyond our time here: one of academic, athletic, artistic, and social excellence.

So as we graduate, remember your time in high school and use what you’ve learned here in the outside world. Everyone knows that in the future lies uncertainty, but my advice to everyone here is to believe. Believe in your ability to thrive, and trust in yourself to overcome whatever’s next. Believe in each other, and create a community that nurtures and collaborates rather than divides and breaks down. Most of all, believe in your capacity to jump towards your grandest aspirations and remember the people rooting for your success that will catch you when you fall.

When I look back on the Class of 2024, I think of each of you — people who constantly inspire me in the most wondrous way with their compassion, intelligence, tenacity, and resilience. It’s been a thrilling four years, and I wouldn’t have changed a second of it.

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. As the official sign of graduation, I’d now like to invite all my fellow graduates to turn their tassels from right to left to officially signal their graduation. Congratulations!