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Each year at graduation we acknowledge groups within our graduating class who, through their character, perseverance, confidence, curiosity, discipline, hard-work, and–most importantly–passion, embodied the best of what Sequoia High School does. Seniors:
- If you have played a sport while at Sequoia, stand tall and be recognized.
- If you danced, sang, or participated in a performing art while at Sequoia, stand tall, shake, snap or dip, and be recognized.
- If you have held a job to help support yourself or your family during high school, stand tall and be recognized.
- If you are the first member of your family to graduate from high school, stand tall and be recognized.
- If you have enlisted in a branch of the United States Military, stand tall and be recognized.
- If you are enrolling in college this fall, stand tall and be recognized.
- If you are the first member of your family to attend college, stand tall and be recognized
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If you…actually, let’s pause for a moment. Throughout the program today, we’ve heard about connections
Yesterday, we gathered together for a couple of hours to practice for this graduation because we wanted it to be as impressive as possible for our friends and families. To really put on a good show. To give this occasion the respect it deserves. We walked our lines through the hallways, through the breezeway, past my favorite tree in the whole world. We walked past the bleachers, imagining this cheering crowd, and found our seats. We practiced walking in front of the stage, receiving our diplomas and back to our seats. In a few minutes, we’ll do it for real. And that’s where the set path ends.
“Caminante no hay camino, se hace el camino al andar…” The words of poet Antonio Machado: Traveler, there is no road, the road is made with your steps.
From here, your roads diverge in all different directions. You’ve taken what we can offer you. In some cases embracing lessons, in other cases rejecting them, in the best cases…re-imagining them.
“Caminante no hay camino, se hace el camino al andar…” there is no road, the road is made with your steps.
But this need not be a lonely road. Other travelers are all around you. If you have a hard time finding them, look back to the words of your classmates: Like Ethan [Thacker] said: be genuine. Through your authentic self, you will see others and others will see you. Like Teresa [Alvarez] and Sophia [Tabarez-Andaya] said: find a way to do more than the minimum. The high road always leads to the most fulfilling places. Like Claire [Dulsky] said: celebrate those around you. Look for the best in people, and you’ll never walk alone. Like Mathew [Ruíz] said: your power comes from being part of something bigger than you. Humility. And like Tabitha [Oliver] sang to us: be grateful. Gratitude and humility are two sides of a coin that is more valuable than all the gold in the world. With these things in mind, your road and the obstacles you encounter upon it, will be a road full of fulfilling connections–human connections–leading to safe and nourishing stops along the way. se hace el camino al andar…
During our rehearsal we all had to get our right hand and left hand working together. Shaking and taking. Y’all were really good at it. 10 out of 10. No notes. Let’s see if we can take this to the next level. Please lift your right hand now about shoulder high and make a fist…hold it…now do the same with your left hand…hold it. Look to your left, look to your right. Hold those fists. Family members, what you are about to witness is, as far as I know, the world’s largest simultaneous fist bump. On the count of three…for all that brings us together this last time in the spirit of Unaliyi: one, two, three…Boom!
Human connection. What could possibly be more important today?
Adelante, caminantes…su camino les espera crear.
I have one more group I want to recognize:
Class of 2024: If you showed Sequoia Pride by wearing purple on Fridays, If you know how to defend your claims with evidence, test a hypothesis...if you can show an inequality by using mathematical reasoning or by citing primary historical sources. If you stood up tall for something or someone you believe in, if you pledge to carry Unaliyi in your hearts with you. If you have EARNED the right to turn your tassels and receive a diploma from Sequoia High School...
Please Stand to be recognized!
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