Good morning, sleep-deprived students, grandparents who are happier than the students, parents who just want their kids to come up for pictures and siblings who were forced to attend by parents (“Hi, Harry”). My name is Lance Kim, and I tell you, it is my pleasure to be here. Not only to depart from this place we’ve called home, but to share this one final moment with my classmates.
We’ve been through too much, guys, T-shirt drama, kooky pens, Silly Bandz, Yik Yak, Webkinz, box ball, ballroom dancing, from dinner dancing to prom and everything in-between. I never imagined the kids I played Club Penguin with would eventually graduate high school with me, but we are ready.
I don’t know how to do laundry, balance a checkbook or pay my taxes, but I do know one thing. The world needs us—desperately! Now more than ever. A reality-TV host might be our next president, the polar ice caps are melting and I’m still not the last speaker.
We are underprepared underclassmen again, and none of us knows who we’ll be yet, which is the most terrifying and exciting thought ever.
“Be the change you wish to see,” as you go out into the “real world,” where our “best days are ahead of us” to “find ourselves” and “change the world.” Like all trite things, these may or may not come true, but if your life fits the mold of my high school graduation speech, it’d be kinda dull. Don’t fear change. Your friends will stay your friends.
The day you get back will be filled with hugs, “suh dudes” and awkward passing glances to that girl or boy you once had a crush on. (NAMES WILL NOT BE NAMED.) Our old teachers will ask us how we’re doing with smiling faces, and I’ll finally call Mr. Reader, “Damon,” because we’ll be adults and I’ll be allowed. We’ll look into our parents’ loving eyes, their open arms and run right past them to inhale their free food.
So no matter the places you’ll go, or the person you become, there will always be a place for you at Great Neck South.
Read the complete graduation speeches from the Great Neck North Class of 2016: Adir Vegon, Graelin Mandel, Isabelle Sehati and from Great Neck South: Annabelle Golden, Annie Yang, Emily Bae, Haley Roach, Lance Kim and Michael Shen.
Learn about the 2016 valedictorians and salutatorians here.
Find out about other 2016 award winners here and here.
See who the 2016 Great Neck North graduates are here.
Find out who graduated from Great Neck South here.
For a list of The Village School graduates, click here.
