Sep 29

Written by: Current Students
9/29/2011 2:38 PM 

“I am so honoured and privileged to be talking to you on behalf of this year’s graduating class.  I am extremely proud to be a part of the 45 students who, in only a short while, will be ending their high school and Albert College careers.  I think I speak for all my fellow graduates when I say that this year was one of the most unique, stressful and insightful journeys in all our high school years.  And finally, after all the exams, study halls and University applications, we find ourselves surrounded by family and friends, counting down the minutes until we throw our caps up in the air and officially graduate. 

It is with the support of so many people here today, as well as those who could not attend, that we have made it to the final stage of our senior year.  First of all, I would like to thank the staff of Albert College for all that they have done to ensure that we leave Albert prepared and knowledgeable.  But it is not only the lessons and extra help that we appreciate. I don’t know many other schools where you watch Daily Show videos in physics class, make bets with your teachers on the NHL Playoffs and write your final summative on the TV show Modern Family. Thanks for putting up with us when we were just too tired, too stressed or way too hyper.  Whether our exam marks show it or not, we have actually learned so much from you and really appreciate your dedication and encouragement.  Thank you to all the teachers, advisors, House Directors and staff who have helped keep us in line this year and shown us our true potential.  Of course, every graduate here also owes a big thank you to their family for supporting them and giving them this opportunity. You have made sacrifices for us to be where we are today and they are greatly appreciated.  Whether 10 minutes down the road, or a 15 hour plane ride away, our families have pushed us, influenced us and helped keep us sane.  It’s often hard to appreciate your parents when they are half way around the world, or in my case, seem to be at the school more often than I am; but today a huge thank you goes out to all the families who have given us so much and to whom we owe our success. Finally, I’d like to address the graduating class.  I’d like to thank all of you for making up the most entertaining and irreplaceable grad year I could ever hope to be a part of.  Hailing from 13 different countries, our grad class is made up entirely of unique and outgoing individuals who have found a way to share their cultures and support one another through all the rough patches.   I’ve never seen such intense House League soccer players, such heavy sleepers in math class or so much cross dressing in just one year.  I’m extremely proud to call you all my friends. 

I’ve often heard that “Beginnings are hard, endings are usually sad, but it’s what happens in the middle that counts”.  Whether our beginning at AC started twelve years ago at the old Junior School, or just 10 months ago at Camp Tamakwa, I hope that somewhere along the way we laughed, we grew and we found our own place in the history of  Albert College.  That place may not be marked by a plaque in the hallway or by your picture in the yearbook, but by the memories you’ll never forget and the friends you can never replace. To every single one of the graduates, I ask that you embrace the individual qualities that make you so unique. Please never stop treating House League events like the World Cup, never stop taking those power naps in public places and never let societal norms tell you how to dress.  I couldn’t imagine you grads any other way. As you move on from high school and Albert College, I implore you to aspire, challenge yourself and persevere. Finally, I have some words of encouragement and good luck for all the graduates leaving here today. To all the Drama students – break a leg!  To the athletes – Impossible is nothing!  To the musicians – Don’t Stop Believing!  To all the business majors – have more sense than dollars and to the science geeks – Live long and Prosper."

- M.S., Class of 2011
Studying at Laurentian University