Thirteen years ago, when we first entered kindergarten, we began looking forward to this day, the day of our high school graduation. And since then, we have learned everything from Shakespeare to Einstein, from Riemann to Shostakovich. And yet perhaps we, the class of 2013, learned the most important things back in kindergarten. Perhaps what we learned thirteen years ago is what we will remember the most as we leave high school and venture out into this brave new world.
Perhaps what we will remember most is the pencil that always seemed to slip out of our tiny hands. Like the pencil that dares to leave its mark on the daunting blank page, perhaps we will dare to leave our own marks on the clean pages of life. We will explore the impossible mysteries of the world and conquer the blank regions of the unknown, and with each moment of brilliant innovation, with each footstep into uncharted territory, we shall write our names into the permanent pages of history.
Perhaps what we will remember most is the eraser that always seemed to find its way into our curious little mouths. Like the eraser that sacrifices its own life to save the mistakes of others, perhaps we will volunteer our own lives for the betterment of society. We will humble ourselves to erase the injustices of the world, but we shall always be modest to acknowledge and correct our own errors and flaws.
Perhaps what we will remember most is the forty-two pack of crayons that we all hungrily desired. Like the myriad of crayons that brighten the world’s landscapes, perhaps we will be able to bring light and color into the lives of others. We will illuminate the impenetrable darknesses of the world, and we shall always embrace the future with unbridled alacrity and enthusiasm.
Perhaps what we will remember most is the can of Play-Doh that entertained us for countless hours. Like the colorful clay that stretches and bends to sculpt our five-year old fantasies into reality, perhaps we will be malleable and adaptable to change. As we now chase after our dreams, we will mold ourselves to fit our new surroundings, but as Play-Doh never changes hues, we shall always retain and display the true colors of our personalities.
Perhaps what we will remember most is the sheer pleasure that we felt when we used scissors to carve our first masterpieces. Like the pair of scissors that musters the courage to sever the ties between two intimacies, perhaps we will be strong enough to part with teachers, with friends, with family as we depart from the past thirteen years of our lives. We, the class of 2013, will embrace this new independence and freedom, but we shall remember that phone calls and holiday visits will always be able to tape and mend those treasured bonds and relationships.
And perhaps what we will remember most is the glue that seemed all too eager to paste our small fingers together. Like the glue that is able to forge bonds between strangers, perhaps we will build new friendships, create new relationships as Life guides us to our next destinations. We will find new glues of love and companionship, but we shall always cherish the coveted bonds that helped us conquer the challenges and obstacles in this four year trek of high school.
And so now, thirteen years later, we are ready. We are the class of 2013, and we shall be extraordinary. Our lives are still just blank sheets of paper, waiting for us to make our first marks. Write, draw, color, erase. The canvas of life is ours.
