Sunny Agrawal's
Four years...
It's kind of surprising when you
think about it. For almost every day for the past four years, we've all been at
the same place at the same times. For four years we've all been passing by each
other between classes. For four years we've been in a lot of each
other's classes. And yet, none of us are really like anyone else here. It's a
little cliché to say, but... Four years together, and still we're all
different. And now, we're about to take the first few steps that'll scatter us
towards all our different dreams.
It's been brilliant, this path we've
tread together for the past four years. Academic distinctions, athletic
championships, musical triumphs, significant aid to the community – and that's
just the beginning of all that we've managed to achieve. Though our paths may
separate tonight, all of us will relish in our memories of our accomplishments
together.
But we must also remember that, along
with these successes, we have incurred a tremendous debt. We owe our utmost
gratitude to the administration, for providing and managing every facility that
made our successes possible. To our teachers, for pushing our intellectual
limits beyond our imaginations. To our families, for their loving and unending
support through all of our endeavors. To our friends, for those indescribable
moments of laughter and loyalty. And to all those individuals along the way who
have tested and strengthened the resolution of our character.
I was told before I wrote this speech
that I should be inspirational. And that's pretty hard, considering that as
soon as we're handed our diplomas, each of us will begin to carve out our own
diverging paths, towards our own unique destinations. What would motivate all
of us, as different as we are?
And then I looked over to my side and
found my answer in the radiant smile of a miracle.
Two years ago, Sharon left us in her sleep,
and we felt as though were left behind with just a memory. But over the past
couple of years, her memory has become an inspiration to hold close to our
hearts.
Sharon was going to realize the
heights of her immense potential. She was going to go to Stanford, going to
become a pediatrician. There was no doubt in our mind that she would. Her
ambitions weren't lofty goals or far-fetched fantasies – they were realities
certain to happen. And she was going to make them happen.
That insurmountable conviction is the
spirit with which we must all continue on our own individual journeys. Musician
or doctor, politician or scientist, whatever our destinations might be, our
determination must not falter. Junior year, we read in dismay as Gatsby's life
and dreams crumbled into a Valley of Ashes. We refuse to allow ours' to crumble
in despair. We will not shift our gaze from the horizon where our dreams become
our reality. We will carry with us an unrelenting defiance of obstacles.
Oh, and... Before I go... Oh what?!