HSCHS valedictorians, salutatorian give advice

Valedictorian Haley McDermott

Class of 2018, we are about to enter a new chapter of our lives, and lets be honest, we could use some advice. Of course, I could give you some traditional advice, like don't trip across the stage, but you already know that. So instead, here's a few words from Johnny Rider Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day

It stole the oak tree's leaves away

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around

The weary wind gave up and spoke.

How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you

Can break each branch of mine in two

Carry every leaf away

Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth

Growing stronger since my birth

You'll never touch them, for you see

They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure

Of just how much I could endure

But now I've found, with thanks to you

I'm stronger than I ever knew

The oak tree's lesson of strength and perseverance is a big one. It's such great advice, and from a tree! Interestingly enough, trees hold a lot of lessons in their branches. So, before I go, here are a few more lessons from a tree.

Soak Up the Sun

Hang Tough Through a Cold Spell

Grow without notice

Go out on a limb

Enjoy the View

Remember Your Roots

Stay Grounded

Bend Before You Break

Enjoy Your Uniqueness

And finally

Keep Growing

Valedictorian Mary Ryan

Throughout life we tell ourselves "don't be afraid." It wasn't until recently that I realized how silly that sounded. Do not be afraid. It's like telling yourself to not be human. I'm afraid, and you're afraid, and we're always going to be afraid of something. But, that's the point.

Classmates, I'd like to introduce to you one of the greatest theories that I've learned from a poet named John Keats: the concept of negative capability. By definition, this is the idea that you are "capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, and doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason," or more simply, that you can be comfortable in uncertainties without having to search for the reason behind them.

Many of us have chosen to go off to college, while others have picked a different path, and some of us may not have a clue as to what we want to do with our lives.

Many of us will change our major, a few will change it more than once, and maybe we'll even change careers. But no matter what we do, we will all face uncertainties that we could not predict. No matter how many times you tell yourself not to be, you will be afraid.

We are not designed to know everything about life, but we are meant to live our lives to the greatest capacity; don't ruin it by living in your head and searching for all the answers. You don't have to explain everything, just live and take advantage of the moment you're in. Don't overthink, don't panic; things won't go as planned. However, given enough time, you will be certain about things you were once not.

So, HSCHS Class of 2018, instead of telling yourself "do not be afraid," start telling yourself "be afraid but do it anyway." Embrace the uncertainties and enjoy what they become. As John Keats once said, "there is nothing stable in the world; uproar is your only music."

Valedictorian Stormy Cox

Good afternoon everyone. It's nice to see that you could all make it, especially you Noah. You're probably tired out from that long walk over here, but it can't compare to a walk through the jungle. However, Chris if you are chafing, never fear, Jenks is here with his numbing cream. We will try to tune out your screaming.

I know it can be hard to sit here for so long, so I'm going to try to keep this short and sweet, just like Mya. But hopefully this speech will stick in your memory, unlike Eric.

I have to apologize in advance, because you guys are going to be guinea pigs for this speech, but I'm sure you're used to that by now. This might be a waste of your time, just like 6th grade year. So there's my preemptive apology.

If you haven't noticed already, this speech is going to be unconventional, just like Lauren's hair in 5th grade. Some of you might even become confused during this speech, just like you seem to be confused about my ethnicity. Just to clear the air . . . (wave a little Mexican flag) this (wave a little Chinese flag) not this. (Wave a little Mexican flag again) this. Also, speaking of identity confusion, I'M STORMY, NOT CHAUNCEY.

I hope you can all hear me, even though I'm not as loud as Shay. Well, even if you can hear me, I'm sure there are less people listening than the number of people Faith has been in a fight with. Actually, that could mean a lot of people are listening, so maybe that was a bad reference.

This event is pretty miraculous though. The last time we were all together like this was when Cade and Shi got married in 6th grade. However, I do know this event probably isn't as exciting as the time we caught the gym on fire in middle school, or as scary as the time Clemens got a trash can thrown at his head. I'm sure some of you are getting antsy to leave, but I ask you to keep your clothes on. I'm talking to you Lucas!

Really, I should probably wrap this up. I'm sure you're enjoying this about as much as seeing Logan in his romper, excuse me, romphim. So I'll leave you with the inspiring words of Dory from Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming." Thank you.

Salutatorian Shianne Yarrington

Editor's note: These are the lyrics from Rhett and Link's "The Graduation Song." The song was performed by Yarrington and London Jenks during the graduation ceremony.

For the past eighteen years

Your life's been pretty smooth

Let's take a moment and reflect

On all you've had to do

You've rolled out of bed

And strolled to the living room

And watched Cartoon Network

While your mom made waffles for you

Your laundry was magically clean

And your dad's back pocket was an ATM machine

Your life's biggest worry was what to wear to the prom

And your only regret was that incident

With the stink bomb

Do you hear that subtle sound?

That's the sound of reality

about to slap the taste out your mouth

Now you're on your own

You should be scared

But we can tell

You don't care

Why don't you care?

You should be frightened

You're young and now you're free

The world is your oyster

We have no clue what that means

But let us paint a picture of your future

You're gonna eat a lot of Hot Pockets

And you're thinkin' that sounds great

Well get back to us in six months

When you've had three hundred and seventy-eight

As soon as you move out

You know what your parents are gonna do

They're gonna turn your bedroom into an exercise room

That they never use

And you won't use lockers in college

And this might be a total bummer

There are no yearbooks either

You'll actually have to say

'Have a great summer'

Do you feel that gentle breeze?

It's the category five hurricane of adulthood

About to hit you upside the head with a tree

Now you're on your own

Don't screw this up

You're on your own

Good luck

You're gonna need it

Valedictorian Daniel Leonhardt did not give a speech.