Dundee-Crown Salutatorian Speech: Michael Rice

Editor's Note: Here is the transcript of Michael Rice's speech from Saturday's Dundee-Crown High School graduation.

To say that the Class of 2011 had an enjoyable and successful run at Dundee-Crown would be a huge understatement.  Together, we have enjoyed some of the best years of our life together and accomplished countless noteworthy things.  However, we would be at fault if we did not give our thanks to all the people who impacted our high school experience and gave us the opportunity to make the best of these past four years.  To start, we are forever in debt to the voters who voted for the referendum in 2006.  They gave us the opportunity to participate in everything from sports to music to clubs.  These activities and organizations have provided many of us with some of our fondest memories while at Dundee Crown.  In conjunction with thanking the voters, I would like to thank the Board for their efforts in putting in place a plan and system that provided us with a quality education.  Working with the Board on running our education and implementing the plan that guided our studies at Dundee-Crown, Mrs. McCarthy and her administrators deserve recognition for everything that they do.  They have made our past four years at Dundee-Crown a smooth experience.  Their work set up a structured system that educated us in a way that prepared us for the next chapter in our lives while still giving us a freedom to grow as individuals and experiment with new subjects and classes.  While at Dundee Crown, this senior class has been taught by some of the brightest, most enjoyable individuals in the field of education.  Our teachers have been some of the most significant figures in our lives the past four years.  They have not only taught us math, history, art, foreign languages, English, science, and every subject in between; they have also served as role models and helped shape who we are today.  Our teachers saw to it that the young freshman who first walked through the doors a few years back have emerged confident adults ready to enter the world and use their newly gained skills and knowledge. 

Part of being a Charger is showing school pride and representing Dundee Crown proudly.  The coaches at Dundee Crown have seen to it that our athletes both perform at the highest level while competing as well as that they represent their school properly.  They have helped create Charger Pride in our school and are responsible for helping our students reach their full athletic potential.  These individuals see to it that our students are balanced, sound not only in mind but also in body.  They also taught us skills that can be used later in life such as teamwork and hard work.  We also owe our club sponsors a huge thanks because they have given us the opportunity to be involved in our school, try new things, and participate in the activities that we enjoy. 

The art, acting, music, and singing that has come from Dundee Crown students in the Class of 2011 is extraordinary.  They have created and performed masterpieces that are truly inspirational and deserving of recognition.  Helping them along the way have been all our teachers, instructors, and helpers involved with the fine arts.  These people have helped hone the skills of Dundee-Crown students and then let those same students shine. 

I would like to save my last thanks for the students of the Class of 2011.  We have made the most of our four years and formed some of the best memories of our lives together.  I would like to wish good luck to all of you next year and one last time, thank you to everyone who helped us along the way and made our time at Dundee-Crown High School the incredible four years that it was.