Dundee-Crown Valedictorian Speech: Nicholas Demetriou

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

Congratulations class of 2011! We have made it with a great thanks to our high school faculty, parents, and ourselves for making brilliant decisions, which have allowed us to accomplish this exceptional feat.  Ever since we could think and formulate opinions on our own we have been making decisions that will affect our futures.  Through the people we allied ourselves with, the time we put into our education, and the time we spent pursuing different passions. These and many more choices have developed us into the graduates we are today,  and I commend you all on making the proper decisions to have accomplished what you have on this day.

An ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “ a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” So to get where we would like to go we have to initiate the first stride. You need to select a path and set out onto it. Hard work is inevitable and motivation to complete it, is an invaluable trait to have. If you become unhappy or unsatisfied with your path along the way, you may deter from it at anytime and set off strolling along in a new direction. I know that a few of us will dash out of here in a sprint towards our futures, while others at a trot and some even taking a few steps backwards. However it is you depart from Dundee Crown I hope it is in positive memory of our school and community because either way it has left a distinguished imprint on our lives.

The class of 2011 will always be missed at Dundee Crown. At what other school could you find a huge group of guys having a light saber battle during lunch on the last day of school, or a student body so united to achieve a world record, and super fan at all sporting events through their entirety, win or lose. We were the last class to enjoy flex block even for that short amount of time, and devour the gooey and scrumptious chocolate chip cookies they use to sell during lunch. We have seen the departure of legendary teachers such as Mr. Swick and Mr. Gorman. Our student body is made up of all state musicians, division one athletes, shining artists, champion debaters and I am so proud to be graduating alongside all of you. How bitter sweet today is.

Graduation is often thought of as an end. People often view it as an end to education, an end to relationships, or an end to childhood.  Rather though, it is the opposite. In the words of John Dewey, “arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.” It is a new beginning, a blank page, upon which anything can be drawn or written. We will now ignite new friendships, and continue learning through all of our future endeavors. We are now entering a whole new world and will be the novices of either the university or career fields. However you view it we will be starting anew, so what do you plan to do? You have your own blank page directly in front of you, and you may begin to sketch or scribble whatever you would like onto it, as you wish. There are no standards or directions acquainted with this blank sheet so I challenge all of you to become superlative artists and writers. Develop your imagination, conjure up dreams and release them onto this page for the whole world to see. We are the future, and now is our time to shine. Thank you.