June 2012 - InMaricopa.com

CLASS
OF
2012
2012
Valedictorian
Speech
BY CARA ONEAL
When my friend mentioned this
poem to me recently, I thought
it would be perfect for this
moment:
Listen to the Mustn’ts
by Shel Silverstein
Listen to the mustn’ts, child,
Listen to the don’ts,
Listen to the shouldn’ts,
The impossibles, the won’ts.
Listen to the never haves,
Then listen close to me --
Anything can happen, child,
Anything can be.
Who would have thought that eight
short lines could capture such a huge
moment so perfectly?
It is news to no one that Maricopa
has battled a negative perception in this
community.
Many kids that live here are bussed 30
minutes away to “better schools,” because
Maricopa High has a reputation for bad
test scores and “insert other negatives
here.”
Around our community, I hear a lot of
mustn’ts, don’ts, shouldn’ts, impossibles,
won’ts, never haves, never wills, and
can’ts. And I’m listening. I’m listening
to the “nothing good will ever come from
heres.” I’m listening to the mustn’ts. I
encourage you to listen as well.
A professor from Carnegie-Mellon
University named Dr. Randy Pausch once
said, “When someone stops telling you
that you’re doing something wrong, that
means they’ve given up.” So listen.
To my peers I say, “Challenge that!”
To the naysayers, I say, “Just wait, you’ll
see.”
Let’s look at the naysayers as a brick
wall — now they seem really menacing
right? How do you get around a brick
wall? I don’t actually know how each and
every one of you will individually do it,
but I am confident that every single one
of you can Hulk smash right through it —
you just have to want it bad enough.
The beauty of it is I know that there
are 315 out there who want it bad enough.
The naysayers don’t know that. When
they look at this crowd, they might see
purposeless kids with no drive. When I
look at this crowd, I see a social worker,
a broadcast journalist, a lawyer, an
engineer, an economist, a professor, a
surgeon and a neonatal nurse.
Valedictorian Cara Oneal is a National Merit
Scholarship winner.
That only accounts for eight of the 315
Hulks who are ready to smash through
any brick wall. And they’re ready because
they’ve been listening. They are listening.
We’re all listening, listening to the
can’ts, the impossibles, the negatives —
and we’re challenging them. So listen,
Listen to the mustn’ts, child,
Listen to the can’ts,
Listen to the wouldn’ts,
The improbables, the shan’ts.
Listen to the negatives,
Then listen close to me —
Anything can happen, child,
Just you wait and see.
2012
Salutatorian
Speech
BY TRISTA R. ECKERT
To my dearest classmates of the
Class of 2012, I am extremely
humbled to be standing here
before you, our families, mentors, friends
and staff as your salutatorian.
Take a minute and reminisce with
me:
The last weeks of school.
Stress. Projects. Papers.
Goodbyes and hellos.
Long nights before finals,
Days dragging, yet rushing,
Tugging us in different directions.
What has become of these four years?
New friends, new habits,
Maybe old friends with bad habits.
Literature and homework,
Late starts and no work.
Hot Arizona days, skies filled
with sun,
Coach yells, “Run, run, run!”
Run around the track
Don’t look behind my back,
At all those waiting for their chance
14
Salutatorian Trista R. Eckert is a member of National
Honor Society and graduated with highest honors.
to come,
While I chase after mine,
Run, run, run.
Hit hard by grief and heartbreak,
Moved by inspiration,
Withstand the earthquake.
Live in pride,
Colors red, black and white
Carry new meaning, carry life.
I drive through this familiar town,
What’s beyond, is waiting to be
found.
New adventures to search for,
My belongings sitting by the front
door.
Wave farewell to sports games past,
No more showing up to class.
Remember that one teacher you had,
Who always knew how you felt,
Be it happy or sad?
Some classrooms were a safe place,
Others an arms race.
Running with all that weight,
Do everything for my own sake
To live a better life than my parents
Through education and perseverance.
For those who care
Caps thrown up into the air
Signify a beginning and an end.
So start at the finish line,
You won’t be done running for a long
time.
Thank you, and best wishes for all.
Congratulations everyone. We made it!