Woodstock School Alumni Magazine Vol CIV, 2011

Valedictorian speech
Tariqa Farrell Tandon
Quadrangle - 21
Tariqa Farrell Tandon with her mother
Good Morning Respected Chairman Mr.
Chandy, Principal Dr. Laurenson, Teachers,
Parents, Family and Friends of Woodstock
School, distinguished guests, fellow students,
and Luminescence, Class of 2011. It’s
my privilege to address you this morning.
So, a few weeks ago, we had WOSA tea,
and at one point, all the alumni and longtime
staff members were asked to complete
the following sentence: “Because of Woodstock…”
As I heard the various responses, I
started to think about it – what would I say
if I were asked that question? So, here are
my responses:
Because of Woodstock, I have hiked a
hundred kilometres up to school every day.
Because of Woodstock, I have learnt the
value of diversity, especially in the dining
hall. (Chicken Nilgiri, Chicken-do-pyaza,
Chicken Makhan-wala, Chicken Masala,
Chicken Hyderabadi). Strangely, they all
have the same orange sauce.
Because of Woodstock, I submitted assignments
till the very last hour of my high
school career.
Because of Woodstock, I know the importance
of citing my sources correctly.
Because of Woodstock, I learnt to appreciate
all the global forms of noodles.
Because of Woodstock, I’ve learnt how to
adjust to changes really well.
Because of Woodstock, I understand the
world I live in and I think globally.
Because of Woodstock, I’ve been the recipient
of a broad, liberal arts education that
allowed me to get a taste of many different
subject areas
Lastly, because of Woodstock, hopefully, I
have learnt how to give an effective speech.
Though it is clear that Woodstock has given
our class and each one of us something
to take away, what have we done for this
school? Yes, we are proud to be graduates
of Woodstock, but why should Woodstock
be proud of us, Luminescence, the class of
2011? While some of you may be modest,
and might think that what our class has done
for this school is no different from previous
graduating classes, I think that right now,
it is the perfect time to boast about our
achievements as a class.
We are one of the most authentic groups
of people I have encountered, and I am not
just saying this because I am a part of this
class, but because I truly believe it. We are
not fake – our problems are in the open, and
we don’t try to cover up our flaws. Instead,
we learn from them and learn to overcome
them. Over the past 4 years, our class has
risen from its problems like a phoenix rises
from its ashes. That’s why our flag is so appropriate.
It was because of our class that the
Luminescence Fund came about, and we are
the first class to achieve such a success. Each
one of us contributed to the cause of higher
education for the children of Woodstock
employees who have served us.
It was under the leadership of members of
our class that the assemblies were transformed,
for example, the Friday student run
assemblies were introduced. It was under the
leadership of members of our class that the
Jordi Village project came about to build a
library in a local village, and the first successful
goal-a-thon was held in support of
this effort. It was largely because of the
leadership of the senior boys in the basketball
team that we had such a successful
basketball season this year, and even won the
Win Mumby basketball championship after
centuries. It was because of hardworking
members of our class that such a wonderful
yearbook came out this year.
We are one of the easiest classes to work
with, and have dealt very well with all the
challenges we’ve encountered – for example,
we did not make a big fuss when we
were told that our STAR weekend was to be
held in Mussoorie itself. I know it sounds
like I’m boasting as I go through this list, but
I actually think that one of the qualities that
has allowed these accomplishments is that
we are humble and teachable. We keep trying
to learn and that’s the basis for our success.
So, we have our liberal arts educations, our
global awareness, our authenticity and our
willingness to work hard. But, the question
is, what will we do with these now? We’re
definitely going to face a whole new set of
challenges. And these are the qualities that
will enable us to take on the challenges.
With our liberal arts education, we can appreciate
not only the disciplines we major in
when we go on to higher education, but also
the human knowledge that resides in other
disciplines as well. Our global awareness
helps us understand how we all are interconnected,
and helps us respect diversity. Our
authenticity will help us build and maintain
relationships, both professionally and personally.
And, our willingness to work hard
is our insurance to underwrite risks.
Wherever each of our lives may take us, we
should remember our unique identity we
have forged together at Woodstock. There
will be times when we may not succeed, but
at these times, remember the phoenix in our
class flag, and rise again. Be Luminescent,
and remember, as Saint Francis of Assisi
said, “All the darkness in the world cannot
extinguish the light of a single candle”.
And, the world, be prepared, for Luminescence,
the Class of 2011, is ready to shine.
And that’s because of Woodstock.
Thank You.