This is a transcript of the speech I gave on May 15, 2025 to the Cutter Morning Star Class of 2025.
Four thousand three hundred and twenty hours.
That’s how long four years of high school adds up to. At the beginning, it sounded like forever. But looking back, it feels like it went by in a flash.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and fellow graduates.
First of all, I want to give a huge thanks to all of you who have supported us over these past four years.
Thank you to the teachers who put up with us when we turned in our math homework a few days late or forgot a few commas. Thanks for writing us last-minute letters of recommendation and giving up your time to chaperone us at various conventions and competitions. But most importantly, thank you for teaching us to be not only better students, but better people. We wouldn’t be here today without your support.
To the staff who kept the school running behind the scenes, thank you for everything you do.
To our families, thank you for buying us a poster board at nine o’clock at night when we suddenly remembered there was a presentation due the next day. Thank you for dragging us out of bed at 6:30 in the morning, even when we begged for five more minutes. And thank you for pouring your time, money, and energy into our future. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Most importantly, I want to thank the Lord. He gave us strength when we were tired, peace when we were stressed, and purpose when we weren’t sure what came next.
And especially, thank you to the Class of 2025. We’ve laughed, struggled, and made memories that will last long after we leave this building.
They tell you when you start high school that the next four years will fly by; that the next four-thousand three hundred and twenty hours will be the fastest of your life; to enjoy them while you still can. What they don’t tell you is there’s moments you’ll miss before they’re even over: the last sports game, the last time you hear that one teacher yell, “get to class!”, the last time you pretend to write that essay while you’re really chatting with your friends, the last time you laugh about that one video of your principal running full speed down the hall and clearing an entire flight of stairs (shoutout Mr. Stage), the last time you say good morning to Mrs. Bissell. Here’s the thing: those moments are what make high school special.
As I look back on those four thousand three hundred and twenty hours, I don’t remember every test or assignment. But I do remember the people. I remember the teachers who saw something in us before we saw it in ourselves. I remember the classmates who made even the worst days bearable. I remember the split seconds in between the big moments: the inside jokes, the lunch table conversations, the times we were just figuring things out together.
High school wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. We learned a lot, not just in class, but about who we are and what matters to us. And even though today is the end of one part of our lives, it’s the beginning of everything that comes next.
From here, we’ll go in forty-eight different directions. Some of us will head to college, others to work, to the military, or to something else entirely. Right now, I’m looking at future doctors, nurses, physical therapists, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, accountants, graphic designers, tattoo artists, and much more. No matter what path we take or where we end up, we’ll always have this time that we spent together here at Cutter Morning Star.
So to the Cutter Morning Star Class of two thousand twenty-five: thank you. For the memories, the friendships, and the moments that made these four-thousand three hundred twenty hours unforgettable.
Congratulations. We made it.