It's Not You, It's Us

Transcript of Emily Staple's Commencement Speech given at the Graduation Ceremony of Blue Valley Northwest High School 2016

Dear Blue Valley Northwest,

I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but I’m breaking up with you. In fact, the whole class of 2016 is breaking up with you. I know you've heard this from a lot of other graduating classes and have had your fair share of heart breaks. But please don’t cry and make this harder than it already is. I promise it’s not you, it’s us. We’ve had a great run high school, but it’s time for us to move on. If I’m being honest, I’ve been seeing someone else. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this, but you deserve to know. All the seniors have have been looking at different schools to move on to. I, along with my classmates, have a lot ahead of us. We've reached a point where we'll be holding each other back if we continue to stay here together.

Don’t get me wrong high school, we had a great connection. There were highs and lows, of course; I think everyone will admit that. I look back on my cringe-worthy pictures from freshman homecoming. I had no idea how to pluck my eyebrows, wore clip on earrings because I still hadn’t gotten my ears pierced, and was rocking the braces. Sweetheart didn’t look much better that year in my mint green high low dress. Times were rough, and high school, you, hadn’t treated me very well yet. I was miserable. I had made no new friends, joined no new clubs, and was slowly disappearing into nonexistence as others made their mark.

The class of 2016 has achieved a lot throughout this high school relationship. We are the class that went from losing to the staff our first spirit week to beating the seniors our sophomore year. The class of average students turned super geniuses. We’ve seen students achieve academic excellence with the numerous merit scholars, honors students, perfect ACT, PSAT, and SAT scores. Other students went far in athletic tournaments and become state champions this year. While some competed at the highest levels in DECA, Chess, Journalism, We the People, Mock Trial, Cheer, and Dance competitions. This class put in a lot of hard work and hours to get to this place. So much so it might be hard for some to recognize their freshman year self.

But me, my transformation took a while to recognize. Then as time passed, being with you, high school, taught me about greater things than math and reading. You taught me about myself. I learned that I couldn’t sit back and hope opportunities found me. I learned to be a fighter and go after the things I wanted in life. I joined STUGO, Peeps, REbeL, and Newspaper. I started to find my place and met the most amazing people along the way. I not only blossomed physically, but mentally. I stopped letting life pass me as I mopped about wishing I could be someone else. I always thought I wanted to be cool, popular, and accepted. But I realized the only person I truly needed acceptance from was myself, and high school, I found that while I was with you.

So while yes, the entire class is breaking up with you, We will never forget you. We will never forget feeling the vibrations of students in the bleachers during spirit assemblies. We will never forget staying well after the final bell had rung to hang out in the locker area with friends or go to club meetings or practices. We will never forget the embrace of the school after our fellow classmate passed away.

And high school, don’t forget the class of 2016. The class full of the most amazing transformations. The shy boy turned homecoming prince. The athletic girl turned superstar journalist. And me. Remember me as the girl who found some part of herself. The girl who today walks out these doors with a graduation cap and her head held a lot higher than it was four years ago.

Sincerely,

Emily Staples