National Honor Society President Yescenia Zarinana
BACH Student, Beloit Memorial High School
June 2024 - Graduation Speech
Celebrating Family, Legends, and Black Excellence
Good morning, esteemed guests, faculty, families, and fellow graduates. Today marks a significant milestone
we eagerly anticipated during our high school years. Counting down the years as we moved from freshmen to
sophomores, to juniors, and finally to seniors. Where did all the time go?
It's a privilege to stand before everyone today, armed hopefully with a bearable speech.
As we gather here this morning, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come since our awkward first days of
high school, when our biggest concerns were figuring out how to connect to our Zoom classes, making sure we
were paying attention in class, and finishing that assignment before 11:59 p.m.
Our journey has not been without its challenges. We have grappled with academic pressures, extracurricular
commitments, and the daunting task of charting our path in an ever-changing world. We’ve faced moments of
doubt, uncertainty, self-discovery, and fighting with questions of identity, purpose, and belonging. And yet,
through it all, we have emerged stronger, more resilient, and more determined than ever before.
We have learned the value of perseverance, the power of resilience, and the beauty of embracing our authentic
selves. We’ve discovered our passions, honed our talents, and forged lifelong friendships. We have realized that
our greatest strengths lie in our individual achievements and our collective ability to lift each other up and
inspire positive change in the world.
At this time, on behalf of the Class of 2024, I would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude.
Thank you to our families for your unwavering support. Thank you to our teachers and mentors for your
patience and unwavering belief in our potential, which have empowered us to reach new heights. Thank you for
shaping us into the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you also to everyone here today celebrating the Class of 2024.
You have a part of each one of our lives.
And finally, to my fellow graduates.
As we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our lives, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges that
await us, from navigating the complexities of higher education to entering the competitive job market. So, let us
embrace the future with optimism and grace. Let us remember that life is a journey filled with unexpected twists
and turns and that laughter and positivity are often the best remedies for life's inevitable curveballs.
Let us never lose sight of our dreams, for they are the compass that guides us through the darkest of times. As
we stand on the threshold of a new beginning, let us draw inspiration from the countless possibilities that lie
before us.
Let us embrace the challenges that await us with courage, determination, and purpose. Let us dare to
dream big, pursue our passions with unwavering commitment, and never lose sight of the values that define us
as individuals.
Congratulations, Class of 2024! As we bid farewell to the halls of BMHS, let us carry with us the lessons
we've learned, the memories we've made, and the friendships we've made along the way. As we embark on
this next chapter of our lives, let us do so with open hearts, curious minds, and a steadfast belief in our ability
to make a difference in the world. Thank you, and here’s to a future filled with laughter, love, and endless
possibilities.
