Ms. Emily Pelz
Principal, Beloit Memorial High School
June 2022 - Class of 2022 Graduation Speech
Live with Integrity and Follow Your Passion
Class of 2022, today marks a significant and hard-earned milestone in your life. As you
sit here anxiously awaiting the opportunity to walk across this stage, I want you to
intentionally take this moment in. Look around and see your friends, family members,
teachers, and any other significant person here to support you on this very special day.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge this fine audience because, seniors, as much
as this day is about your accomplishments at Beloit Memorial High School, you would
not have made it to this moment without all of the love, encouragement, and support of
those around you. Think about those special people in your life, recognize those who
are with us here today, bursting with pride, and let’s give them a huge round of
applause for supporting you through this amazing accomplishment.
Graduation is a time to celebrate the culmination of your educational experience and
accomplishments thus far. It is not the end; it is the beginning of a new, perhaps even
more exciting and unpredictable journey that will open new doors for you and lead you
to the next steps in your life.
Your four years at Beloit Memorial High School have prepared you well for the next
journey you are about to embark upon. Whatever course your future takes, you can
expect that it will be different from your current reality.
We are no strangers to change, and no one knows what tomorrow may bring. We have
all witnessed how easily our lives can be altered. Still you have demonstrated
perseverance and resilience, and it is my hope that you will apply the skills you have
learned over these past four years to meet and deal with the changes and challenges
that life will continue to present.
You’ve grown into confident young adults with significant things to say and special
talents to share. Your high school years have provided opportunities for you to learn
your strengths and weaknesses in unconventional ways, and you have been placed in
situations that have made you push boundaries and forced you to take risks. You have
discovered a lot about yourselves, matured, and are ready to leave your mark on our
future world. I can promise you that your most rewarding days are yet to come!
Today we commence together, but you all have your own plans that will take you in
different directions. Some of you will continue your education at a college, university, or
technical school. Some of you will begin cultivating your passions through a career or
trade, and others will enter the military. No matter what you have in store for your future,
I encourage you to dream big but focus on your small personal wins.
Set goals for yourself and actively take the steps necessary to achieve them. Be a risk-
taker and balance your dreaming with actually doing. Live in the present and make
every day count. As you progress in life, continue learning and discovering ways to
contribute to society. Be open to others’ ideas, accept “different,” and embrace the
unknown. Capitalize on the enthusiasm you feel in this very moment and use it to propel
your future successes.
As you go forward, remember to be true to yourself and know your worth. Live with
integrity and follow your passion. When the going gets tough, stand up for what you
believe in, and when you need a support system, think about those who are here for
you today. Keep pushing forward with great determination because you are worth it, and
I know you can achieve your dreams.
Class of 2022, this is your day to celebrate!
Congratulations and good luck with all that is ahead of you.
