Valedictorian Sara Chirco delivered the class welcome.
So I’m pretty sure there’s some generic format I’m supposed to use when starting out this speech. I’m skipping that. We all know why we’re here.
When I heard I was valedictorian I was like oh no . . . now I have to write a speech. Here we go again. Another paper. Great. But once I found out there was free food involved, it got a whole lot better. I know, that sounds terrible, but don’t worry. Eventually I realized what being valedictorian really meant. It wasn’t just great because of the free food I was promised. It was great because I could be the one standing here today, giving this speech. And letting you all know that I truly believe there is something great in store for all of us. We are all proving it here today, by being here, and graduating from MCC.
I know what you’re thinking. Would you stop talking about yourself already and move on? Fine. I will. I guess we can talk about you, the graduating class, now, and by you, I mean me again, because I am a part of you. But in all seriousness, I hope you have all put some thought into what you’re going to guilt your friends and family into buying you for this huge accomplishment. Graduating from college is a huge deal. We have all worked so hard to get here today. I’ve met so many hardworking people here at Middlesex. Some were fresh out of high school, struggling to find their passion and learning to juggle their newfound sense of educational freedom. Some were moms who are raising three kids, working two jobs, taking six classes each semester and somehow managing to get straight A’s. I get overwhelmed when I’m sprawled out on the couch trying to pick what channel to watch on TV. It’s amazing what you’ve all accomplished. What we have all accomplished here at MCC. It is a huge success.
Success has different meanings for different people. For students it’s making it to graduation or handing in a paper on time. For athletes it’s winning the big game or further developing their skills. For parents, it’s getting you out of the house…FINALLY getting you out of the house. Sorry Mom and Dad, you’re still stuck with me! But seriously, don’t let other people measure your success. You define your own success. We should all be proud that we are here today, no longer as students of MCC, but as graduates. And to quote Dora the Explorer, we did it!!
