To our commencement speaker, distinguished guests, our beloved principal and assistant principal, school administrators, program heads, faculty members, proud and supportive parents, my friends and fellow candidates, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning and welcome to the 2019 STI Senior High School Commencement Exercises!!!
It is my honor to welcome each and everyone to this momentous occasion. My fellow candidates, today’s celebration is no doubt an icing on our cake. Yes, we’ve just made it through the long, tiresome, but indeed exciting two years of academics – two years of late night sleeps, two years of new knowledge and experiences, two years of unforgettable memories, two years of procrastinations, two years of walking through the hallways with the same people, and two years of academic journey full of twists and turns. Yes, it has been two years marked by countless physical and intellectual challenges that we were able to overcome.
It may seem like this is the end, but it’s not over yet. Yes, this is the end of our journey in high school, and we’ve made it to the finish line. But every finish line is just the beginning of a whole new journey. We ran this race together and we will branch out and run again through different paths. We can’t stop running just because we finished the race. The true finish line lies at the end of a happy and successful life. But we will not make it to the finish line with our own efforts alone.
So, it also fits the occasion that we acknowledge those people who have helped us finish the race and who have gotten us to where we are today, because the truth is, none of us would reach the finish line without their cheers, encouragements, love, and support.
To our awesome teachers, thank you for all your assistance while we have worked really hard to earn our diplomas. We have earned much knowledge, values, and success under your guidance and perseverance. Our memories of school life may not be complete without your sermons and long speeches. Again, thank you for guiding us, inspiring us, and making us what we are today.
To our proud and supportive parents, we are running out of superlatives to express our gratitude for your care and support over the years. Despite your tight budget, you have never complained about our costly projects (oh you always complained) and waited for us to come home even late at night. Nonetheless, we know how much you sacrificed. This achievement would have not been possible without your support. Thank you again, and we owe you our success. Through your effort and support, and by the grace of God, we have survived the past two years.
Finally, on behalf of all the candidates, I would like to send out my heartfelt thanks and warm welcome to all of you who join us here today. As we are about to finish this race marching on the aisle and on this stage, wearing white gowns, enjoying the academic caps in our heads as the wind plays with its tassels, let us all live the STI way. Let us all AIM HIGHER and DREAM BIGGER.
Once again, good morning, and welcome to the 2019 STI Senior High School Commencement Exercises!!!
This is the manuscript of the short graduation welcome speech delivered by Mark Kenneth Cortez during his senior high school graduation in April 2019.