“Good evening, members of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Parra, Mrs. Carozza-McCaffrey, Administration, Faculty, Staff, families, and friends. First, I want to extend my congratulations to my classmates. We have all come so far in four years. I am honored to be standing here representing the Maria Regina High School Class of ‘22.
The greatest minds in human history have contemplated the nature and necessity of truth. Benjamin Franklin declared, for example; “Half a truth is often a great lie.” Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all…are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” Martin Luther said: “Peace if possible, truth at all costs.”
But, the most memorable of these ideas for me is not from any famous inventor, president, or theologian, but is instead from our own Ms. Judith Furnari. Throughout my ninth grade English Honors class, Ms. Furnari fervently emphasized to us that our theme for the year was “Everyone must bear witness to the truth.” This statement was hung in bold letters on bright orange paper in the back of her classroom, reminding me to make that connection in all of my writing.
Four years later, I had completely forgotten about this, until I walked into Ms. Furnari’s room just a few weeks ago and saw the sign still hanging in its place on the wall. I have spent the past several weeks reflecting on this and contemplating the truth in my life, and I would like to share some of the most important truths I have learned during my time at Maria Regina.
Truth Number One: the importance of advocating for ourselves.
Maria Regina has constantly pushed us to use our voices to support the things we are passionate about. Throughout my time here, I have learned how to stand up for myself and push back against injustice. This is a skill that will serve us all well as we continue through life. As we enter the next phases of our lives, continue to do so. We should be leaders, fight for what we believe in, and forge a path to wherever our passions lead us.
From experiencing a global pandemic to issues including racial and gender equality, we are currently witnessing times of great change, rife with adversity and injustice. We should use this opportunity not only to advocate for ourselves, but also to advocate for the rights of those who cannot do so for themselves. We must uphold this principle throughout our lives.
Truth Number Two: the importance of seeking knowledge.
One thing I have thoroughly enjoyed about my time at Maria Regina has been the opportunity to explore subjects I am interested in. From topics in biology to anatomy and physiology, I am entering college with the knowledge of what academic areas interest me, and I am excited to continue to investigate these and many others during the rest of my academic experience.
But academic knowledge is not the only kind that has significant value, and Maria Regina has emphasized this through the many extracurricular opportunities we have been encouraged to participate in. In fact, just a few weeks ago, Mr.Thomas Muratore shared Thomas Huxley’s advice to “try to learn something about everything and everything about something,” with me, and I wish to relay the same advice to everyone. In the future, whether it’s astrophysics or basketball or baking, continue to find things that excite you and seek all of the knowledge you can about that subject. Be curious, ask questions, and learn as much as you can.
Truth Number Three: the importance of serving others.
Nearly every aspect of a Maria Regina education places a special emphasis on what we can do to help those around us. I fondly remember experiences such as creating care packages for women at the Samaritan House Women’s Shelter this spring. I have learned so much about being grateful for the many things that I consider basic, but many consider to be privileges. We should carry this lesson with us as we move through life. We should consider how our actions impact others, and always make an effort to improve someone else’s situation.
Service to others is often one of the most fulfilling experiences we can have. And, I think it is important to acknowledge those who have served us. On behalf of the class of ‘22, I would like to thank our teachers who have been our mentors these past four years, and who have guided and encouraged us to become the best versions of ourselves in all of our endeavors. Thank you to the administration and the staff for dedicating yourselves to our wellbeing and making Maria Regina the best it can be.
Thank you to the friends we have made here at Maria Regina. I am incredibly glad that I have made so many new friendships during this past year, something I was not entirely expecting. Most of our brightest and most treasured memories at Maria Regina have been those spent with our classmates. Our friends have the power to shape who we are as individuals, and I am confident that I have picked some great ones to shape me.
Furthermore, to my parents, thank you for everything you have sacrificed that has led to me standing here today. Through every adversity I have faced, you have always been my greatest supporters. And to my sister, Kaitlyn, thank you for being my best friend and for always believing in me and pushing me to succeed. I think I speak for all of my classmates when I say that we would not be where we are today without the support of our families, so thank you to all of the parents, siblings, and family members in attendance tonight.
Before I conclude, I would like to offer some final words to my classmates. As we embark on this new journey in our lives, we must always remember to bear witness to our own truths. We should take the lessons we have learned from our time at Maria Regina and change the world around us. Fight for what you believe in, advocate for yourself and others, and above all, become the quintessential versions of yourselves, and be unapologetically you. We are all on constant journeys of self-growth, so continue to give yourselves the room and the opportunity for discovery. These three truths have helped us develop our senses of self, and if we honor our responsibility to remain faithful to them, I am confident that we will leave the world a much better place than how we found it.”
