Over the past 18 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to make amazing memories. Many of these memories I owe to my class. I have been in school with them since the age of 3, and we were always getting into trouble. From fighting in the book mobile to hiding under teachers’ desks when they were gone, there was never a dull moment in over the past 15 years. Everything I have accomplished and am, I owe to my classmates and teachers at Bryce Valley High School.
I want to thank all of the teachers we have had over the years. I have seen teachers move, retire, and struggle with hardships of their own, but they have always managed to make each student they taught feel special.
Thank you to our elementary teachers for teaching us the basics of writing, math, and history. Thank you to our preschool and kindergarten teachers for making sure we were able to write our names and count to 50. Thank you to our high school teachers for allowing us to grow over the past six years. We have spent so much time at school that our teachers become a second family to us.
Thank you to my classmates for teaching me that it is okay to grow and change, and not only is it allowed, but it is essential.
I have learned so many lessons from my classmates throughout the years. I learned kindness and compassion, I have learned the importance of a good laugh, and I have learned to never settle for anything.
I want to thank my Co-Valedictorian Milo Atwood for always being there to help me with homework and giving me competition to beat. Thank you to my class for being amazing friends and family, and I will miss you so much when we no longer see each other every day.
– by Trinity Whitfield, Valedictorian, Bryce Valley High School
Feature image caption: Trinity Whitfield says thank you to everyone who helped get her here.
An address delivered at graduation commencement at Bryce Valley High School, May 25, 2022.
Read about Bryce Valley’s 2023 graduation in How to Find a ‘Happy Life’: Lessons from BV’s Graduation.