J Delaney's Valedictorian Address from Grossmont High School

Now let me start off with the three words you've all been waiting to hear: I'll be brief. It's an honor to be speaking in front of such of a great group of people. You've spent at least 4,500 hours going to classes here, now we have just a few hours left. And all I really have to say is congratulations.

Every student here has worked hard to get to this point. We've all written countless essays, lost sleep over last-minute projects, and made way too many powerpoint presentations. We've braved power outages, bee swarms, and constant construction noises. We have earned this.

Every family here deserves congratulations too. Each one of you has helped play a role in these students being here today. You've provided support, help with homework, and sandwiches for lunch. Now I normally don't like to use the word “nagging,” but I'm sure none of you will hear this from your child, so I feel it's my responsibility as valedictorian to say “thank you for nagging us.” We've all needed it at one time or another to get our work done.

Each of us has had a teacher or teachers that have greatly influenced us, or for some of us: just put up with us. Many teachers go above and beyond to help students in need. It may be a while before you see them again, so before you leave be sure to tell them how much they had an effect on you. Be sure to carry that effect forward, do what they did.

But, even though we've all worked so hard, life isn't going to suddenly become easy. After this we're all going our separate ways: the military, college, workforce, and some of us are even still figuring out where we want to go. Each of these will provide unique challenges and will require just as much work. I know that we're all going to do well though. Us being here today has shown that we have the willpower and ability to achieve what we set out to do.

Christopher Morley said “There is only one success; to be able to spend your life in your own way.” So my only piece of advice for today is to do what you love with your life. Thank you.