0:00:02.926,0:00:05.296
Incredible stuff, thank you so much.

0:00:05.296,0:00:09.117
That was unbelievable, really really exciting.

0:00:09.117,0:00:12.696
The graduates voted on who would give the valedictorian speech.

0:00:12.696,0:00:16.362
It's with my utmost pleasure to introduce this year's valedictorian,

0:00:16.362,0:00:18.129
Alessandro De Menech.

0:00:18.129,0:00:24.672
[applause]

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[in crowd] Let's go, Alessandro!

0:00:29.972,0:00:31.012
[clears throat]

0:00:31.111,0:00:33.846
Distinguished guests, teachers,

0:00:33.846,0:00:37.119
fellow students, and Lucas friends and families.

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Thank you so much for coming today to share our joys at graduation.

0:00:41.361,0:00:44.068
I am honoured to be the valedictorian today,

0:00:44.528,0:00:47.278
representing the Graduating Class of 2024.

0:00:48.172,0:00:49.318
As a starting note,

0:00:49.318,0:00:51.612
we’ve never had a graduation ceremony before,

0:00:51.612,0:00:54.192
so for a first run crossing the stage, that was pretty good.

0:00:54.192,0:00:56.260
Give yourselves a pat on the back.

0:00:58.374,0:01:00.274
As we reflect on our time here,

0:01:00.274,0:01:03.202
it's impossible to not review the journey we've shared together,

0:01:03.202,0:01:04.873
these past four years.

0:01:05.377,0:01:08.974
The first day of our classes in Grade 9 seems like just yesterday.

0:01:09.246,0:01:12.534
Every radio station was playing Roxanne on repeat,

0:01:12.534,0:01:16.771
and the phrases “you cooked” and “you ate” were referring to food.

0:01:17.520,0:01:20.534
Lifelong friends were divided into Cohort A and B,

0:01:20.534,0:01:22.527
and desks were placed 6 feet apart.

0:01:23.352,0:01:25.257
In-person learning was not for long,

0:01:25.257,0:01:27.596
as classes were soon moved online.

0:01:27.762,0:01:30.280
Lessons were done through early-morning Google Meets,

0:01:30.280,0:01:32.662
where all our laptop cameras suddenly “stopped working”,

0:01:32.662,0:01:35.911
and teachers would interact with their students like Twitch streamers.

0:01:36.571,0:01:39.201
There was nothing more embarrassing than forgetting to leave the Meet

0:01:39.201,0:01:41.308
half an hour after class ended.

0:01:42.444,0:01:44.441
This experience, however,

0:01:44.441,0:01:46.951
instilled in us a powerful sense of resilience.

0:01:47.218,0:01:49.858
We learned that even when faced with the unexpected,

0:01:49.858,0:01:51.267
we could persevere.

0:01:51.518,0:01:53.201
In the years that followed,

0:01:53.201,0:01:55.128
we slowly transitioned back to normal.

0:01:55.505,0:01:56.794
We grew so much,

0:01:56.794,0:01:59.344
from wearing blue masks, to stylish black ones,

0:01:59.344,0:02:03.391
and finally getting to see what the lower half of people’s faces looked like.

0:02:04.074,0:02:06.881
Regardless, it is in those moments of adversity

0:02:06.881,0:02:09.344
that we discovered the true strength of our character.

0:02:12.067,0:02:15.544
With cautious optimism, 2022 saw a gradual return

0:02:15.544,0:02:17.693
to some semblance of normalcy.

0:02:18.010,0:02:22.616
The posters telling us to stand “one Drake” apart were taken off the walls.

0:02:22.616,0:02:24.930
The joy of reuniting in classrooms,

0:02:24.930,0:02:26.356
hanging out with friends,

0:02:26.356,0:02:28.673
and getting to see other students walking through the halls ...

0:02:28.763,0:02:33.135
... these simple moments were magnified after two years of isolation.

0:02:33.336,0:02:37.902
The spirit of Lucas began to rekindle, brighter than ever before.

0:02:38.153,0:02:39.641
In the years that ensued,

0:02:39.641,0:02:41.309
we embraced these experiences,

0:02:41.309,0:02:44.074
cherishing the in-person connections we had missed.

0:02:45.042,0:02:46.642
Even in the face of adversity,

0:02:46.642,0:02:48.323
we Vikings stick together.

0:02:48.740,0:02:49.891
In the wintertime,

0:02:49.891,0:02:52.907
friend groups would trek together through snow banks and blizzards,

0:02:52.907,0:02:55.740
just because one person wanted a Popeyes chicken sandwich.

0:02:57.124,0:03:00.239
Now, we fight over who gets shotgun.

0:03:00.424,0:03:02.190
We shared the joys, heartaches,

0:03:02.190,0:03:05.597
and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with our teenage years,

0:03:05.597,0:03:06.700
but we also have had

0:03:06.700,0:03:08.823
our own unique experiences and challenges,

0:03:08.823,0:03:11.443
and our own unique situations with families and friends

0:03:11.443,0:03:13.722
that helped shape our character.

0:03:13.940,0:03:15.556
If it’s alright, I’d like to say some thank yous.

0:03:16.223,0:03:17.451
To our teachers ...

0:03:17.451,0:03:19.840
I know it couldn’t have been easy trying to instruct us

0:03:19.840,0:03:22.757
and impart to us the qualities for a successful future.

0:03:22.757,0:03:24.140
We thank you for your guidance

0:03:24.140,0:03:25.739
- and your patience.

0:03:26.257,0:03:27.756
To our families …

0:03:27.756,0:03:29.357
Thank you for your unwavering support

0:03:29.357,0:03:31.590
and sacrifices throughout our journey.

0:03:31.590,0:03:33.823
We couldn’t have done it without you.

0:03:34.090,0:03:35.223
And to students …

0:03:35.223,0:03:38.732
Thank you for making these past 4 years so memorable.

0:03:39.223,0:03:43.243
Some of us will be starting a new phase of our lives right here in London.

0:03:43.243,0:03:46.357
Some of us will be starting our new lives in far away places.

0:03:46.357,0:03:48.127
But whatever the circumstances,

0:03:48.127,0:03:51.238
we'll always have the memories of the last four years together.

0:03:52.971,0:03:55.121
I’m really going to miss you guys.

0:03:55.121,0:03:56.731
I’m going to miss spending time with friends,

0:03:56.731,0:03:58.828
going on adventures during lunch,

0:03:58.828,0:04:00.814
walking through the crowded hallways,

0:04:00.814,0:04:04.150
the Lucas sports teams, the Friday night football games,

0:04:04.150,0:04:06.837
the caf cookies, the walks to Smiley’s,

0:04:06.837,0:04:09.184
and even Dr. Loney’s Learning Portfolios. [audience groans]

0:04:09.184,0:04:10.564
[audience groans]

0:04:10.994,0:04:13.752
These past 4 years have been filled with laughter and fun,

0:04:13.752,0:04:16.198
and I have made incredible memories with so many of you

0:04:16.198,0:04:20.171
that I'll hold onto for so many years to come.

0:04:20.171,0:04:22.118
If there’s anything I’ve learned from our Lucas sports teams,

0:04:22.118,0:04:24.388
it’s that I should end this speech with a Vikes-on-3.

0:04:24.505,0:04:25.906
But I’d like to acknowledge,

0:04:25.906,0:04:29.372
we usually do this chant at the start of our games, not at the end.

0:04:29.372,0:04:31.471
So let this be symbolic,

0:04:31.471,0:04:34.588
not as the end of a previous chapter of our lives,

0:04:34.588,0:04:36.768
but as the beginning of a new one.

0:04:37.154,0:04:39.345
We vikings are going forth and conquering:

0:04:39.345,0:04:41.138
some of us returning in the fall,

0:04:41.138,0:04:43.200
some of us going off into the world.

0:04:43.200,0:04:47.004
This may be the last time we will ever be assembled together in one place.

0:04:47.604,0:04:49.154
I'm sure that in the coming years,

0:04:49.154,0:04:51.647
everyone's paths will cross many times over.

0:04:51.936,0:04:53.566
When you see a fellow Viking,

0:04:53.566,0:04:55.321
make sure to stop and say hi.

0:04:55.321,0:04:57.620
Because once a Viking, always a Viking.

0:04:58.503,0:05:01.416
So if everyone’s ready, for one last time,

0:05:01.416,0:05:02.418
Vikes on three!

0:05:02.418,0:05:04.854
[1, 2, 3, VIKES!]

0:05:04.854,0:05:06.362
Thank you. [audience cheers]

0:05:06.362,0:05:16.963
[audience cheers]

0:05:17.224,0:05:19.126
Wonderful job, Alessandro, that was incredible.

0:05:19.166,0:05:20.559
I would like to call vice-principal

0:05:20.559,0:05:22.345
Ms. Jamie Brosel up to present Alessandro

0:05:22.345,0:05:24.555
with a special gift to say thank you.

0:05:31.805,0:05:34.352
Greetings everyone,

0:05:34.352,0:05:35.793
Thank you Alessandro for your

0:05:35.793,0:05:38.168
words of reflection as valedictorian,

0:05:38.168,0:05:40.717
Would you kindly join me again here?

0:05:40.717,0:05:41.783
Thank you.

0:05:42.233,0:05:45.367
We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,

0:05:45.367,0:05:46.255
Thank you very much.

0:05:46.255,0:05:48.477
Thank you. [applause]

0:05:48.477,0:05:56.165
[applause]

0:05:57.162,0:05:58.362
Ooookay.

0:05:58.813,0:06:01.234
I know you love hearing from me, students...

0:06:01.234,0:06:02.869
[audience laughs]

0:06:03.205,0:06:07.543
So, here are my last words to you,

0:06:07.543,0:06:11.000
if I don't find you in the bathroom again on Monday!