1
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Incredible stuff, thank you so much.

2
00:00:05,296 --> 00:00:09,117
That was unbelievable, really really exciting.

3
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The graduates voted on who would give the valedictorian speech.

4
00:00:12,696 --> 00:00:16,362
It's with my utmost pleasure to introduce this year's valedictorian,

5
00:00:16,362 --> 00:00:18,129
Alessandro De Menech.

6
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[applause]

7
00:00:24,782 --> 00:00:26,662
[in crowd] Let's go, Alessandro!

8
00:00:29,972 --> 00:00:31,012
[clears throat]

9
00:00:31,111 --> 00:00:33,846
Distinguished guests, teachers,

10
00:00:33,846 --> 00:00:37,119
fellow students, and Lucas friends and families.

11
00:00:37,428 --> 00:00:41,221
Thank you so much for coming today to share our joys at graduation.

12
00:00:41,361 --> 00:00:44,068
I am honoured to be the valedictorian today,

13
00:00:44,528 --> 00:00:47,278
representing the Graduating Class of 2024.

14
00:00:48,172 --> 00:00:49,318
As a starting note,

15
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we’ve never had a graduation ceremony before,

16
00:00:51,612 --> 00:00:54,192
so for a first run crossing the stage, that was pretty good.

17
00:00:54,192 --> 00:00:56,260
Give yourselves a pat on the back.

18
00:00:58,374 --> 00:01:00,274
As we reflect on our time here,

19
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it's impossible to not review the journey we've shared together,

20
00:01:03,202 --> 00:01:04,873
these past four years.

21
00:01:05,377 --> 00:01:08,974
The first day of our classes in Grade 9 seems like just yesterday.

22
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Every radio station was playing Roxanne on repeat,

23
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and the phrases “you cooked” and “you ate” were referring to food.

24
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Lifelong friends were divided into Cohort A and B,

25
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and desks were placed 6 feet apart.

26
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In-person learning was not for long,

27
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as classes were soon moved online.

28
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Lessons were done through early-morning Google Meets,

29
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where all our laptop cameras suddenly “stopped working”,

30
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and teachers would interact with their students like Twitch streamers.

31
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There was nothing more embarrassing than forgetting to leave the Meet

32
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half an hour after class ended.

33
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This experience, however,

34
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instilled in us a powerful sense of resilience.

35
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We learned that even when faced with the unexpected,

36
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we could persevere.

37
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In the years that followed,

38
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we slowly transitioned back to normal.

39
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We grew so much,

40
00:01:56,794 --> 00:01:59,344
from wearing blue masks, to stylish black ones,

41
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and finally getting to see what the lower half of people’s faces looked like.

42
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Regardless, it is in those moments of adversity

43
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that we discovered the true strength of our character.

44
00:02:12,067 --> 00:02:15,544
With cautious optimism, 2022 saw a gradual return

45
00:02:15,544 --> 00:02:17,693
to some semblance of normalcy.

46
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The posters telling us to stand “one Drake” apart were taken off the walls.

47
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The joy of reuniting in classrooms,

48
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hanging out with friends,

49
00:02:26,356 --> 00:02:28,673
and getting to see other students walking through the halls ...

50
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... these simple moments were magnified after two years of isolation.

51
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The spirit of Lucas began to rekindle, brighter than ever before.

52
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In the years that ensued,

53
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we embraced these experiences,

54
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cherishing the in-person connections we had missed.

55
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Even in the face of adversity,

56
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we Vikings stick together.

57
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In the wintertime,

58
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friend groups would trek together through snow banks and blizzards,

59
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just because one person wanted a Popeyes chicken sandwich.

60
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Now, we fight over who gets shotgun.

61
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We shared the joys, heartaches,

62
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and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with our teenage years,

63
00:03:05,597 --> 00:03:06,700
but we also have had

64
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our own unique experiences and challenges,

65
00:03:08,823 --> 00:03:11,443
and our own unique situations with families and friends

66
00:03:11,443 --> 00:03:13,722
that helped shape our character.

67
00:03:13,940 --> 00:03:15,556
If it’s alright, I’d like to say some thank yous.

68
00:03:16,223 --> 00:03:17,451
To our teachers ...

69
00:03:17,451 --> 00:03:19,840
I know it couldn’t have been easy trying to instruct us

70
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and impart to us the qualities for a successful future.

71
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We thank you for your guidance

72
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- and your patience.

73
00:03:26,257 --> 00:03:27,756
To our families …

74
00:03:27,756 --> 00:03:29,357
Thank you for your unwavering support

75
00:03:29,357 --> 00:03:31,590
and sacrifices throughout our journey.

76
00:03:31,590 --> 00:03:33,823
We couldn’t have done it without you.

77
00:03:34,090 --> 00:03:35,223
And to students …

78
00:03:35,223 --> 00:03:38,732
Thank you for making these past 4 years so memorable.

79
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Some of us will be starting a new phase of our lives right here in London.

80
00:03:43,243 --> 00:03:46,357
Some of us will be starting our new lives in far away places.

81
00:03:46,357 --> 00:03:48,127
But whatever the circumstances,

82
00:03:48,127 --> 00:03:51,238
we'll always have the memories of the last four years together.

83
00:03:52,971 --> 00:03:55,121
I’m really going to miss you guys.

84
00:03:55,121 --> 00:03:56,731
I’m going to miss spending time with friends,

85
00:03:56,731 --> 00:03:58,828
going on adventures during lunch,

86
00:03:58,828 --> 00:04:00,814
walking through the crowded hallways,

87
00:04:00,814 --> 00:04:04,150
the Lucas sports teams, the Friday night football games,

88
00:04:04,150 --> 00:04:06,837
the caf cookies, the walks to Smiley’s,

89
00:04:06,837 --> 00:04:09,184
and even Dr. Loney’s Learning Portfolios. [audience groans]

90
00:04:09,184 --> 00:04:10,564
[audience groans]

91
00:04:10,994 --> 00:04:13,752
These past 4 years have been filled with laughter and fun,

92
00:04:13,752 --> 00:04:16,198
and I have made incredible memories with so many of you

93
00:04:16,198 --> 00:04:20,171
that I'll hold onto for so many years to come.

94
00:04:20,171 --> 00:04:22,118
If there’s anything I’ve learned from our Lucas sports teams,

95
00:04:22,118 --> 00:04:24,388
it’s that I should end this speech with a Vikes-on-3.

96
00:04:24,505 --> 00:04:25,906
But I’d like to acknowledge,

97
00:04:25,906 --> 00:04:29,372
we usually do this chant at the start of our games, not at the end.

98
00:04:29,372 --> 00:04:31,471
So let this be symbolic,

99
00:04:31,471 --> 00:04:34,588
not as the end of a previous chapter of our lives,

100
00:04:34,588 --> 00:04:36,768
but as the beginning of a new one.

101
00:04:37,154 --> 00:04:39,345
We vikings are going forth and conquering:

102
00:04:39,345 --> 00:04:41,138
some of us returning in the fall,

103
00:04:41,138 --> 00:04:43,200
some of us going off into the world.

104
00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,004
This may be the last time we will ever be assembled together in one place.

105
00:04:47,604 --> 00:04:49,154
I'm sure that in the coming years,

106
00:04:49,154 --> 00:04:51,647
everyone's paths will cross many times over.

107
00:04:51,936 --> 00:04:53,566
When you see a fellow Viking,

108
00:04:53,566 --> 00:04:55,321
make sure to stop and say hi.

109
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Because once a Viking, always a Viking.

110
00:04:58,503 --> 00:05:01,416
So if everyone’s ready, for one last time,

111
00:05:01,416 --> 00:05:02,418
Vikes on three!

112
00:05:02,418 --> 00:05:04,854
[1, 2, 3, VIKES!]

113
00:05:04,854 --> 00:05:06,362
Thank you. [audience cheers]

114
00:05:06,362 --> 00:05:16,963
[audience cheers]

115
00:05:17,224 --> 00:05:19,126
Wonderful job, Alessandro, that was incredible.

116
00:05:19,166 --> 00:05:20,559
I would like to call vice-principal

117
00:05:20,559 --> 00:05:22,345
Ms. Jamie Brosel up to present Alessandro

118
00:05:22,345 --> 00:05:24,555
with a special gift to say thank you.

119
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Greetings everyone,

120
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Thank you Alessandro for your

121
00:05:35,793 --> 00:05:38,168
words of reflection as valedictorian,

122
00:05:38,168 --> 00:05:40,717
Would you kindly join me again here?

123
00:05:40,717 --> 00:05:41,783
Thank you.

124
00:05:42,233 --> 00:05:45,367
We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,

125
00:05:45,367 --> 00:05:46,255
Thank you very much.

126
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Thank you. [applause]

127
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[applause]

128
00:05:57,162 --> 00:05:58,362
Ooookay.

129
00:05:58,813 --> 00:06:01,234
I know you love hearing from me, students...

130
00:06:01,234 --> 00:06:02,869
[audience laughs]

131
00:06:03,205 --> 00:06:07,543
So, here are my last words to you,

132
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if I don't find you in the bathroom again on Monday!