WEBVTT

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Incredible stuff, thank you so much.

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That was unbelievable, really really exciting.

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The graduates voted on who would give the valedictorian speech.

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It's with my utmost pleasure to introduce this year's valedictorian,

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Alessandro De Menech.

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[applause]

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[in crowd] Let's go, Alessandro!

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[clears throat]

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Distinguished guests, teachers,

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fellow students, and Lucas friends and families.

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

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I am honoured to be the valedictorian today,

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representing the Graduating Class of 2024.

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As a starting note,

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we’ve never had a graduation ceremony before,

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so for a first run crossing the stage, that was pretty good.

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Give yourselves a pat on the back.

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As we reflect on our time here,

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

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these past four years.

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The first day of our classes in Grade 9 seems like just yesterday.

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Every radio station was playing Roxanne on repeat,

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

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Lifelong friends were divided into Cohort A and B,

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and desks were placed 6 feet apart.

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In-person learning was not for long,

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as classes were soon moved online.

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Lessons were done through early-morning Google Meets,

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where all our laptop cameras suddenly “stopped working”,

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and teachers would interact with their students like Twitch streamers.

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There was nothing more embarrassing than forgetting to leave the Meet

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half an hour after class ended.

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This experience, however,

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instilled in us a powerful sense of resilience.

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We learned that even when faced with the unexpected,

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we could persevere.

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In the years that followed,

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we slowly transitioned back to normal.

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We grew so much,

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from wearing blue masks, to stylish black ones,

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

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Regardless, it is in those moments of adversity

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that we discovered the true strength of our character.

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With cautious optimism, 2022 saw a gradual return

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to some semblance of normalcy.

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

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The joy of reuniting in classrooms,

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hanging out with friends,

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and getting to see other students walking through the halls ...

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

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

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In the years that ensued,

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we embraced these experiences,

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cherishing the in-person connections we had missed.

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Even in the face of adversity,

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we Vikings stick together.

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In the wintertime,

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friend groups would trek together through snow banks and blizzards,

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just because one person wanted a Popeyes chicken sandwich.

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Now, we fight over who gets shotgun.

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We shared the joys, heartaches,

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

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but we also have had

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our own unique experiences and challenges,

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and our own unique situations with families and friends

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that helped shape our character.

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If it’s alright, I’d like to say some thank yous.

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To our teachers ...

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I know it couldn’t have been easy trying to instruct us

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and impart to us the qualities for a successful future.

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We thank you for your guidance

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- and your patience.

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To our families …

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Thank you for your unwavering support

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and sacrifices throughout our journey.

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We couldn’t have done it without you.

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And to students …

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Thank you for making these past 4 years so memorable.

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

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Some of us will be starting our new lives in far away places.

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But whatever the circumstances,

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we'll always have the memories of the last four years together.

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I’m really going to miss you guys.

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I’m going to miss spending time with friends,

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going on adventures during lunch,

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walking through the crowded hallways,

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the Lucas sports teams, the Friday night football games,

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the caf cookies, the walks to Smiley’s,

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and even Dr. Loney’s Learning Portfolios. [audience groans]

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[audience groans]

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These past 4 years have been filled with laughter and fun,

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and I have made incredible memories with so many of you

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that I'll hold onto for so many years to come.

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If there’s anything I’ve learned from our Lucas sports teams,

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it’s that I should end this speech with a Vikes-on-3.

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But I’d like to acknowledge,

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we usually do this chant at the start of our games, not at the end.

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So let this be symbolic,

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not as the end of a previous chapter of our lives,

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but as the beginning of a new one.

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We vikings are going forth and conquering:

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some of us returning in the fall,

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some of us going off into the world.

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This may be the last time we will ever be assembled together in one place.

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I'm sure that in the coming years,

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everyone's paths will cross many times over.

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When you see a fellow Viking,

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make sure to stop and say hi.

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Because once a Viking, always a Viking.

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So if everyone’s ready, for one last time,

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Vikes on three!

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[1, 2, 3, VIKES!]

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Thank you. [audience cheers]

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[audience cheers]

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Wonderful job, Alessandro, that was incredible.

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I would like to call vice-principal

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Ms. Jamie Brosel up to present Alessandro

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with a special gift to say thank you.

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Greetings everyone,

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Thank you Alessandro for your

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words of reflection as valedictorian,

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Would you kindly join me again here?

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Thank you.

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We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you. [applause]

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[applause]

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Ooookay.

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I know you love hearing from me, students...

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[audience laughs]

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So, here are my last words to you,

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