Just Write

Speech: Four Simple Rules

Author's Note

So, I just graduated from senior high school last May 30, 2023. Here's my valedictorian speech. :))

To start of this speech, I would like to greet our dear school director, Rev. Fr. Neil Vincent M. Tacbas, our beloved school principal, Sister Helen B. Aldevera, to our dear faculty, staff, and administrators. Our parents, visitors, friends, and of course, to our completers and to my fellow graduates. A blessed morning to all of you.

When I found out that I was running for this title, I honestly didn't know what to feel. Yes, I am thankful for this award but then I realized—that this speech is like a closing remark for this chapter in our lives.

For Grade 10 completers, some of you might still be contemplating what strand to take for senior high school. For the kinder pupils, you probably haven't thought about your future that much because in your age, you worry less and simple things make you happy. For the Grade 6 graduates, maybe some of you are wondering what it's like to be a high school student. Well, all I can say is that brace yourselves because the worst is yet to come. I'm not trying to scare you but you know, high school is not all that bad.

It is a time in your life where you could stumble and fall but you could also build relationships that could last a lifetime. You will do crazy things together with your classmates. You could have your break downs together when you become stressed out with your thesis—or stressed out with your group mates. High school is the time when you will start growing into a different version of yourself. These will be the years wherein you could discover what you're good at. Your teachers will challenge you and will foster your potential.

For us, Grade 12, this is the last page of our journey as a high school student. Now, that we're here, the next question that pops into our minds is "What comes next?". We will now embark into a bigger world called college.

In life, I only follow four simple rules. First rule, write your own story. Some of us might still be dependent with our parents or guardian and that is okay. But at some point, you will have to make tough decisions which will build who you are. If you made a mistake, don't stop writing. In the future when you read back to your previous pages, you will realize that you've come a long way. Second rule, focus on your story alone and never compare. As a student, I used to be grade-conscious and often compare myself to others in all aspects which caused insecurities. Hence, I made this rule to myself because I realized comparing yourself will do you no good. It will make you underestimate yourself. Third rule, have faith in yourself. Even if the whole world is against your dreams and ambitions, as long as you believe in yourself and keep on going, you will reach your dreams in God's time. Fourth rule, let God guide you while you are writing your story and have trust in His plan.

You know, when I was in my junior high school years, I often lose my ballpen. When I was still wearing the same maroon school uniform during junior high; I couldn't forget how deep the pockets of that uniform are. They are so deep that your whole house could fit inside. You can put your wallet, cellphone, air pods, ballpen, food, umbrella, and a whole lot more. I even remember my former classmate managed to fit the chicken of Mang Inasal inside that pocket. Kudos to the one who designed that uniform. It made our life easier. It made my bag almost empty because all of the things that I needed could fit inside those pockets. However, for some reason, I still keep losing my pen no matter how secure it was inside my pocket.

Life could also be like that. We all know that we hold the pen to write our stories. We have the power to write that story the way we want but sometimes we could lose that pen and feel lost. We don't know what to write next. And I just want to remind you, that's okay. It's perfectly normal. If you feel like you don't know who you are, you don't know what you're good at, you don't know what your purpose is, that's okay. You don't have to feel pressured if some of your friends have their lives all planned out. Like what they say, life is not a race. You will slowly find the answers to those questions as long as you have faith in yourself and in God.

Now, I want to show you something, you see these pens? This collection shows a sign of maturity. These are empty pens that I've collected, and I am proud of myself for emptying each pen and managing not to lose it like before. Kidding aside, these empty pens could symbolize each chapter in my life that I finished writing. I'll probably buy a new set of pens for college, and I might need a lot.

Before officially ending this chapter of our student life, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dear parents who gave their endless support in any way that they can for their children. Especially, to my dad, who is always there for me to listen to my chikas and rants during dinner. To my mom, who came all the way here from our province. Thank you to the both of you, for raising me to the person that I am today. To our beloved teachers who helped us get out of our comfort zone so that we could gain more experience and learn new knowledge. To Sir John, our adviser, thank you for being our roadmap during this school year. To my classmates who made my last school year as a senior high school student more colorful and fun. To my best friends from junior high school and childhood, thank you for being there for me during the weakest points of my life. And of course, to our almighty God who is always there for us when we fall down and always there to celebrate with us during our successes. Once again, good morning and congratulations to all of us! Thank you.