Schools

Penncrest 2012 Valedictorian, Salutatorian Speeches

Check out the speeches from Penncrest's top graduates.

Valedictorian Anup Singh will attend the University of Pennsylvania as a Vagelos Scholar in the Molecular Life Sciences in the fall. He plans to double major in physics and biochemistry.

Salutatorian Andrew Thomas Kaiden will attend University of Virginia in the fall as part of the Echols Scholar Program, and plans to double major in math and finance.

Watch . Check out and be sure to . Below are the speeches from top graduates. 

Find out what's happening in Mediawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Valedictorian Anup Singh's Speech

Good evening. The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, “wherever you go, go with all your heart.” This, I believe, sums up the next step in our lives.

Find out what's happening in Mediawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It has been a long journey to reach this step in our lives, but together, we have done it. And what’s even better for us is that we have already gotten a great head start in this next step through our experiences at Penncrest. The passion and energy that each individual has brought to this class has turned this group of students into something quite special.

Together, we’ve worked hard and played hard. Our dedication to leading an awesome Dawg pound for many different sports has been unrivaled. And from the night practices for Physics Olympics and the 12-hour play rehearsals to the daily practices for sports and academic teams, we have demonstrated our diligence in all that we cherish.

I mean, after all, why would we be running around in the mud at 8 a.m. in the middle of August if we didn’t love our sport? And for many of us, that has been the routine for the past four summers.

We’re not crazy. We’re determined.

We love what we do, and guys, we’ve done those things pretty darn well. We have led the school this year, and whether you know it or not, everyone in some way has positively influenced and inspired an individual in our school to try harder, do more, and take that extra step to reach his or her potential. We have learned how to lead, and are now ready to take those skills with us in our next step.

Doing what we were passionate about, created our best times at Penncrest. Now, it is time to carry those same practices with us in our future.

Passion has been our bridge to excellence. It's relentless force has pushed us to our limits of physical and mental capabilities, and has laid the foundation for our future endeavors.

In our ever-nearing future, we have no need to fear. Throughout these past 12 years, we have been armed with all the tools necessary for success. We know what we must do – now, we must do just that.

We will lead.

We will work.

We will push.

We will fall.

We will fight.

We will encourage.

We will learn.

And most of all, we will pursue our dreams and do what we love.

But while we excitedly peek ahead, we cannot forget to look at where we are today. At this moment all 334 of us are seated together for one last time. Let us take a good look around—we are not alone. We could not have reached here, without the constant support of our families, teachers, and especially, our fellow classmates.

And, as we end here, I think we can all agree that it has been an honor being part of such an amazing group of students. We are the Penncrest Class of 2012, and we are ready for the next step. Thank you.

 

Salutatorian Andrew Thomas Kaiden's Speech

Hello family, friends, and classmates.

After I was asked to give this speech, I tried to think about what a graduation speech is even supposed to say. I asked a few friends, I googled it, I even watched some YouTube videos of old speeches—all I managed to find was a few people who rapped their speeches and some guy who just talked about Pokemon.

I figured, I can’t rap, and I certainly don’t know enough about Pokemon to talk about it for five minutes, so I guess I’m on my own.

For many of us, graduation is really a time of mixed emotions—we don’t know what to feel. We’re sad because high school is ending and we’re leaving friends, yet we’re excited to move on to something new. And at the same time, we’re trying to hold onto all of the memories from the past 13 years.

But graduation is really a celebration. It is a celebration of who we are as a class, a celebration of what we have accomplished, and a celebration of what we have yet to accomplish. Remember that just because people have expected us to graduate high school our entire lives does not mean it was easy.

We’ve been working at this thing, whether or not we realized it at the time, for the past 13 years. Tonight, let us celebrate our accomplishment while we remember what has led us to where we now sit, together as a class, ready to receive our diplomas.

Remember that first day of kindergarten when you asked a complete stranger to be your new best friend. Remember how that person actually became your best friend.

Remember teaching your friends at lunch how to properly insert a straw into a Capri Sun pouch without spilling any.

Remember ringing in the new millennium…12 years ago.

Remember how many Magic Tree House books you read for the “100 Book Challenge.”

Remember the first teacher that treated you like an adult.

Remember giggling every time your middle school health teacher used the word “puberty.” Remember getting over it.

Remember wondering why your 8th grade formal date seemed so eager to dance with everyone, except with you.

Remember wondering at your first pep rally why everyone was yelling so loud. Remember coming back the next year and making the freshmen wonder the same thing.

Remember that test you never thought you could pass, that game you never thought you could win, or that part you never thought you could get. Remember the teacher, the coach, or the friend who pushed you to try it anyway.

Remember the first time you heard the lame joke about the pool in upstairs D-Wing. Remember re-telling it anyway.

Remember being in the back of the JV show dance where no one could see you.  Remember showing up to practice anyway.

Remember always looking up to the seniors. Remember the day you realized you were one.

Remember riding your bike to school next to a kid in a pink helmet and elbow pads with your parking pass on your front handlebars.

Remember someone who changed your life for the better. Remember someone whose life you changed.

Remember being a part of the Class of 2012.

But, as you remember all of those things, look toward the future. This is a special place; this high school, this community, takes pride in everything it does.

There is no doubt that we have been given a lot. We will leave Penncrest, but Penncrest will never leave us. Bring the same pride, the same enthusiasm, the same heart you brought to this class to whatever you do. You have the power to do amazing things; this school, this community, this class has instilled that power in you.

As a wise man, Dr. Seuss, once said, “You have the brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

Whether you’re doing it on the playing field, on the battlefield, in the classroom, or in the office, do yourselves proud, do each other proud, do your friends and family proud, and most of all, do Penncrest proud.

Wherever you “decide to go,” no matter what “direction you choose,” never forget that we are the Penncrest “L-I-O-N-S” Lions.

Thank you.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here