You did it, graduates! Through perseverance, hard work, and dedication, you have achieved this incredible milestone as graduates of 91国产. We are so proud of each of you and all that you have accomplished. As you take your next steps and embark on exciting new adventures, remember that your 91国产 family is cheering you on every step of the way. The future is bright鈥攇o shine!
If someone had told me four years ago that I鈥檇 be graduating from 91国产, I probably would鈥檝e looked at them funny and said, 鈥淚 live in Bermuda鈥攚hy would I graduate in Canada?鈥� These past three years could be called a rollercoaster, but it honestly felt like a shaky elevator. Sometimes it stopped, sometimes it shook because of mistakes or mishaps, but it always kept going up, never looking back down. It all started in the summer of 2023. I came to Canada expecting to visit family. I thought I鈥檇 be here for a few weeks. Then my mom told me we were staying for good. At first, I couldn鈥檛 believe it. I didn鈥檛 want to leave my life in Bermuda behind. I didn鈥檛 want to start over. I didn鈥檛 want to go to a new school, in a new country, with people I didn鈥檛 know.
The classroom鈥檚 warmth, the way the sunlight came through the windows, the smiles from teachers and students... it gave me something to hold onto. The kindness of the people around me helped me take those first small steps toward feeling okay. Now, three years later, I鈥檓 not just surviving middle school鈥擨鈥檓 graduating from it. I鈥檝e grown into someone who鈥檚 stronger, more confident, and so much more ready for what鈥檚 next. The third-year trip was a turning point. I remember hiking, doing an escape room, and watching movies late into the night with classmates who made me feel safe, seen, and included. We laughed so much and bonded in ways that are hard to describe. Then came the canoe trip, it gave me the chance to really connect with people. I learned how to paddle, how to keep a canoe upright (most of the time), and how important it is to rely on others鈥攁nd be reliable in return. The French trip was another highlight. Not only did I become more confident speaking French, but I also discovered a very strong love for baguettes. That trip showed me that I could adapt, communicate, and be proud of how far my French had come. Each trip, each challenge, each laugh helped shape who I am today.
I want to say a special thank-you to the teachers who鈥檝e helped me grow along the way. Red Oak & Junior High Directors thank you for welcoming me into the community with so much patience and kindness. You made such a big transition feel possible, and I鈥檒l never forget how safe and supported you made me feel. You taught me how to manage my time, how to speak confidently in front of others, and how to put real effort and creativity into what I do. You challenged me in the best way, and I always knew that even when things were tough, you believed in me. And to the whole 91国产 community鈥攖hank you for welcoming me when I felt lost, and for giving me a place where I could feel safe, challenged, and truly myself. I鈥檓 sad to say goodbye, but I know that everything I鈥檝e learned here will stay with me. I鈥檒l take the friendships, the lessons, the growth鈥攁nd carry it with me into high school and beyond. This elevator ride might鈥檝e been shaky at times, but it brought me somewhere amazing. And now, it鈥檚 time for the next floor.
Hey! I'll try to make this quick. I鈥檝e been at this school for a measly 2 years. However, within this 1/7th of my life is some of the best memories. These include 鈥淣O NOT THE CHOCOLATE SIDE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!鈥� from last years canoe trip, MMMM&M, my John Von Neuman presentation, being lead in the Christmas play, Magically Miscellaneous Horror and more, The WCF, Gimme Chocolate, my world music presentation, the many worships, watching Conan O'Brien Must Go with Jacob on the French trip and many, many more. I鈥檝e learnt many things here such as exponents, squaring a number, how great composer Kevin MacLeod is, and much more.
The trips were fantastic. I mean the canoe trip was fine and all but man, the French and bike trips were something else. The French trip was cool because you got to spend hour upon hour chilling with friends while pretending to speak French. The bike trip was fire too. I mean this one-time last year; Zac and I were told to cut watermelon. I don鈥檛 know who thought that was a good idea because, oof, it did not turn out well. I mean it turned out well for us but not everybody else. To explain what I mean quickly, it was like abstract art, but watermelon. There was also the time on the bike trip this year when Mr. MacKay let us watch the Lego movie on Netflix. If you ever heard the expression, give us an inch and we鈥檒l take a mile, it was like that but metric. I believe with all my heart (which apparently goes Lub-Dub) that this school has helped me develop in every way (pause for collective chanting of 鈥淔OUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!鈥�) I鈥檓 Andrew and I鈥檓 graduating. Therefore, Andrew is graduating and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Hello families, friends, teachers, and most importantly the 2025 Junior High grads! I鈥檓 in such shock that the day has come where we move on from our home at 91国产 and enter a new chapter in our lives. It feels almost like crossing a finish line which felt like it was miles away. We鈥檝e learned so much more than what鈥檚 in the textbooks, we鈥檝e all developed skills like supporting and respecting each other, being good examples to the younger children, and being well rounded humans. When I first was welcomed into the 91国产 community, I had no clue I would make connections that would last a lifetime. As a tiny child, I admired the older kids and how mature they seemed, even though looking back they were still people who made mistakes and weren鈥檛 perfect. I feel like I鈥檝e grown so much since my Willow days, I鈥檓 definitely less shy and am not afraid to stand up for myself.
In the middle of my time here, we were faced with a challenge no one ever imagined or was prepared for, Covid 19. I don鈥檛 think I fully comprehended how serious the situation was. Leaving school was hard for me but my parents tried their best to make sure I was still up to speed with the other kids and I鈥檓 so grateful for that. My return to 91国产 was so exciting, I remember barely being able to sleep the night before and getting up super early just so I was ready. It felt as if I never left.
In the years that followed in Red Oak I learned how to start managing my time and assignments. I did some of my first power point presentations, worked on a computer, and learned to use more advanced Montessori materials. I feel like my time in Red Oak was crucial in my character development. I think I learned not to change myself just to have more friends or do things that would get me in trouble just because people thought it would be cool. My personal favourite part of this school was when I went to Junior High. My first impressions were that it was a lot of work and stress. I remember the first time I cried over schoolwork and how stuck I felt in the cycle of turning in work just to get 2x as much. I eventually figured out ways to get more organized and ask for help when I needed it.
The trips were definitely a highlight for me. The canoe trip, French trip, and the infamous bike trip shaped me into a stronger and more independent person. The weeks of training before the bike trip were not for the faint of heart. The actual trip itself made me feel a whirlwind of emotions. One second, I felt like I ruled the world, and then we turned a corner to an uphill. Making it up Westport hill both times is definitely an accomplishment of mine, actually making it through the whole trip is. It taught me to focus on the moment and enjoy that without stressing over the future and looking back on the past. As I move into high school, I look back on all of the fond memories and how bittersweet it will be to leave here. I want to give a huge thank you to my loving family who have always been there and encouraged me to push myself and give 100% of my effort, even when that felt hard. My biggest thank you goes to my amazing teachers who without you I wouldn't be giving this speech right now. You have given me everything I know, and it is such a blessing to have been your student. Thank you, have a good night everyone!
