I had the honor and the privilege to be the Governing Board representative for the Mesquite High School Graduation last Thursday evening. I have wanted to put down in words what an incredible ceremony it was, but I have had a very hard time finding the words to describe what took place that night. I decided that putting it on my blog might be a bit easier...........
I have done Mesquite's graduation every year. In previous years, we could do more than one because they different schools were on different dates and some were at ASU. After the pandemic, all graduations are at the football stadiums on the same night so one Board Member attends one of the five comprehensive high school graduations. Up until this year, students who I gave a kindergarten diploma to at Gilbert El were still in school. My last class was last year, but there are still a lot of families that I have known for many years. And that is why I asked to do Mesquite not knowing the powerful impact that it would have on me.
The graduation was like all graduations with excitement in the air. Both the salutatorians gave great speeches (I have not heard one that wasn't good in all of the years I have attended graduations). They are filled with anticipation, pride and nostalgia.
I was not prepared for the valedictory speech! And I will try to get what she said as best I can. This unbelievable young woman was so composed and spoke from her heart. She told about how hard she worked to become the valedictorian and the sacrifices she made and the important activities that she gave up because she was so driven to make sure that she accomplished this. She spoke about this a bit and then got into the heart of her reason for doing this. She told of how her mom was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer when she was very young and how she and her brother were shuffled around to different family members and friends while her mom received treatment. Her brother was about four years older than she is. She told about how they talked at a very young age when their mom was undergoing this treatment about how they wanted to both be valedictorians, go to Harvard or Yale and become medical researchers and find a cure for cancer. It was truly a goal for both of them.
Their mom responded to her treatment and their lives returned to normal. However, their quest to excel in school did not change. Then her brother was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. He died on her 13th birthday. She dedicated her valedictory address to him because he would not be able to achieve that goal. She dedicated all of her future goals to him too and spoke about how all they were going to do that he would never be able to do. Having been to so many graduations, it is hard for there not to be a lot of crowd noise. However, it was something I have never seen before. The entire stadium was as quiet as if no one was there. Just when I thought my tears couldn't get any more, she told about her mom and how her cancer came back at the beginning of this school year and that she only lived a few months. During all of the time her mom was sick, she continued with her studies so that she could keep her promise to her brother. She told us about how all that she and her brother planned were coming to fruition for her. She was accepted to both Harvard and Yale and has chosen Yale where she will pursue a degree in medical (cancer) research. When she got to the part about thanking people, she started with her dad. That was the only time she broke down a little throughout this speech. And the ENTIRE audience started to clap and gave her dad such a round of applause.
I know I would have been touched no matter what by this talk. However, my own circumstances and battle with cancer really brought it all home to me. Right after she finished, we were to give out the diplomas. I had THREE sentences to read and I had to fight to remain composed which I did.
The very first person to get a diplomas was this young lady and she was on my side. I asked her if I could give her a hug. I got the biggest hug from her and she thanked me profusely. It was amazing at so many levels.
The rest of the ceremony was great. I will always be grateful that I have had the opportunity to give to diplomas to so many students through the years, but tonight meant more to me than any other time! I have no doubt that this young lady will achieve great things in life and maybe will even find a cure for cancer. She has overcome so much adversity and has such a wonderful attitude that we can only admire. Our future is certainly in great hands with young people like this!
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