MackenzieTonng
Valedictorian
Beachburg Public School
Seems like just yesterday we were walking the hallways, terrified by the big kids, the Grade 8s. Kindergarten was a scary first year for all of us. Trying to make friends, avoid getting in trouble, it was hard to deal with so young. This year we were the big kids, but if you just focused on our personalities, it was like we were a mature kindergarten class.
This coming year in high school, we’ll be the kindergarteners again, the youngest kids in the school, but don’t have to worry, because we have this class to lean back on.
.We share many memories from class trips, tournaments, even just things in class, and I’m not going to forget them even if they do get pushed into the very back of my thoughts, they will still be there.
We’ve lost and gained people over the years, but the eight of us that are left are perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. You’d think putting up with the same people for the first half of your life would be hard to do, but honestly, it’s the easiest thing for me. They’re like family and family sticks together.
Although we’ll be separated, the memories and experiences will be with us wherever we go.
Valedictorian Speech
By Justin Dickson
Beachburg Public School, 2014
Some journeys do not have an ending but instead lead us to a new beginning…
As we celebrate here together, we look around and remember our time here at BPS – walking the halls, learning and laughing together.
We have grown a lot over the last 10 years – we have lost friends who began this journey here with us, and gained new ones along the way.
Our group of eight has grown a lot – not only in mind and body, but in spirit. We are all finding our way – and we may not all walk the same road to our future, but we will all take with us the memories we have made here together, carrying the knowledge and the life lessons we have learned.
Although the hallways of our school are small, we take with us an enormous connection – the friendships we have made – not only with our fellow students, but with the teachers and staff members who feel like family. They have all guided us well to be the young adults we have grown to be.
They have shaped us to a bright and exciting future. You have all watched our young kindergarten faces on the first day of school become the faces you see before you here today.
Our time here seems now to have blown by. We are all forever grateful for your guidance, your love and support in our journey.
So to you and to my fellow graduates – my time here has been an honour and a blessing. Thank you for sharing my journey with me.
I leave you with these lessons –
Who you become is by the choices you make, and the effort you put in – so choose wisely and work hard for your future – in practice there is no glory, but without practice there is no glory.
Have the courage and the determination to lead.
Take charge and take the chances that come your way.
Know enough to walk away when you don’t agree.
Show others admiration, compassion and respect, not only for our similarities, but in our differences.
Don’t walk to the finish line … RUN! – because you have to run by him to beat him.
Say please and thank you and always hold the door! – Because respect is earned.
May “Why not” be an answer that brings you joy, happiness and new horizons.
If there is light in the soul,
There is beauty in the person,
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house,
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation,
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
ZEN
Let’s be the light!
Art – Mikayla WarrenAthletics (Male) – Justin Dickson
Athletics (Female) – Jamie Vereyken
Language – Mackenzie Tong
Math – Mackenzie Tong
Science – Thomas Ranger
Geography – Aidan Sawyer
History – Justin Dickson
Music – Mackenzie Tong
French – Mackenzie Tong
Perseverance – Jamie Vereyken
Valedictorians – Mackenzie Tong & Justin Dickson
W.A. Burnett Bursary – Mackenzie Tong
Community Involvement Award – Mackenzie Tong
Ontario Principal’s Leadership Award – Justin Dickson
Renfrew County Medallion – Mackenzie Tong
