Dr. Staley's Graduation Address

 

In all seriousness, all of us feel privileged to have borne witness to your tremendous individual and collective growth over these past years. It is true that your class will be remembered in part for shenanigans in the hallway, and a curious amalgamation of extraverted and introverted personalities. However, you will also be fondly recollected as a unique and inimitable group. Among you there are incredible artists, athletes, writers, dancers, singers, and even chefs-in-training.

 

Another thing we will all remember about Berkeley Hall’s class of 2013 is your tolerance. The definition of tolerance is “having a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, beliefs, etc., differ from one's own;” ...But, your class takes tolerance beyond this definition, for as a group, you have not merely tolerated the differences among you, you have embraced them. This deep tolerance is expressed in a variety of ways, including your alertness to one another’s needs and the way you consistently reach out to one of your number when she or he is distressed. It is not uncommon with this class to see a troubled student being comforted by a classmate with kind, encouraging words, a gentle hand on the shoulder, or yes, even a hug.

 

Once you are gone from here, we will have many precious memories about each of you as individuals as well. We have already heard from three of you today in your own words, but I would like to recognize all of you.

So, here are just a few of the things we’ll remember about each of you who did not speak today. (Please stand when I say your name.)

 

Stephan: At the start of the school year, you were very patient with a new student, noticing when he needed help and consistently reminding him which books were required or what page he was supposed to be on. You didn’t stand around judging him; you helped him out.

 

Amber:   You took your innate ability to listen to others’ opinions and points of view and used that ability to more actively contribute to class discussions in a meaningful way. Your active presence and your deep thinking were truly felt, as was your consistent kindness.

 

Blake: You stepped up to take responsibility as class President and learned to appreciate the performances and contributions of others. You became a pro at recapping chapel presentations in a way that helped complete the chapel experience for everyone.

 

Hannah: You stepped up as team leader during a group presentation when the assigned leader was unable to perform in that capacity. And even though it wasn’t something you were initially comfortable doing, you rose to the occasion and exemplified good leadership.

 

Joey: You reached out to a boy new to the class this year, who now counts you as his closest friend. You, who had been at Berkeley Hall since Nursery, were unusually alert as to how it must feel to be new and saw beyond differences to the heart of your similarities with another.

 

Ronald:   We will remember you as a strong and fast athlete, but we will also remember that you were the first to call everyone around to see a baby bunny or a beautiful butterfly. How many times have we heard you yell "Run, run, you can't miss this!" Well, we’re glad we didn’t miss knowing you.

 

Charlie: There were a number of us who noticed your gentle, inclusive leadership during Bobcat Day. I overheard you as you were taking your group of younger children to race for Bobcat bucks. You opted to pick the youngest and the slowest children to race and then cheered for them yourself, even though you’re one of the fastest runners on our campus. I won’t forget that.

 

Alexis: We’ll remember you as an animal loving, theater-performing student who grew a great deal during 8th grade. You took responsibility for yourself and your choices this year, and you did an amazing job of stepping in last minute to play another’s role in the Junior High play.

 

Hallie: We’ll remember you, surfer girl! You decided early this year to refuse to put limits on yourself. You made a conscious decision to take your academics and your learning more seriously, with proven results.

 

Kai: We’ll remember your fun sense of humor and also how you thoughtfully interact with your peers, your teachers, and your administrators. Mrs. Waterson recalls you using both your fine acting skills and your thoughtful nature to help give constructive feedback and direction to your peers during the performance element of graduation speech unit in English.

 

Ashley: You wrote many of your teachers notes of appreciation last year, precipitated by no other reason than your genuine thoughtfulness and your awareness of what it takes in another to be a good teacher.

 

Anita: You were aware of your teachers’ schedules and workloads and asked to take a test early, knowing you would be absent the next day. You thought ahead and took responsibility.

 

Ben: We’ll remember your spirited conversations and your wonderful singing voice. We’ll also remember that you responsibly asked for some of your grading sheets in advance so you could be sure to have your assignments done 100% correctly.

 

Alice: You will be remembered for your wonderful artistic ability, but also for how much more vested you have become in your own learning. You have matured in the past two years, and have learned to take responsibility for your future.

 

Ian: You are an individual who can read people better than most, so you know when someone needs support. You are a great listener, so your peers will pour out their troubles to you and know that you will never make fun of them nor share their troubles with anyone else. After one of these times, a teacher overheard you remind your friend that you’d always be there for him, to which your friend said - "That means a lot."

 

Vivienne: Everyone likes to be around you because you radiate love. Apart from your beautiful smile, we will remember that you have a lot of self-respect, and thus respect for others as well. You have a mature awareness that you are accountable for your own actions.

 

Bella: Mrs. Waterson will remember that you diligently completed every homework assignment in English, and we will all remember your sweet and loving nature.

 

Joel: Your deep insights have inspired us. As intelligent as you are, you are known both for your gentle heart and for humbly accepting correction from your teachers and friends.

 

Joseph: Even though you were new this year, you took on leadership roles in several ways. You were the only 8th grader --as well as the lead --in the musical, giving a fabulous performance, and you jumped in socially with both feet, running for student council vice president. Very memorable, indeed.

 

Kelly: Another Kelly, Mrs. Kelly Neale, will remember you as a student who never failed to deliver on her assignments. We will also remember that you took responsibility at the last minute for selecting colors for our award winning California flag.

 

Cooper: You are always ready with a hug for anyone who needs it (side hug or otherwise), and are known for your expansive and inclusive nature. I will also remember what a magnetic presenter you are.

 

Max: In a basketball game where you were missing some of your more experienced 8th grade teammates due to injury, you had to trust younger players. Although a number of shots were missed by your teammates, you continued to trust them. As the clock ran down, you, who were the strongest player on the team, could have taken the last shot, but instead you unselfishly passed the ball to a teammate who made the winning shot at the buzzer.

 

Grace: We have often said that you are aptly and accurately named. You have embraced and included everyone around you with your kind actions and warm smile. (I should mention that you will also be remembered for color-coding your planner!)

 

Kayla: From the moment you entered seventh grade, you have been known for being a responsible and organized student but also for always being respectful to all of your teachers and for always being a good friend to everyone.We will remember your kind and peaceful presence among us.

 

Allen: You were patient with others’ understanding of mathematics and were the first to volunteer to help others understand a new math concept. You were also a dedicated member of the volleyball, basketball, and football teams, making a concerted effort to always show up to practice on time.

 

Elijah: We will remember you as our balanced academic! You proved day-in and day-out your unfaltering commitment to your academics, and then completely rocked the dance floor at the Dads’ Club Variety Show. I’ll also remember your intense performance in your one-act.

 

Asher: You will be remembered for your charming personality and big smile, and also for buckling down and creating a fine art piece that went all the way to Regionals. You will also be remembered for stepping up to support another student during rehearsal for this graduation ceremony.

 

So, “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.”  That means that no ONE is really lost to us, as long as we remember him or her.

 

In spite of the fact that you are all leaving us to go on to your next experiences in high school, and whether or not you choose to return to visit (and we hope that you do) you will actually never be lost to us, because we will remember each of you – and we will remember you with great love.

Congratulations, Class of 2013.