During graduation, three students from the senior class speak in front of their fellow graduates, families, and peers. These three are the valedictorian, class president, and one student who is voted on by their class.
This year’s three speakers will be Aydin Kabir (valedictorian), Lindsey Solomon (class president), and Avery Gamble (class elected speaker).
As class president, Lindsey Solomon has been the leader of the class of 2026 for her high school career. Her speech will be very meaningful as it is her final goodbye to the group she has led since her sophomore year.
“My speech is definitely very reflective and honest. It also has a lot of stories that I hold really close to my heart. I really hope it is inspiring!!”
Talking in front of a lot of people is obviously very nerve wracking. While Solomon feels this, she also is excited by the opportunity.
‘I am really excited to give my speech because it truly is the greatest honor. I am a little nervous because it is very vulnerable and I want to do a really good job on behalf of the senior class!”
The feeling of honor is one shared by many of the speakers, especially Avery Gamble, who was voted on to speak by her graduating class.
“I am really honored to be chosen by the class. It means a lot to me and I promise I will do my best for them!” said Gamble, “ I am a little nervous to speak in front of everyone, but nerves are normal! I am just mainly excited to receive this amazing opportunity.”
Leaving high school is a bittersweet experience with a lot to look back on. This feeling, and her fond high school memories, will be the focus of Gamble’s speech.
“The overall vibe is basically reminiscing on our years together and showing how it is important to realize that the small things matter!”
All of the amazing class speakers are extremely impressive individuals, but achieving the title of Valedictorian is arguably the most notable achievement one can have in their high school. Aydin Kabir has earned this position this year, and will also be speaking alongside Gamble and Solomon at their graduation ceremony.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous, but excited to speak” said Kabir, “hopefully for the right length of interesting, but not boring”.
In times like these, there is a lot of pressure on students to think about their future. Kabir wants to leave his class with the message that not everything has to be set in stone right now, and that it all will be okay.
“My vibe is going to be about how you are not supposed to have your future fully planned out,” said Kabir, “Our class quote is ‘the best way to predict the future is to create it’, and we must take risks, even in this uncertainty, to thrive”.
