As the sun set over Boerne ISD Stadium Thursday night, it marked the end of the high school careers of 491 Champion High School graduates. But, if the speeches read to the graduating class that night ring true, 982 bright eyes are set on the future.
The stadium bleachers were filled with at least 3,000 family members and friends who cheered on the largest graduating class in Boerne ISD’s history in a congratulatory farewell as many of the burgeoning adults gear up to part ways with the safety net of home.
While much of the graduating class may have set plans for their future or colleges, universities of the military they’re set for in the coming years, Champion’s valedictorian, Marisa Matos, offered wise words to her peers that plans can change and paths can be altered, but it’s the work they put into their futures that matter.
“Some of us have a precise plan as to what we want to do and study and be,” Matos said. “Some of us – like myself – don’t even have a major. Many of us have definitive tracks in mind, and many of those tracks are going to go definitively off the rail at one point or another. It is OK.
“No one asked, but my personal philosophy is that you don’t need to know what you are doing. You don’t even need to do it well. But, if you are doing something, then you better be giving it everything you have. …
“Even if you find yourself not knowing what destination to aim for or step to take, hold fast to the belief that you’ll stumble yourself into the right place eventually if you continue to put everything you have into everything you do.”
Matos had the highest grade-point average amongst her Champion High peers, raking in a 112.7 GPA, which landed her a spot at a prestigious university: Northwestern in Chicago.
The indecisiveness and sprawling – and sometimes overwhelming – landscape of opportunity was apparent not only in Matos’ address to the students but acknowledged by Champion High’s salutatorian, Sofia Parra, as well, who said she was named “Ms. Indecisive in student leadership.”
While Parra said her indecisive nature has carried through her high school career into her future plans, having not decided to attend Texas A&M University until earlier this month, she said writing her address to the peers she’d come to know over the past came easily. However, she said writing the speech came with a wash of emotions, including joy, regret, excitement, disappointment and hope.
Parra recalled the accomplishments of her graduating class and the years that were filled with honors and dedication.
“Now, when I say it is an honor to be standing up here tonight, I mean it,” Parra said. “Our class is made up of some of the most incredible and talented students who have already accomplished so much. I think we all learned very early on that our class is special.
“We truly are an impressive bunch. Logging thousands of hours in volunteering, winning state championships and competitions, breaking school records and earning endless awards and accolades in academics and fine arts – our resumes look great! We have excelled beyond all expectations and have challenged each other to do better and achieve more.”
While Parra recalled the numerous achievements of her peers and reminisced on all the good times shared in their hallowed halls of Champion High, she notably addressed the way her graduating class handled the bad days – a true testament to her peers’ character.
“Our time together as the Champion High School Class of 2022 will not be remembered by grades or rank or reward but, rather, how we impacted each other and our community,” Parra said. “Our actions when no one was watching will forever speak louder than the titles we gained. Our success in high school and beyond will mean nothing if we don’t act with integrity.
“Now, let me tell you what I think is the best part. I believe the bad days are what makes our class and Champion special. It was during the bad days that we found support in friends or teachers or a mentor. It was the bad days filled with so many uncertainties that our class learned to expect the unexpected. Our class learned to persevere even when the world was shut down and came out stronger than it was before. I believe it was the bad days that allowed us to learn and grow in a nurturing environment at Champion High School and within our Boerne community. And it was the bad days that made the good days all the more good.”
Also addressing the graduates and the audience were 2022 Chargers’ graduates Anthony Torres, Amber Frantz and Madeline Tesch.
Once the speeches were spoken, the flags were flown, pledges recited and memories were shared, a continuous roar of the crowd ensued for the next hour as the 491 members of Champion High School’s graduating class of 2022 were called to walk the stage, marking the end of one life stage and the beginning of another.
Comment
Comments