SALUTATORIAN

KAYUKI ERIKA WARREN:

'Good evening, buenas noches, respected friends, family, teachers, faculty, and of course, Boerne High School's class of 2023. As we gather here today to celebrate our achievements and bid farewell to these past four years, it is a privilege to be able to speak to you tonight, but most importantly, to have been able to grow up with each and every one of you.

Now, I don't know about you, but ever since we were allowed to not walk in a single-file line, I have been hurriedly pacing through the hallways, rushing to get to my next class. The five-minute passing period was seemingly only one, as I weaved through the slow walkers. That is one of the many things I regret about high school: looking too much towards the future and failing to take a moment to step back and enjoy the present.

Regrets, they say, are the remnants of missed opportunities. They are the moments when we wish we could turn back time and rewrite our stories. High school, undoubtedly, has been a time of growth, discovery, and countless experiences, and it is in the crucible of these moments that regrets may have found their way into our lives.

Regret is a complex emotion, reminding us of what we could have done differently. Maybe we shouldn't have stressed and crammed for tests. Maybe we should've practiced more for sports, or for concerts and performances. Maybe we should 've had more water at prom junior year or maybe we spent too much time painting our parking spots ... I know I did. Perhaps we regret not taking more risks, not joining that club we were passionate about, or not speaking up when we had something important to say. It is natural to feel a sense of longing for the chances we let slip through our fingers.

However, my fellow graduates, it is crucial for us to remember that regrets are not meant to define us. Rather, they serve as powerful lessons that shape our future selves. These feelings are reminders that we are human, that we make mistakes, and that we have room to grow.

Besides, in high school, regrets stand alongside moments of triumph and laughter. They are woven into our experiences, reminding us of the complexity and abundance of our journey. They should not overshadow the countless accomplishments we have achieved, the friendships we have formed, and the memories we have cherished at Boerne High School.

So, whatever regrets you may have or whatever decisions you wish you made, do not fret too hard. We have learned from these past four years, making high school into something we will remember forever, and now we have even more possibilities.

Congratulations, felicidades, class of 2023, let us celebrate the knowledge that regrets do not define us, but lead us to shape a future filled with purpose, compassion, and determination. As we each have our own journeys, sometimes it is okay to be a slow walker in the hallways; treasure the opportunities given to you and take them one step at a time. Thank you.'