57th Commencement Address
June 10, 2016
by Skyla Davis ’16
When thinking about writing a graduation speech I thought it would be
easy to express all that this class has done for me but when the time
came to put it all into words it was one of the most difficult things I have
ever done. I tried to figure out why it was so difficult and why I couldn't
find the words to express how grateful and appreciative I was for the past
10 years and it dawned on me that there was no way to express it. The
stories, the memories, the laughs, and the tears could not be summed up
in a few moments. I can only begin to tell you how the last 10 years and
this class has made me the person I am today.
This past February was our last Glen Brook trip ever. On our second to last night, Mrs. Somers
had us all do an exercise that entailed writing short descriptions or notes to each one of our
classmates. As I wrote about each one of you I thought about what lessons you all have taught
me by just being yourselves. What I believe to be the most important characteristic of our class
is our personalities. Writing about each of you individually made it so clear how special you all
are, and what incredible people you’ve grown up to be. Everyone of us has a strong personality
yet somehow we are all different. Everyone brings something unique to the whole and without
each of you, our class would not be complete.
Daimon: You’ve proven that confidence and focus is key. You stay true to who you are and to
what you believe. All of your opinions are supported by valid, thoughtful points and reasons
because they reflect your strong passions and beliefs.
Lee: You’ve taught us that no matter what other people think, you must always be yourself,
because in the end, that’s what sets you apart: the fact that no one can change who you are if
you don't let them.
Kira: You inspire a sense of comfort in us all. You have a quiet strength that comes through
whenever someone needs it. You will always be there for anyone, and it is just by your
presence that you can make someone instantly content.
Dylan: Your intelligence, opinions, and passion are impressive, and, at times, overwhelming.
You’ve shown us what a leader truly looks is: supportive and helpful by being honest and
truthful.
Gerard: Your smile truly is contagious and you provide our class with a constant flow of
happiness. You’ve taught us how not to let the negative thoughts outweigh the positive ones.
You keep us afloat and you are also the anchor that keeps us from drifting away.
Shuyi: You’ve shown us what dedication truly is. You do not let tough times get in the way of
what you love. You have the strength and mindset to keep going and never give up.
Sage: You’ve shown us that you can be both calm and authoritative simultaneously. When
personalities and opinions clash, you are the peace maker who leads the way out of chaos: you
have the ability to pacify any conflict with ease.
Aaron: You embody the meaning of chill. When there’s a fight going on in the class and
everyone has taken sides, Aaron appears in the middle and quietly whispers “Chill”, and among
the frustrating cries of the class, a feeling of assurance and relaxation spreads just because
Aaron has spoken.
Rebecca: If anyone was born to be on stage it is you. You express your opinions with grace an
strength in a way that resembles reciting a Shakespearean sonnet. You respect other’s opinions
because of your empathetic soul. You would never hurt a fly and you would do anything for the
ones you love.
Maria: Your enthusiasm and passion have pushed us all through tough times to show us that we
can endure more than we thought. You bring out the fighter in each of us so that we can all
reach higher than we believed possible.
Julia: Your ability to stay focused in any given situation amazes us all. You never fail to lend a
helping hand to anyone in need. It is your compassion and care that keeps us all sane. Without
your charisma we would all get lost in the stress of everyday life.
Oliver: You’ve shown us how expressing yourself does not only have to be done through words.
You beautifully express yourself to those around you through your artwork. You have the
patience to take your time and make sure that what you create is perfect and expresses exactly
what you desire.
Owen: You have one of the strongest personalities. By remaining carefree in all instances, you
make serious situations a little less frightening and you keep us all from overreacting. It is your
sense of nonchalance that communicates an air of freedom. This freedom is what defines the
overall character of not only yourself but of us all.
George: You are grounded, balanced, sensible, and reliable. You are reassuring, comforting,
and you have a way of making us feel we could talk to you about anything. You have taught us
the importance of trust and loyalty through the way you support those in need.
Anja: What would we be without carefree, loving, and joyous Anja? Without even trying, you can
bring someone to tears of laughter. It doesn't matter if you’ve had the worst or best day, you
always put others first. You naturally know if someone needs advice, an ear to listen to, or just a
reassuring hug. You know the right thing to do in any situation and it is you that we go to for any
kind of encouragement, comfort, or love.
DK: The first day we all met you, we were blown away by your intelligence. You used such
fancy vocabulary words in every sentence that half the time no one even knew what you were
talking about! Your wit brought little sporadic breaks of laughter to everyone’s day.
Max: You are the heart of our class. You have so much love to share and you are willing to do
anything for those you love and care about. You’ve taught us to keep pushing forward and you
amaze us all with your never-ending fortitude.
Will: You are one of the most compassionate people I know and you are modest and humble as
well. You are so modest that you do not realize that it is your level-headed and calm nature that
holds our class together and that without you we would all fall apart.
Emanuel: You are the wild card of the class. You have the unique talent of saying both the right
thing at the wrong time and the wrong thing at the right time however you always manage to find
the bright side in every moment and we always end up laughing.
David: Ever since you came into our lives, not a day has gone by without you cracking a joke
just to get a smile out of people. You bring a lighthearted air to the class that makes stressful
days survivable and boring days bearable. Not only have you made an enormous impact on our
lives but it seems like you have been in our class forever instead of just two years.
Harry: You always bring words of deep wisdom and a view that is always different than
everyone else’s. You’ve taught us that all views are important and that thinking outside of the
box is what sets you apart.
As I come to a close I can’t help but think, what I will do without you all. But thinking of each of
you reminds me of the greatest lesson you have taught me; being yourself is the only way to
achieve success and happiness. When we were in middle school we used to drink Honest Kid’s
juices and on the back of each juice box was the quote “Be yourself, everyone else is already
taken.” There is nobody else like you. I would not have wanted to spend the past years with
anyone else. The support and acceptance you have all given me is what will give me the
strength to start this next chapter of my life. By being your extraordinary unique selves you have
helped me do the same and I am so incredibly proud of the impressive group of individuals who
sit on this stage beside me today. I hope that you all continue to carry yourselves with
confidence and certainty and believe in yourselves, because I am positive that each of you can
accomplish whatever you put your mind to. Never ever stop being yourselves. Thank you for
everything.