graduation speech

   I don't know about my classmates, but my time at district 67 went by quickly. From holding my dad's hand while walking to Hynes on the first day of kindergarten to walking out of Golf for the last time, I've made so many memories with my friends and I've learned so much alongside them.
   After five years at Hynes learning about frogs, acing math class, and earning G-Bucks, it was time to step into middle school. In fifth grade, we were all back at the bottom, the youngest of the school. It felt like I was just learning how to walk. With the help of our teachers and older students, we became more comfortable. Going on to sixth grade, the school felt a little more familiar and we had a new schedule. We were on our own, no more walking down the halls in a single file line while keeping your hands behind your back. Sixth grade gave us freedom and more learning experiences. In seventh grade is when I realized I needed to grow. The first day back I noticed how much my classmates changed and how much I stayed the same. Although I didn't grow physically, I grew in knowledge. Seventh grade was full of firsts, Spanish class, the Constitution test, and Camp Maclean. It was a year of risks, studying, and trusting in yourself. Finally, eighth grade. Ever since August, I've been waiting to graduate and get into highschool. But now with these last couple of days, I realize how much I want to stay. Eighth grade has gone by in the blink of an eye and I don't want to say goodbye to the district that I've been to for nine years.
   I want to say a quick, but genuine thank you to all the teachers and students at district 67 that have helped me become who I am today.
   As we move into highschool, we'll all get a chance to shape ourselves into who we want to be. Highschool is full of chances, risks, and new experiences. I hope we'll all be brave enough to pursue our goals.  Based on what I saw at Camp Maclean I believe we will all make it through highschool as strong, intelligent, and hilarious people.
   I wish you all the best of luck.

dear fifth grade kaitlin,

  I want to start off by saying, yes, you still are very shy. I wish you weren't the super quiet girl sitting in the back. But yes, I'm still working on it.
  Yes, I still am super good friends with Maddie, but Natalie and Grace, not so much. (Although, I wish I was.) You don't have a large group of friends, but I/we learned that quality is better than quantity last year.
   You were extremely annoying and I'm sort of embarrassed to show other people old pictures. Even if you thought highlighter pink leggings were cool, they weren't, they definitely weren't. I'm proud to say, I think the way I dress is a tiny upgrade.
   How come you didn't try out for any sports? Oh right, you were "too shy/ too lazy". I totally wish you would've. It would've been so much fun.
   People come and go and you shouldn't stick around for those that don't even want to be in your life, I wish you learned that sooner.
   I'm super proud of you for trying your best through these few years at Golf, and your choices made me who I am today. I'm pretty happy with who I am today so thanks ya for that.

          ♥,
                current kaitlin