[0:06]Class of 2021. We have officially managed to Sparknote, Slater, and Quizlet our way through these past four years of high school. We made it. Before I began, I want to thank my parents because they're the reason I'm up here today. They've provided me with all of the resources and freedom to flourish and have supported me in every aspect of my life. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being the cool parents. The understanding parents, the best parents. And so moving on, Class of 2021, we made it. We began high school in the era of fidget spinners and Fortnite and we leave in the era of TikTok addictions and the sheer fear of large crowds. But our journey didn't just begin four years ago. It began in good old 2008, the dawn of kindergarten. Entering elementary school, we were so excited to grow up and get out of there that we didn't realize that those days, those memories, might just be some of the best of our lives. Those were the days when our biggest fear was losing the Florida lava game during recess. The days when we showed off our silly bands, traded Pokémon cards and battled with Bayblades. When we watched Ben 10 and ICarly late into the night. The days of playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo DS and the Wii. First grade, when we discovered the strangest concept, homework. Third grade, when we learned, learned how to play the recorder during music class. Fifth grade, when we were given our first taste of independence during camp and also the year we had to watch the video. And then, all of a sudden, we were now in middle school. This was the first time in our lives that we had to actually go out of our way to make friends. These were, as some might call it, the awkward years. The years when we learned how to change in front of 50 other kids in the school locker rooms. When we first felt those little butterflies in our stomach, that we later learned was called a crush. The years of wearing neon shorts and hoodies and believing that was fresh. And the years of bottle flipping in class and receiving a conduct slip or infraction for running in the hallways. And don't even get me started on Snapchat. The 11-11s on our stories, the slide up for TBH/rate, the posting on your story anytime you had a streak with someone of 100. Yeah, we were awkward. And with a snap of a finger, somehow we ended up in high school. Here came the first homecoming. Here came learning how to drive. Then learning how to drive well. Going crazy during Friday night lights. Beating JP in basketball, decking out for spirit weeks, joining a club, seeing that couple on your way from third to fourth period. Cranking out an all nighter to finish your English essays and so, so much more. That's what high school gave to us. And then came Friday, March 13th, 2020. The day our high school journey stumbled upon a rather sharp turn. Class of 2021, we are the pandemic graduating class. We're graduating in the midst of one of the most historic events of the last century. 20 years down the line, we'll be telling our kids about this. In 50 years, the kids of our kids, and they'll stare in awe as we explain how for almost a year and a half, we went to school online. FaceTime friends between classes, during classes. Woke up right before class, ate breakfast during first period, and then sat in awkward silence as our teacher asked a question to 28 muted boxes. Class of 21, we experienced a senior year like no other. In the blink of an eye, our lives changed, but we adapted, overcame, and became the most unstoppable graduating class in the history of Jackson High School.
[4:55]Seniors, our world was transformed by this invisible killer. But with it, so were we. We learned how to make the most of every moment. How to have fun within our own company. How to utilize hope as a means for growth. As we all embark on our individual journeys, remember that your success isn't defined by the opportunities that you're given. It's defined by what you make of the opportunities that you have. To find success, you need to seize the day, carpet DM if you will. You need to want it so bad that nothing can ever even dream of getting in the way. Each obstacle you encounter, each hurdle you overcome needs to make you just strong enough to climb over the next. But within all of this, you need to remember that your life is defined by the happy moments. No matter what you achieve, you absolutely cannot sacrifice happiness along the way. So find the joy in everything that you do. Carry a smile on your face as you take on every adventure the world has in store for you. Seniors, there's no more living in fear. No more waiting for that perfect moment to confess your feelings to the crush you've had since middle school. No more telling yourself that you're going to settle. No more telling yourself that you're not good enough because trust me, you are. No more restraining yourself from enjoying life with this idea that you'll suddenly begin to enjoy life two, five, 20 years down the line because that cycle of delaying your happiness remains unending. None of that, because beginning at this moment, the world is yours. Class of 2021, we are just getting started. Thank you.
