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My fellow seniors, staff, administrator, families, and friends of Golden Valley—good evening and welcome!
    The ancient Romans lived centuries ago and their greatest edifices are in ruins today, yet we remember Rome for its tradition of the republic. Albert Einstein died more than 50 years ago, but we remember him for his traditions of ingenuity and intellectual pursuit. The Blessed Mother Teresa left us just over 10 years ago, but we will continue to remember her for her traditions of humility and charity. People perish, pictures fade, and statues fall to the ground, but traditions do not die.
    When I first walked into Golden Valley, I knew that it was a very young school. As such, culture and tradition were not qualities that I expected to experience during my high school life, but I can gladly say that the last four years have proven me wrong. Through the teaching standards observed and exceeded by the teachers at this school, as well as through the strong presence of our teams in competitions like Science Bowl, We the People, and Forensics, this class has set valuable traditions in curricular and extracurricular academic excellence. Through our teams’ achievements in football, soccer, cross-country, and all the other sports in which we have participated as part of both the SSL and the SEYL, this class has set memorable traditions in sportsmanship and athletic competitiveness. With the unbounded talent in our school’s vocal ensembles, all of our bands, the fine arts program, and the Bulldog Theatre Company, this class has established traditions in artistic vibrancy. The countless activities in which our students participate—including spirit weeks, dress-up days, rallies, elections, dances, and talent shows—ensure that we remain active in our school community and benefit from all aspects of the high school experience. Through these, this class has built traditions of involvement, balance, and fraternity. The unceasing efforts of our various clubs, groups, and student government councils have allowed us to contribute to organizations such as The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The American Cancer Society, and Houchin Blood Bank, thereby creating meaningful traditions in philanthropy and service.
    These traditions, as with any tradition, are not visible. They are not tangible, but they are the most solid mementos that we will leave to this school and to the greater community as the Class of 2008. They are ours to take pride in, they are ours to cherish and respect, and most importantly, they are ours to uphold and carry with us, wherever the future may lead. The great American psychologist B.F. Skinner was quoted, “Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten,” and this is true. The education which we have received as part of this school goes beyond literary theories, the principle of supply and demand, and the law of conservation of energy. We have acquired the traditions and values necessary to become ready for future education and careers, self-directed learners, effective community contributors, and ethical decision makers.
    I would now like to take the time to thank all who have made the establishment of our traditions possible. I thank God. I thank my parents and family and the families of my fellow seniors. Thank you to all of my teachers and counselors, and all of the staff and administration at Golden Valley. And I thank my fellow seniors for a great four years. Good evening, good luck, and congratulations to the Golden Valley Class of 2008!