Amity HIgh Graduation Speech: Kristina Karabinos

Good afternoon, members of the Board of Education, Dr. Brady, Dr. Britton, administration, teachers, parents, friends, and the Class of 2011. It is truly an honor to speak before you all today.

Now, I have to ask you all a very serious question... do you believe in magic? Because I most certainly do. The world is full of wonder, full of unexplained mysteries and incredible phenomena. This is the world we now have the chance to experience. But let’s not forget where we have come from. All around us there is magic - the world is a blessing, and so is the community we live in. I don’t know about you, but I feel so lucky to have been able to live in this wonderful Amity community.

I think that most of us have grown up reading about the young wizard with the lightening bolt scar who goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, namely, Harry Potter. Now that I think about it, I’d go as far as to say that Amity is just as fantastic as Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. I mean, who can deny the diverse selection of courses we have and the incredible amount of extracurricular activities? You’d truly need Hermione’s time turner to experience all of it! And the teachers - how could they not be wizards? (in their subject areas, that is!) Let me break down my schedule for you all: History of Magic with Ms. Kimball and Ms. Hastings, Charms with Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Bonaldo, Herbology with Mr. Peterson, Arithmancy with Mr. Z, Ancient Ruins with Sra. Gonzalez, and Muggle Art with Mr. Flinn. As you can see, it’s been a pretty exciting year!

But in all seriousness, as we stand here graduating from Amity, School of Knowledge and Opportunity, I think it’s very plain to see that, despite its lack of actual wizards, witches, and magical creatures, no one can deny that Amity is still a very magical place. Except now the students are the gifted ones. After all, practically the entire school comes out to see the magic put on stage by the theater department every year. And our athletes, even though they don’t play quidditch, are so driven and so determined to overcome every obstacle they face and triumph with glory. And you know, I'd say that we are an incredibly giving class when it comes to community service. Everyone has given a little of their own magic to the community in some way, not just those with the yellow tassels.

We should all be so proud of our achievements but, in reality, they have only just begun.

In our lives, I think we all fall into several categories: the Harry Potters, the Ron Weasleys, and the Hermione Grangers. There are those of us who will sneak out every night under the invisibility cloak to find adventure, meet it head on, and willingly do whatever they can for the greater good. And then there are those who, although they are at first reluctant to follow the spiders, will show their true potential in the final round of a life-size chess match. The Hermione’s will strive for nothing less than perfection in everything they do. And yes, even the Draco Malfoys will succeed because, in the end, they will know when to do the right thing. And to all you Neville Longbottom’s out there, I’d like to say that, though you may doubt yourself, you absolutely have the potential to do great things. And that’s the similarity among all these characters: no matter how different they are, no matter what their skills, they all have an incredible destiny. They just have to believe in themselves. After all, how can you get onto Platform 9 3/4 unless you believe?

And that is the same for all of us. Everyone has the opportunity to be great - all we have to do is embrace the challenge to do so. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin House. We can all make some magic in this world.

Sometimes I feel as if our Amity community is its own extraordinary world. It is an enchanted place in the midst of reality. And that gets me wondering if the magic in our lives will disappear once we leave. The answer is: no, that doesn’t have to be the case. In order to stop that spell from being broken, you must continue to look for the magic in everything you do and adventure everywhere you go. Strive to be the best person you can be by always doing the right thing. In the words of Albus Dumbledore: “It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” No matter who you are today, you can always become who you want to be tomorrow.

There is always time, but what you must keep in mind is to make choices that are right for you. And remember: you don’t have to defeat the Dark Lord in order to be the Chosen One. In the eyes of those who love you, you’ve already earned that title and so much more.

Lastly, I offer a few words of wisdom: beware of mermaids, don’t drink the polyjuice potion, and never, ever provoke the Womping Willow. And, in terms of the real world, don’t get discouraged if you can’t find the magic right away. There is plenty already inside you.

Congratulations, Amity Class of 2011! And congratulations on all the magical things I know you will do.