Norwich Free Academy Announces Class Of 2018 Speakers

From NFA School: NFA Class of 2018 Speakers

Brielle Jewell, Senior Class President

It is traditional for the Senior Class President to give the “Passage Speech” on Class Night.
To be delivered, June 20, 2018 We all have to face a universal truth at some point in our lives. Everything eventually ends -- whether we like it or not. I have looked forward to graduating from high school for most of my life, as you have, I am sure. However, I have always disliked endings: the last day of summer, the final day of an awesome vacation, the farewell to a close friend. But endings are inevitable. Leaves fall; planes fly away; you say goodbye. Tomorrow is one of those days. We say goodbye to everything familiar, everything comfortable, everything safe. We move on. Leaving does not mean that NFA will no longer be a part of us. NFA is our solid ground. NFA is our safe place. NFA is our North Star. Graduation is similar to taking that first step as a toddler. It is only the beginning of what’s to come. As take more steps, we develop new skills and learn to balance, but falling is inevitable. As we did as children, each time we fall, we must get back up, try again, and keep going. So let’s think of graduation as that first step forward into life. We must make life’s difficulties and failures only spark new attempts and not discourage our progress. It is important to look back on the mistakes we made and appreciate the experiences we have had. And even better, look forward to this new chapter with anticipation and excitement. We have learned a lot. But there is still plenty of learning to do. We, the Class of 2018, are a powerhouse of innovation and creativity. We will push the boundaries to make this world a better place, even in the smallest of ways. We are writers, influencers, leaders, and discoverers. We are campaigners and activists. We are teachers, and supporters. We are, and forever will be, Wildcats.

Speakers at graduation are determined by participation in the Cadden-Williams Prize Speaking Contest Both speeches to be delivered, June 21, 2018

Guercie Guerrier -Class Speaker

Good afternoon, I would like to tell you a story today. In 1999 a man from Haiti left behind his wife and daughter to travel to the United States to seek opportunity. In time, his wife joined him, but they left their daughter behind to meet immigration requirements. In the meantime, I was born here. It was eight years before my sister and I could live together in Norwich. She became my role model. The power of education gave my parents the means to improve their lives. My dad was a pastor; my mom, an accountant, but here in their new country their credentials were not recognized. They learned English, and they found only backbreaking work to support their children. Because of my parents’ selfless actions, today I have an education with credentials that are recognized. This is my story. On this beautiful campus, there are thousands of stories, but as new NFA Alumni, we share one: Freshman year, we had a spark in our soul. We started scared, excited, and hopeful for all the Academy offered us: arts, sports, music, but above all, the light of learning and experience. Over six hundred bright faces were ready for a challenge. Now, four years later, look at us! We have accomplished so much. In Cranston House our safe haven, we huddled together, away from the tall, scary, strange seniors. Our diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities intertwined as we taught each other phrases, “Sak Pase!” or “Nap Boule.” Our spark ignited. Lower year, we felt more comfortable, our light shined a bit brighter. The knowledge we acquired the previous year fanned our flame. Students from around the region and the world, teachers who poured their hearts into our spirit, and friends who contributed to our happiness, helped us take pride in our class identity. Upper year, dawned; “the most important year,” as many reminded us time and time again. Long nights, early mornings, and loads of work became our normal. In dark moments, all of us feared that our light would extinguish, but we found strength…to walk up the infamous stairs of Tirrell, to write that paper, take that test, face that science lab, and move brightly forward. Senior year was farthest from our easiest year. Through the college and scholarship applications, captains’ meetings, managing clubs, and being leaders on campus, we overcame all. As the Class of 2018, our luminescence grew as we prepared for this beginning. Today, the glow of your smile tells our story. I am proud to be a part of the illustrious Class of 2018. Our family, teachers, and classmates have encouraged our tenacity and resilience. Our NFA education will continue to burn in our soul. We are brighter individuals than we were four years ago.

Whatever we pursue in the future -- a college education, military service, or a career in the workplace, remember we have spent four years tending our spark at Norwich Free Academy. Today we are a flame -- a torch of goodness. Let’s go, and light this world.

Joleigh Yim -Ivy Orator

Welcome to the end of an amazing four years, and to the beginning of a new age. Not only is this the official end of an era for those of us who were born before the new millennium, but it is also the end of a courageous journey. Although this high school adventure has come to a conclusion, a new story now begins. We were the architects of our four years as students at Norwich Free Academy. Now, we are the architects of of our lives as Norwich Free Academy Alumni. This is the grand finale of our journey along this red and white brick road. In the words of Adrienne Rich, “It’s exhilarating to be alive during a time of awakening consciousness.” Today, we are indeed alive; and our minds are awakened and ready for what is to come. In Judaism, the Hebrew word for “God,” “Yahweh,” can be translated to “I Am.” I Am the architect of this beginning. We are the architects Our era. Today, we step into the future, and each of us is a construction in progress. I have been inspired by the words of President John F. Kennedy, Maya Angelou, and Martin Luther King Jr. Who has inspired you? Use their words and thoughts to map your way to the future. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Where will we go from here?” I say, “Where will You go from here?” What road will You construct? Will yours be a gravel footpath, a two-lane street, or a multi-lane freeway? I Am. You are. We Are Norwich Free Academy Class of 2018 Alumni. I wish you all the best. Congratulations.

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