Graduation Speakers Prepare to Challenge Their Fontbonne Classmates

Tonight, as the 103 graduates from the Fontbonne Academy prepare to bid farewell to high school and say hello to their futures they will be addressed by two of their peers.

Unlike many other schools that select their graduation speakers based solely on class ranking, Garbriela Kirk, Weymouth, and Alexandra Odegaard, Rockland, went through a much more intensive process. The two speakers were chosen from a group of 10 who expressed interest in the honor.

Aside from having above the required 3.5 Grade Point Average, Kirk and Odegaard answered essay questions, faced an interview panel of nine and were voted upon by faculty and their classmates.

For both the speakers, their desire to speak at graduation came from a love of their school.  They will now have the opportunity to challenge the class of 2010. With their speeches written and rehearsed, Odegaard said she's not even nervous, while Kirk's only worry is letting her emotions get the best of her.

The commencement ceremony represents the end of four years of hard work and involvement for Odegaard and Kirk.

While at Fontbonne, Odegaard served as the Vice President of the Student Council as well as an admissions ambassador, a peer minister and a peer educator. Odegaard was also a member of the Good Fountain Players, the National Honors Society, the varsity cheerleading team, track team and service club.

Kirk served as the President of the International Club and Leader of the Wellspring Club while attending Fontbonne Academy. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society while participating in the gospel choir and the equestrian club. Kirk was a peer minister, peer educator and a mentor as well as a math tutor and an admissions ambassador.

Kirk said her experience at Fontbonne was like she was told it would be. She tried a variety of activities before settling into the ones she enjoyed most. Odegaard had a similar experience, as she played a range of sports before focusing on the championship-winning cheerleading squad.

As they say goodbye to their classmates tonight, the speakers prepare to embark on their own futures.

Kirk will be attending the University of Pennsylvania. Though she said she is intimidated by the Ivy League school's size, she feels that the Fontbonne Academy has prepared her academically.

Odegaard has enrolled at Saint Anselm College, where she was accepted into the honors program. Just like when she entered Fontbonne, Odegaard is ready to try new things.

"Show confidence and people will respect you," said Odegaard.