So, good afternoon everyone. Family, friends, faculty, staff, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2025. Welcome and congratulations. Today is a day of celebration and of great meaning. You, the class of 2025, are here to receive your high school diploma, a symbol of hard work and growth. But more than that, this diploma represents a powerful something powerful equal footing. No matter where life takes you next, college, work, the military, a gap year, or a path still unfolding, today you step forward with a foundation under your feet and a world of opportunity ahead. Today is your day. Now, I don't have the incredible voice of our own Miss Leandra because if I I always imagined of singing at a graduation and and and Bianca, you did such a beautiful job, but this is not where I would shine. Um, I would sing My Wish by Rascal Flats.
Some of you may know it, some of you may not. But because those words of that song say beautifully what is in my heart, but instead today I will share something that was quite literally dropped in my lap during our recent Eureka speaker series. After the event, a kind and thoughtful woman turned to me, came up to me and said, "I think you found your icky guy." icky guy. And I was intrigued and asked her to explain. icky is a Japanese concept that means reason for being. It's a beautiful philosophy that encourages us to find what makes our lives truly worth living. And that, dear graduates, is my wish for each and every one of you. That you find your eeky guy. Icky lives at the intersection of four things. What you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
It's about passion, mission, vocation, and profession. It's not a destination. It's a journey. One that invites you to live mindfully, joyfully, and with intention. Some of you may have already felt glimpses of your eeky guy in the art you create, the people you help, the problems you solve, the dreams you're beginning to chase. Others may still be looking, and that's okay because finding your eeky guy takes time, courage, and curiosity. But never stop searching. Be bold enough to explore, humble enough to listen, and brave enough to change. And while the world will always have its noise and its chaos, I hope you can quiet the noise long enough to hear the pull of your own purpose. You are more than test scores or transcripts. You are creators. You are thinkers. You are leaders. You are dreamers. And you are what makes this school, this community, and this world a better place.
Class of 2025, thank you for joy, laughter, lessons, and the legacy you leave behind. May your days ahead be filled with much meaning and may each and every one of you find your eeky guy. Congratulations graduates. We are so very proud of you. [Music] [Applause] So at this time I would like to call to the podium class valictorian Edith Abson. [Music] [Applause] Good afternoon faculty, staff, parents, friends, and family. But most importantly, good afternoon to the Tahansto class of 2025. My name is Edith Abson, and it is an honor to stand here as your class validictorian. We, the class of 2025, have spent the past 4,752 hours approximately inside high school walls. But today, I would like to talk about a different place, a place where I've spent countless other hours, which is the kitchen. When I think back over the whole high school experience, it seems an awful lot like baking a cake.
So today I would like for you to all envision that you are about to bake a cake. It doesn't matter what type of cake it is, just choose your favorite. First, let's mix up the ingredients. Grab the basic ones, the flour, the sugar, and the eggs because they will lay essential foundations for the cake. Zooming out, most of us had a similar high school experience. Greeting Mr. Aqua when we walked in every morning, seeing the humanities teachers gossiping between classes, and chatting with Mr. um at his signature doorway post, but each of us took advantage of the opportunities around us differently. Some of us became three sport athletes, some of us became active band members, and some of us simply showed up every day with a mission to put a smile on everyone's face. I'm thinking of you, NJ. So, while the basic ingredients are important, don't forget to add the vanilla, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
All of those ingredients need to make your cake represent all of the various opportunities that high school presented. Next up, it's time to actually bake the cake. You might want to peek in a few times to admire your creation, but don't feel pressured to rush the process because this is the step where the cake begins to rise and grow. As a freshman, I, like so many others, felt out of place and so ready to be done. Throughout high school, there are quite a few awkward periods where you question yourself and where you belong. These are uncomfortable moments where patience and reflection are the most important. Waiting for any cake to rise takes time, but I would like to emphasize the importance of using that time to grow and thrive. And finally, the last step is decorating the cake. This is where things get fun. Would you like pink frosting, a three- tiered extravaganza, or perhaps some icing ador?
This step in the baking process is probably the most fun, but it is also an important reminder to let your personality shine through. Whether it be through your ceramics project, Mr. DHY's final essay sophomore year or a real cake. I want to remind you to embrace your creativity and to never compare your progress or ideas to others. Few, now that your cake is all finished up, take a moment to admire it. Appreciate the process, the time, and the effort that went to that went into it. The culmination of all the years of ingredients, some failed and some successful. To the class of 2025, you have managed to rise and to become ready for the next challenge. So now it's time to enjoy your cake. Thank you and congratulations [Applause] everybody. Now I would like to introduce our saludiatoran Isabelle Brousette. [Music] Good afternoon, friends, families, faculty, and fellow class of 2025 graduates.
My name is Isabelle Brassette, and it's my absolute honor to stand here today as the class of 2025 saludiatoran. As many before me have mentioned, it's hard to believe that we finally made it to this day in this moment, but we really did it. Many, many months ago, I sat awake late one night in the final stretch of my sophomore year, desperately trying to figure out what to write for my final essay for Mr. Dhy's English class. As many of you know, on the first day of sophomore year, Mr. Dohy asks us the following question. Where have you come from, my dear student, and where are you going? When the end of the year comes around, this very same question is written on the final exam. At only 16 years old, it can be hard to know where you're going. The future seems uncertain and the idea of reaching the end of high school is unfamiliar.
But now the end of high school is in fact here. And only a few short weeks ago, I walked into AP Lit where Mr. Dohy handed each of my classmates and I an envelope with our name written on it. Inside was the very essay that I had written all those months ago. To be totally honest, I didn't even know if I wanted to open that envelope. What could I have possibly written then that was worth reading now? Mr. Mr. Dhy encouraged us to read the essays anyway. We all sat down and the room quieted as old pieces of paper will were pulled from envelopes and unfolded. As I reread pages of my own words, I realized why we were doing this. I was absolutely shocked. I couldn't believe the continuity between my goals from two years ago and the things I've accomplished today. But I realized that knowing where you want to go as a young sophomore in high school isn't the point of Mr.
Dhy's final question. It isn't even about knowing exactly what you want to do right now as the minutes move towards the moment when we receive our diplomas. Instead, it's about understanding how the moments of our past shape us into who we are now and in the future. How our relatives, our best friends, our teammates, or our favorite mentors have impacted our lives and helped us get to this point. So, I'd like to take a moment to share my gratitude with those who have helped me get here today. Mom and dad, thank you for encouraging, guiding, and loving me always. Your support means more than you could possibly know. Colin, thank you for your constant help with studying and for inspiring me to be the best version of myself. To my family as a whole, thank you for your love and kindness. You're the reason I made it to this moment today.
To my friends and my teammates, thank you for pushing me to challenge myself and work hard for my goals, whether in school, on the field, or in life in general. And lastly, thank you to the teachers and mentors that guided us to this point today. You've inspired us to follow our dreams and reach for the stars. 15 years ago, I first stepped foot into the Talonto preschool alongside six of the other graduates here today. We've been going to school together for 14 years. In our second year of school, the new Tanto was built. We all attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the very school that we stand in right now. To be honest, I don't remember a whole lot about that day, but I do know that the foundation that was built at this school was one of community and of friendship. I've gone to school with many of my other classmates since kindergarten.
Some of you I met in sixth grade. Some of you I met somewhere in between. Together, we've navigated highs and lows, made it through the fun days and the boring ones, made mistakes, and learned. Today, we're here to celebrate it all. We've built upon the foundations of community that started here at Tahanto. all those years ago. Thank you to the family and friends, teachers and mentors that made this all possible. But most of all, I'm so proud to say congratulations to my fellow graduates of the Tanto class of [Music] 2025. I'd now like to introduce Mr. Chris Cavino, who will be delivering the faculty address. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] graduates. I only hope I can be as eloquent as you have been. Um, Mr. Doherty, Mr. Minan, Mr. Weedman, Ms. McCarthy, Miss Rinker, Mr. Pico, you could have chosen any one of these dignified, thoughtful, and highly respected faculty members to share their thoughts and words of wisdom with you today.
But like many of the other choices you've made that haven't quite panned out as one would have hoped, you've chosen me to speak, your very own school bus driver. I guess I'm different things to different people. To most of you, I was your chemistry teacher. To others, I was your driver's ed teacher. Some of you have absolutely no idea who I am. You just kind of see me in the hallway every now and then. So, just bear with me throughout my upcoming rambling diet tribe. I finally have your full attention. No cell phones to distract you for my final lecture. As much as you might be itching to glance down at them right now, I've had the pleasure of watching many of you grow from insecure, goofy freshmen to the grown, insecure, goofy, soon to be Tanto graduates. It's just a it's a different kind of goofy.
A different kind of insecurity. I know you're ready to put this place in the rear view. There's just all the uncertainty that goes along with that. The memories and experiences you've had here at D at Tanto, the good ones and the bad, as much as you may or may not like to admit it, have shaped who you are and how will you will handle yourself once you walk out those doors. Speaking of doors, many of you would wander in. Well, actually, wait. You would just kind of lurk in the doorway of my classroom, usually sending Princessa or Sophia in first and then asking me for a granola bar or a bag of microwave popcorn with some big smiles. Meanwhile, here I am thinking, "Finally, someone is coming for extra help." But no, you are just interested in the food. Well, you're cut off. You're absolutely cut off.
You're on your own. You think I drive the bus for fun? No, I'm funding your snack habits. Speaking of driving, life is a highway. Never mind that metaphor. Metaphors are for English teachers. I'm a science teacher. So, let's try to approach this a little bit more scientifically. I don't like to think of myself as being particularly old. But, as I'm approaching the ripe old age of 46, I don't think my perspective on life has really changed much in the intervening years since I started teaching 23 years ago. Sometimes in quiet contemplation, I ponder what's important to me and I think about my interactions with others and what I could do to be a better person. I've chosen to come here every day, well almost every day, and try to help students become the best version of themselves, even if you really didn't know it or like it at the time.
Why does chemistry seem so hard? Why does physics seem even more so? I frequently hear by the time I figured out the last thing, we've already moved on to the next thing. I really miss stoometry. Uh, in Mr. Ironman's engineering the future class, many of you tested the load limits of concrete to the point that the concrete fails. In physics with Miss Smith, you tested the structural capacity of your bridges to the point that the bridges collapse to the ground. What is the point of testing to failure? Well, how can you stretch the limits, your own limits, if you don't know what they are? You don't know how far you can go until you've reached that failure point. This is a critical idea in engineering and science. In class, I repeatedly told you that once I showed you how to do a particular problem, the real value of having you do it is lost.
The process of doing is where the benefit lies. Don't be afraid to do. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or fail. Don't shy away from challenges because they're outside your comfort zone. You will look back someday at some point and say, "Wow, that was so easy." But that's because you've experienced it. You've learned from it. Failure is a part of life. To be clear, I'm not talking about taking physical risks with your life, but taking emotional, academic, and social risks that have the opportunity for immense long-term reward, but sometimes with the risk of short-term failure. Don't be afraid. Failures are opportunities disguised as disappointment. You're strong, confident, and have built the character that you need to be successful beyond the walls of this place. the walls of which you will shortly leave forever. Unless you're like Mr. Whitehead, Miss Nelson, Mr. Weedman, Mr. Bedro, Miss Hutchinson, Miss Cox, Miss Emily Squa, and countless other Tahanto alumni who have returned to teach and inspire the next generation.
It's definitely not a good day when you hear, "My experiment is exploding," only to realize that a student used soap rather than a water bottle in a lab. Princess, not my fault. Not my fault was a frequent reaction. Our natural response is to always try to find someone other than ourselves to blame for mistakes. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to say no. You cannot use your lab partner as a source of error. Our fear of taking responsibility is rooted in two parts. It conflicts with our ego and we think people view it as a sign of weakness. I've recently increased um noticed an increase in the amount of blame shifting and fingerpointing. It's how you react to those failures and mistakes that people respect. Blaming others makes it difficult for you to grow as a person. Taking responsibility shows other people that you're ready for challenges and can be open to criticism.
Blaming others puts up a wall that makes it difficult for them to put their trust in you. But enough about lab disasters and the universal fear of accountability. Let's talk about something far more unpredictable. Driving busfuls of sugared up teenagers to and from their athletic events. The best thing about driving the bus has been to be able to watch your games. I relished it in the joy of your incredible victories and and lamented those emotional, gut- punching losses, which certainly made for some interesting and quiet rides home. I'll miss the crazy number of p amazing personalities you have in your class. unique doesn't really begin to describe you. I'm not even sure where to begin. Ergus Jashari, eating calamari while driving a Ferrari comes to mind. Um, that was Ergus' slogan when he ran for uh, class officer. It's amazing what students can do with a little bit of Photoshop and a little bit of motivation.
Alana, Ally, and Sam kind of lingering in the hallway outside my door while stalling to go to class. uh Lily and her amazing uh pumpkin whoopy pies that were always a hit. And Lucas, um had you ever had a Capri Sun before you took my driver's ed class? I've never seen a person down as many pouches in as short a period of time as you. Kudos. And anyway, uh Michelle, yes, I intentionally did not show up for your last driving lesson because my heart just couldn't take it anymore. I have many fond memories of your class that I only wish I had time to share with you. Don't let fear of failure keep you from exploring new experiences and pushing your boundaries. You grow the most when you step outside your comfort zone. Mistakes are part of learning, so embrace them with courage and curiosity.