I only spent one year at Chaffee County High School, but I learned and experienced more in that one year, than I have in the rest of my high school years combined. In my time at CCHS I learned more important things than just what the curriculum entailed. I learned how to motivate myself, and how to develop a work ethic. I wasn’t forced to go to school every day, I had to choose to go. I wasn’t forced to do the work, I had to choose to do it. I learned how to act and react like an adult rather than a child. I learned so many life lessons that I don't have time to share them all.
However, the most important lesson that I learned is that I am more capable than I think. I never thought that I would be standing here today. I’ve had some of the best moments of my life at CCHS and definitely some of the worst. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried. But no matter what the situation or circumstance, the entire CCHS staff always believed in me. For that, I want to thank you all. Karen, Mike, Robyn, Jeannette, Reba, Danielle, Juli, Graff, Christine, Candace, and Rachel. You guys are amazing. Your belief in me led me to believe in myself, and that belief in myself is the only reason that I accomplished this. A motivational speaker named Steve Chandler once said, “Do it badly; do it slowly; do it fearfully; do it any way you have to, but do it.” I did it badly, I did it angry, I did it emotionally, I did it tired, I did it fearfully, I did it slowly, I did it upset, I did it with a terrible attitude most of the time, but I did it. In a perfect world, I would have done it confidently, happily, quickly, and with a better attitude, but I am grateful for my experience. In all my emption, in all my highs and lows, I not only learned the life lessons I referred to earlier, but I learned how to do it better next time. Although I am proud of where I am and what I did, there are many more great things in my life to be accomplished. After all that I learned I will be prepared to accomplish the next big things in my future with confidence, patience, clarity, and a good attitude. I’m confident that my experience at CCHS has prepared me for the next big steps I’m going to take, and I am so grateful for that. I am more capable than I think. It may sound cliché to say, but I can do anything that I want to do. Only it’s not cliché. It’s the truth, and my time at CCHS has proven that. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I’m really excited. Thank you all. |
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