It is finally time for seniors to make this year’s selection for graduation speakers. This year’s choices reflect not only academic influence but also the profound impact teachers have had on students’ lives beyond the classroom.

Ms. Bains, an English teacher, reflected on the numerous votes she has accumulated and how it has affected her.

 “I am honored that many students feel that I am worthy to be up there to read their names,” Ms. Bains said. “It’s also very intimidating; I have been chosen but I always respectfully decline because I get too nervous and too anxious and messing up would be a disservice to the students.” 

This decision was chosen carefully and made seniors reflect on their past experiences with their teachers.

“I picked Mr. Smith and Mrs. Love because they are my favorite people on the planet,” senior Kassidy Johnson said. “I chose based on the impact they had on my life and who they were as a teacher.”

Students based their decision on how these teachers treated their students and the positive impact they had on the school community. 

“My teachers that I picked always asked how my day was and just a lot of the simple things that teachers sometimes forget to do,” senior Vimala Nair said. “It just pushes us as students to kind of support them as well.”

This won’t be the first time reading at graduation for some teachers who have been chosen in the past. 

“I chose Mr. Reed because he is so inspirational, and he’s been to every graduation before so this one is just adding on,” senior Myekaelah Khadijah said.

This student-driven approach to selecting graduation speakers not only highlights the strong connections between teachers and students but also emphasizes the importance of personal mentorship and support in education. As the graduation ceremony approaches, the anticipation builds for a memorable and student-centric event.