“The Valedictorian”By: Kendra Mancino

“Graduation is a time to thank those that have helped you through the years and I’m going to tell you a story...”

#1

“I was a freshman and I was walking home on a Friday after school. I had all my books. Nothing was going right that day. It was a Firday, I was suposed to be excited for the weekend, but I wasn’t.”

#2

“Two popular girls came over to me. I knew right away that I was in for a treat. These same two girls have been making my highschool life a living hell.”

#3

“Right away they came over and knocked my books out of my hand.”

#4

“I sat on the ground for ten minutes crying to myself. I knew life wasn’t going to be easy, but nobody said it would be this hard.”

#5

“As I was just about to leave, a girl came over and handed me my books. This girl has been my neighbor ever since I moved into my new house. Her name was Kylee. We walked home together and carried some of my books.”

#6

“Kylee asked me my plans for the weekend and I said something about just staying in. Kylee then invited me to go to dinner with her and some friends. We exchanged numbers and both went into our houses.”

#7

“Around 6 o’clock Kylee beeped out front and I quickly grabbed my wallet and ran out of the house and got in the car.”

#8

“We showed up to a bar and grill called Lucky Ducks. I’ve never been there before, but I’ve heard of it because it was so close to our houses.”

#9

“We stayed until 10pm that night talking about everything. Boys, school, celebrities. We all just got along so well and even Kylee’s friends liked me.”

#10

“Every Friday from then until now, we have been walking home together. Kylee would always offer to carry half of my books.”

#11

“And I’m here today because of her. The first day we met was a very sad day until she showed up. I didn’t think there was any hope for me to live anymore.”

#12

“And I haven’t told anybody this until now, but the day I met Kylee, I was planning on commiting suicide. I knew life wasn’t going to get any better. I was sitting in class starring at the clock, waiting for the bell to ring.”

#13

“I was carrying all my books because I didn’t want my mom to have to clean out my locker.”

#14

“You saved my life Kylee, and I can’t thank you enough. There needs to be more people like Kylee. Bullying is very serious, and suicide is not the answer.”

#15

“I’m going to end with a quote. My mom said always end with a quote because someone already said it best, so if you can’t top it, steal from them and go out strong.”

#16

“Orson Welles said ‘We’re born alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment we’re not alone.’ Thank you.”

#17

If you see someone being bullied, don’t just walk away and pretend you didn’t see anything. Go help them and let them know that you care. Just like Kylee did with Jamie.

#18

Life is to valuable to be hiding in the shadows.

#19

“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.”- William James

#20