Fun Fact!  I'm one of those rare students who actually really loves school unlike most kids my age, and it's mailnly because of all of you, the class of 2021.  Every morning when I would wake up for school, I was motivated by all of you.  Because I knew that missing school would mean I would miss some of the best moments of my life with my classmates...

We are unbelievably lucky to go to a school like SFX.  Not only have we learned how to write essays, do long division, and name the powerhouse of the cell, but as a Catholic school, the path has been set for the rest of our religious lives.  The SFX community - the teachers, students, parents, faculty and staff - have taught me important life lessons and given me everythign I need to live the way Jesus taught...

I want to thank my firends for the unforgettable memories, my teahcers for our education, and God in Heaven for bringng me to this momentous point in my life.  As the great philosopher Winne the Pooh once said, "How lucky I am... to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."  And wow!  I couldn't even imagine a scenario in which that quote would be more perfect to summarize my thoughts at the end of this journey.  I can confidently say that these past eight years have been 400 million times better than I could've ever hoped for, and I owe that all to every single one of you.

Wow, the past year and a half have been wild!  A worldwide pandemic, stay at home orders and online school; sounds like a really bad movie!  I'll admit it, it was hard for me, for all of us.  Never thought I'd say this, but screen time is tiring and being away from each other was just awful, but watching our teachers come up with interesting ways to teach remotely was inspiring...

I feel St. Francis Xavier has directed us all to be amazing people!  It is such a special school with so many factors that separates it from other schools.  I admire the way the school builds on the knowledge we have already learned in the years before and expands it constantly.  For example, the muliplication and division I learned in thrid grade smoothly transitioned into algebra and complex equations.  This school will never stop striving to help kids in their studies and make them a better version of themselves.  This school addresses things beyond education.  SFX encourages growth of the whole person, spiritually, intellectually, and socially.  It has helped us to form long lasting friendships; whether these friends were teachers, younger students, or our classmates.  We have shared so many fond memories about St. Franscis Xavier: all the Family Day competitions, the Jog-a-thons, Disneyland trips, and field trips.  I remember when our class pestered the 7th grade teacher into doing karaoke with us.  She finally gave in and surprised us by singing "Take On Me."

We are all capable of doing great things.  Everyone has different strenghts so don't be discouraged if you are not skilled in certain things (Cough) Art.  Instead, focus on your strengths and skills and let those carry you through life.  Someone once said, "Everyone is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."  I want you to remember those words throughout all of your life and I can assure you, success will come your way.

The class of 2020 is truly blessed by our Almighty God to have a traditional graduation ceremony despite the ongoing circumstances.  Thank you to the faculty of SFX on behalf of my classmates and me for working so hard to make this beautiful ceremony possible and for providing us with a stellar education...

A wise man once said, "I was recalling a memory."  That man, or young man I should say, was none other than one of my fellow classmates.  We often think of rainy days as mundane and boring, but my class knew how to make everything so much more fun.  One particular rainy day memory stands out the most.  We were having an indoor recess in sixth grade.  The class collectively decided that we would play four-corners, a game that involves running to a corner of the room to avoid being eliminated by the person who guesses which corner has the most people in it.  But, there was a fragile statue of Mother Mary on top of a cabinet in a corner.  Perhaps you already know where this ends.  We broke the statue of Mary.  Of course, our teacher found out what happened, and the rest is history.  While we thought it was the end of the world we were taught a lesson to be careful in the class and that no matter what happened to the statue, Mother Mary still loves us!

Fast-forward to this year.  Our experiences this year remind me of the thoughtful words of a fictional character Frasier Crane, "You 're mourning the loss of what you thought your life was going to be.  Let it go.  Things don't always work out how you plan.  That's not neccesarily bad.  Things have a way of working out anyway."  This was the last quote ever written on our classroom board by our homework board writer before we all left school for the last time, and began quarantine.  This year didn't go the way we planned or hoped it would.  At first, we were mournign all the events that we missed out on, but then it was ok.  We learned to let it go, and we made the best out of the stiuation.  Things worked out...

Before we do leave however, there's something I've always wanted to do.  At rallies, our principal often ended the gatherings by saying "Go Lancers!" but he had a specific way of saying it that stayed with me.  Well I'm going to try and recreate his way of saying it.  Here goes... GOOOOOOO LANCERS! 

I have had a great time here at SFX filled with so many great memories that if I were to name them all, I would bestanding here all night!  My favorite memories though are getting third place in current events for the academic decathlon team, going to Disneyland with my classmates with the school, field trips, and winnign defensive player of the year while on the Boys "B" Basketball Team...

I would like to share one of my favorite quotes, which was made by my favorite basketball player, Russell Wesborook.  His quote is "Why Not."  Although this quote is short, it is very meaningful to me in that whenever adversity challenges you... you can follow the words of this quote and realize that you can achieve anything that you can put your mind to.  So whenever faced with adversity, why not challenge yourself to presevere to overcome it?  Why not try for success?  Thank you and God bless you.

I remember my first day of kindergarten at St. Francis.  I was so upset that my mom left, I cried and pouted the whole day. As years progressed, I realized how much this school has become a part of my life.  There have been so many memories that I will cherish forever, from meeting my buddy for the first itme, to monthly sandwich making days, to the pool parties, and all of the traditions and good times we have had as a class... My classmates have all inspired me in your own unique ways.

My faith as a Catholic has also guided me to be the best I can be.  When I have a conflict or I am confused, I find God to be an amazing listener and He is always someone I can talk to.  No matter what I tell Him or what I do, He still loves me.

One of my favorite things to do is to look at pictures from past grades of field trips, parties, or school events.  I not only notice how weird I look with bangs or no part in my hair, but I will notice how much everone here has grown and how different they are.  Sometimes I will remember one specific moment that will make me laugh, or cry.  But, " The best part about pictures is that when the people in the photo change, the memory it contains never will."   

I'd like to take you down memory lane, back to the begining of my journey at St. Francis.  I joined St. Francis as a kindergartener when I was five years old.  I remember that first year being chosen to read at Church.  As I progress through the grades at St. Francis Xavier school became more and more challenging and in particular, the third and fifth grade gave me some toruble.  However, these classes helped me become committed to my grades. 

Throughout my Junior High years, I became closer with my  classmates, espcially with the Academic Decathlon team.  We placed second overall and got to move on to the state finals.  Coming home from the event made me feel poud of myself.  I was fueled with a new confidence.  I stayed with the team for two more years.  This experience was so rewarding and I had so much fun.  

As our time at St. Francis Xaiver comes to an end, I beleive that all of us can do great things, and I will never forget the memories that I have created with you all.