S OUTH S AN H S CHOOL

Hello graduates…well soon to be graduates. As you all know, I was declared the nerdiest student of our class, a title I am truly honored to behold. With this title comes the added bonus of giving a speech, and I have to say, it is a lot of pressure. After all, today is not only about me, but about all of us. It is about the 100th graduating class of South San Antonio High School. With that being said, I simply hope to relate to each and every one of you with at least one thing I have to say. Now before I begin, I want to apologize for any second hand embarrassment you may feel due to the next words to leave my mouth…

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.” I know, I know, I’m sorry. But I first heard this 1382 days ago, the first day of our freshman year. Since then I have kept it in my heart and mind with a plan to try to live by it. Well, as the great and wise Yoda once said, “Do, or do not. There is no try.” And it fills me with pride and joy to say that we did not “just try”. No, instead we did it; we made it here today. And now that we are here, we can finally let our backpacks and number 2 pencils down and enjoy the relief that comes with removing the weight off our shoulders.

Before we focus on the present and the future, however, it is important to never forget the past. After all, it is our past that led us here today and paved the road for the future that lies ahead. So before leaving your bag in a dark corner to be forgotten about and or eventually thrown out, put it on your back for one last time while you walk through the halls and classes. Walk past the lockers in E and F building that were never used how we thought they would be based on the movies; walk up and down the stairs for the second time that day or walk all the way from CTE to the third floor of A building only to complain how your legs want to give out. While on this journey, recall all the hellos, goodbyes, and see you laters that you said during passing periods. The ones you said to your friends or that best friend who became family to you. Walk into your favorite class, the one with the teacher you would rant to or joke around with. The one where you not only learned about what was taught, but also learned about yourself and the kind of person you want to become. The class where you would let your stress go and get the break you needed from everything else you were facing in life.

Now as our flashback ends and our minds come back to this moment, it is important to not forget about those that got us here today. Whether that be our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, best friend, teacher, director, faculty, staff, a fellow student struggling by our side, or even a pet: those with us here today, in the stands or in spirit: whoever it is that kept us going when we felt like quitting: the ones that made our heavy backpacks seem even the slightest bit lighter. Do not forget them for even a moment, but instead keep them in your thank-yous, memories, and hearts.

For me, the ones I’ll keep in my heart and memories and who I thank with all I have is: my mom who is the first one I have to mention because she has always been my rock, my number 1 supporter since day one, and the person who most impacted the man I am today: my step-dad who is more than just a step-dad to me but is my dad and whose last name I will one day make my own: my grandma who would take away my stress with her back scratches and rom-coms: and my two tias who I have to thank at the same time to not show a favorite and who both inspire me more than they know. Of course, I have many more people who deserve a thank-you, and by the end of the night they will receive it, but as to not bore everyone else I will only do one more. I thank myself. Yes, I know it may sound conceited, but as my parents have been telling me the past couple months, this achievement is my own.

In fact, the same is true for us all. So to each and everyone of you, be proud and thankful towards yourself most of all. In the end, it was YOUR own strive, work, and determination that got you here, moments away from walking this stage and getting YOUR diploma. So one last time, congratulations everyone here today, and I will see you all on the other side of the tassel. After all, once a bobcat, always a bobcat. Thank you.”

Diego Roman Tellez Guzman