Making Diploma Dreams Happen: 2021 Commencement Speech
Graduation is always an emotional, powerful time for us at Buckeye Community School (BCS). The entire community gathered around to celebrate, and the press decided to come too!
Great reflections of growth and camaraderie always come with the end of another year. This has undoubtedly been one for the record books, and we are so honored to share with you the 2021 commencement speech given by BCS graduate Alyssa Black.
Photo credit: Marion Star, Ethan Clewell
BCS Alyssa Black’s Graduation Speech
“Welcome family, friends, teachers, administration, and guests. I want to thank all of you on behalf of the Buckeye Community School 2021 graduates for all of your support, love, and guidance throughout the years of our academic journey.
Thank you for being with us here, to celebrate this wonderful occasion.
To my fellow graduates, though I’ve not met most of you, I can tell you that over the past 13 years or so, we have all put in the time and effort in order to be here this evening. Most of us have gone through our individual trials and our hardships that many may not know about. Some of us, like myself, have lost a parent, while others became a parent. There are some that are fighting addiction, anxiety, depression, disorders, bullying, low self-esteem, and poverty.
No matter what struggles we have gone through or are still facing, we have all persevered to be here as graduates. If you did it by yourself, please thank yourself. Self-love is a courageous type of love, because if you love yourself, you have love to give away. So on behalf of all the 2021 graduates of Buckeye Community School, we would like to extend our gratitude by giving you all a round of applause.
(Thank you!)
Moving forward on your life’s journey, know that you have the stamina and courage to continue being the best you possible. Please do not compare your journeys to others, for as we all had different paths that lead to bigger destinations. Just being here today is an honor and don’t let anything against you take away what you have accomplished and what you are striving for.
I’m striving to survive in a world where it’s hard to exist. I could not have done this alone. I hope each of you take time to show appreciation to someone who has helped you get through high school.
I would like to thank my teacher for being with me for the past four years, and pushing me to start the College Credit Plus program and expanding my awareness of who I am today. Without her advice and motivation, I’m not sure I would be able to be up here to give this commencement speech.
I have the privilege of representing the Buckeye Community School graduates, and I believe they would all like to thank their teachers for pushing, prodding, motivating, encouraging, inspiring, and ushering them on to get here this evening.
I would like to leave you all with a poem from a book I’m currently reading.
‘We must stay young in our hearts, for youth is defined by an insatiable curiosity.
Once a necessity for learning ends, so does purpose.
The human body is simply a shell for the fire that burns deep within.’
Thank you.”
Walking forward together
Every year, our students at BCS amaze us with their brilliance, their convictions, and their incredible hearts. As we walk forward together into the next chapter, we celebrate the growth and accomplishments that our graduates have all achieved.
Congratulations 2021 Graduates!!!!!!
Photo credit: Marion Star, Ethan Clewell
You can read more about this year’s BCS graduates in the Marion Star: Graduates Say Buckeye Community School Allowed Them to Succeed. If you’re looking for a new start and the support needed to earn your high school diploma, BCS is the answer. Give us a call at 740-231-2444 or Toll Free at 833-544-4BCS and talk to a real person.
Send us an email at info@buckeyecs.org or fill out our Contact Us form.
About BCS
At Buckeye Community School (BCS), we create positive educational experiences that empower every student to overcome personal challenges and pursue their unique goals. We meet the needs of the whole student in our productive, safe, and nurturing learning environment. Our high expectations for achievement and student success are matched by our commitment to quality instructional leadership and positive home-to-school and school-to-community relationships. Get to know BCS, today. We’re enrolling!