THS Valedictorian Speech

Good evening! I’m Grace Smith and I consider it an honor to be able to speak on behalf of the Class of 2026. C.S. Lewis may have said it best, “Isn’t it funny how day to day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different.”One day, along the way, this place became the backdrop of our lives, whether that be the Ag building, band hall, football field, or auditorium. The hallways Friday nights, the people beside us tonightthey slowly over time became home. I don’t think any of us will remember every test score or even every win, but we will remember how this chapter shaped us. From Freshman year, with many of us starting off with two-a-days in the sweltering heat, to tonight, sitting together in our caps and gowns, we’ve grown through the memories. We began with backpacks bigger than our confidence. Walking through those doors freshman year, we weren’t quite sure where we belonged yet. Some found FFA and became speakers, leaders, and workers. Some thrived in athletics, building camaraderie among teammates and pushing their physical and mental limits in competition. Then others sought Band and brought life to events through their music. We’ve shared life’s ups and downs together for the past 13 years. There were happy times like very competitive musical chairs at pep rallies, hunting each other with water guns, and so many more memories. However, not every moment was easy. We’ve all faced pressure, failures, setbacks, uncertainty, moments where the future felt overwhelming, and losses but the importance of those moments are that they aren’t where the story ends. Through these shared experiences, we found strength in unity. Thank you to the Teague ISD faculty and staff for creating this home away from home for us. The Ag teachers, thank you for pushing the limits on our stage fright and educating us with many life lessons. The coaches, thank you for providing a competitive environment while also making us feel seen. Special shout-out to Coach Craig for the best hugs! The band directors, thank you for bringing life and creativity into the student body. The teachers, thank you for giving us your time and pouring into us to give us an excellent education. (Even when we are absent a lot and take all your pencils.) The counselors, thank you for giving us your ear and full attention, even when you’re as overwhelmed with work as we are. The janitors, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and office staff, all the unsung heroes that I feel don’t get enough praise, thank you so much for keeping the school clean, picking up our messes and preparing for each event- I know at times we can be a pretty reckless and messy crew! And the remainder of Teague ISD, thank you for pouring into us and helping us reach this milestone to end this chapter! We are grateful! I’d also like to thank the Lord for blessing this class with countless opportunities throughout this chapter, for the talents and skills we possess, and for always being present on the top of the mountain and even down in the valley. Now, Senior class, I’d like to challenge us, to be bold and courageous in this next chapter. Our class is filled with leaders, dreamers, doers, and strivers. We are in a time when the world needs the people in our class. To quote the book of Esther “you were born for such a time as this.”This country was built by people who dared to stand up and speak out. And this country is in need of people willing to stand up and be brave again. Theodore Roosevelt said- “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood...” Don’t let critics decide your future when they aren’t willing to step into the arena. Our world and our community need people willing to lift their heads instead of looking away and willing to recognize the sacrifices that gave us the opportunities we have today. Freedom, opportunity, the lives we live, and even the ability to sit in these seats tonight were built by people who were willing to sacrifice for something greater than themselves. They chose courage over comfort, conviction over silence, and service over self. Class- now it’s our turn to carry that responsibility forward. Each of us is unique. A nostalgic 80’s movie might say it best.... “You see us as you want to see us... in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.” I discourage you from shrinking yourselves to fit a world that tells you to stay quiet. Be bold enough to speak. Brave enough to lead. Strong enough to endure pressure. And courageous enough to stand firm when others choose the easy path. History has never been changed by those who chose comfort over courage. This may seem like a lot of pressure, but pressure is a privilege! Before we go our separate ways, I’d like to speak a blessing over our class. The Blessing comes from Numbers 6: 24-26 this is after the Exodus, Moses is speaking over a very young Nation of Israel to place God’s name, protection, provision, grace, and peace over the people. Classmates “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” So, Class of 2026, let’s lift our heads, step into the arena, and stand for something greater than ourselves. Strive for honor! Wreck ‘Em!