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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Alex McCloud

Alex's Graduation Photo

My Rollercoaster Ride

Good evening, my name is Alexander McCloud and I must say, I am the only student that has been at City Academy for a decade. No, not really but it has felt like a decade. I have spent eight L-O-N-G years as a student at City Academy, but it has been a LONG fulfilling journey. My experience here has been something similar to a roller coaster ride. I’ve experienced some tight turns, some steep slopes, and sometimes inversion and didn’t know if I was upside down or sitting straight up.

Like most kids my age, amusement parks and rides can be invigorating. You usually start with your hands waving in the air; excited to feel the breeze and soon you’re locked in and without warning you are off; screaming from the top of your lungs, with harsh winds slapping your face and with each twist and turn, it feels like your stomach is having a ride of its own.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Za’Cari Bland

Za'Cari's Graduation Photo

A Grace of New Beginnings

Good evening everyone, my name is Za’Cari Bland. This evening marks the start of new beginnings for me, but I can not continue my path without first acknowledging my “new beginnings” or opportunities as a City Academy student.

I had a unique experience as a student at City Academy and in the beginning, thought of it as a disadvantage. While most students started school at the beginning of the school year, my beginnings at this great place, started midway through my first grade year. Expectations were already established, rigor was enforced and friendships had been bonded. For me, I was the girl on the other side of the wall trying to find my way. I was in despair, empty and isolated. The somber emotions quickly came to past. Soon, I realized that I had a chance at something new. The grace of new beginnings. A chance to make friends and to be a friend, a chance to welcome new challenges, a chance to take risks, a chance at finding my purpose and last but not least, a chance at striving for excellence.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Shiloh Banda

Shiloh's Graduation Photo

Intimidation Kept Me Going

Good Evening! My name is Shiloh Banda and I am pleased and grateful to be standing before you this evening. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be welcomed into a warm institution like City Academy. But never in a trillion years could I imagine standing here as an independent young scholar on Graduation Night; well my day has come.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Zoey DiStaso Hutchins

Zoey's Graduation Photo

What Awaits Me

Good evening everyone! I am Zoey DiStaso- Hutchins. In life, we only get one start, one finish and a couple of chances to make a mark or leave behind some kind of legacy.

One of the biggest questions posed to me as I made my transition through the years by teachers, administrators, my parents and even indirectly by my peers have been “What legacy awaits you?” A question for many years I found difficult to answer and in some cases something to even consider. “What legacy awaits me?” I was puzzled. How can a 9 year old answer such a question? I’m NINE! But over time, and with much consideration, I have spent my time as a student of City Academy living to identify and answer such a question. The best part of answering this question has been the clarity and the identity it has brought to me and my daily decisions as a scholar.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Ahmad Muhammad

Ahmad Muhammad's graduation photo

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Ahmad Muhammad and I am a part of the graduating class of 2019. I stand before you this evening with a model of the Earth which is a representation of my stages of growth throughout my time at City Academy. I started City Academy as a 5 yrs old tyke, since then, I have transformed into the young scholar I am today. Tonight, I am content and delighted to be a graduate of City Academy.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Derrick Palmer

A Bittersweet Chapter

Good Evening my name is Derrick Palmer. Today I’m graduating and I can’t help but reminisce about my bittersweet chapter here. Every great novel includes complications and challenges. While I have been here, I have had many conflicts such as adjusting to the schoolwork, late night homework, fitting in, you know, the new kid stuff. I was the new kid on the block and was not at all happy, because of the dreadful decision my parents made of transferring me.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Gabrielle Moore

Soar High

Good evening, everyone. My name is Gabrielle Moore and today, I’ll be presenting my last speech at City Academy to you.

“I’m a little butterfly
Spread my powerful wings
Even though I’m small and frail I can do most anything”

-A quote by Ross Lynch

This quote will always hold great meaning to me, representing my journey throughout City Academy and the start of a new journey in the fall.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Derek Johnson

Good evening my name is Derek Johnson.

Short, challenging and fulfilling. Words that best summarize my time at City Academy. I started my journey at City Academy in 4th grade. I was a lost soul at first, but in a short time I have grown into the school community and was able to make friends and work diligently to meet academic expectations. At my prior school, I only learned the fundamentals, but in just my short time at City Academy, I have been immersed in an environment that challenged rather than reinforced, causing me to apply myself more and strive to be greater. I AM PROUD OF MY JOURNEY!!!!!

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Poem by Zariyah Nance

Zariyah's graduation photo

Destination

Good evening, my name is Zariyah Nance. Words are helpful in our lives. It helps us to say things, but it also helps us to express what we as human beings feel. Words can make others’ voices be heard, loud enough for the people around us to hear and maybe even the world. Before I officially leave what was once my destination, I will be reciting a poem entitled “Destination” that will allow me to express who I have become as a student of City Academy.

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Graduation Ceremony 2019 | Speech by Alyssa Harris

Alyssa graduation photo

Good evening everyone, my name is Alyssa Harris, and I am proud to be a part of the graduating class of 2019. In my life, I have realized that there are always chains that will try and hold you back, and mountains that you will have to overcome. There are some challenges that come with growing up, like learning how to be responsible, or finding out what it really means to have integrity.

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