June 02, 2023
Hello everyone, my name is Verselé though when I went here everyone knew me as VJ. First off I want to start by congratulating the graduating class of 2023! This is an amazing accomplishment and you all should be very proud. I once was sitting where you all are now and I remember an Alum giving their speech and how all I could think about was the cake they give out at the end, so I’m going to try to not make it too long.
I graduated from City Academy in 2016 and then went on to graduate from Crossroads in 2022. I’ve just finished up my first year at college and I can genuinely say I wouldn’t be where I am today and so well prepared without the foundation that was City Academy. A lot of things have changed since I went here, back in my day we had the Nature Trail, there was a rock climbing wall that I would fall off just about every day, and we had chickens– pet chickens that would escape and we would have to chase them. So safe to say these were some good changes made.
But something that has always stayed the same is our pledge. Our pledge starts out with “I can be my best, by doing my best” Every morning before starting your day you would state these words “I can be my best, by doing my best.” Though some mornings you were half awake saying them or just saying them because you had to. I hope there was at least one moment when you really believed what you were saying, and if you are still doubtful of those words look where you are right now, graduating.
For the last 8 years or however long you’ve been at City Academy, you have been proving those words to be true “I can be my best, by doing my best.” Though there were definitely times when you were frustrated or wanted to quit, you didn’t! You continued to persevere and work hard. You continued to be your best by doing your best. Not only have you all given your best to this school but in return City Academy has given you their best to you as well. By giving you teachers that have motivated you to do better and supported you when you’ve made a mistake, by giving you a safe place where you felt comfortable asking questions, by not judging your creativity and instead hanging it up in the hallways.
Though you are graduating and leaving City Academy you are just leaving the building. You will always have a family here and will be supported every step of the way into your next chapters of life. You all did your best here at City Academy, and this is just the beginning of your best yet to come.