As twilight began to fall on Friday, June 1, the sun was also setting on the high school careers of the 284 Sonoma Valley High School students who gathered at Arnold Field with friends and family for the 124th annual commencement ceremony.
Excerpts from Valedictorian Alyssa Schimm’s speech:
“When reflecting back on our high school experience, I realized that what makes us unique among the 123 graduating classes before us is the fact that we are the first graduating class born in the 21st century. This time period into which we have matured has been an era of innovation and accessibility, but also one that has plagued our world with polarization. What is truly remarkable is the initiative we have taken to produce thoughtful and proactive responses to the issues that have confronted us in this time of severe division. We have seen Oprah Winfrey fight for the ‘Me Too’ movement. We have seen students from Parkland, Florida march on Washington and protest gun violence. And we have heard the influential artists of our generation use their lyrics to ignite social revolutions, that we have all become a part of because, after all, this is America. These role models have proved to us that the power for change in the future is in our hands. I urge us to continue following in their footsteps and fighting for our beliefs. ..
“Our experiences from high school will carry us onward and upward. Be humble, but do not sit down. Be loud, cause a ruckus, go against the grain, uplift others, embrace your journey and, most importantly, do not forget the impact that our generation has already left on this world.
“And, you know, we’re all just out here trying to make our mommas proud.”
Excerpts from Valedictorian Hannah Chun’s speech:
“In the words of the great Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler’s character on ‘Parks and Recreation’), ‘No one achieves anything alone.’ Many of us will be first-generation college students, and even more of us are the children of courageous men and women who began a journey from various countries seeking a better life for themselves and their prospective children. I personally owe this honor, all of it to my parents who came to America to pursue a brighter future for my siblings and me, and to Ms. (Lisa) Conner who guided me through the unfamiliar and formidable college application process. I’ve realized that the people with whom we surround ourselves either raise or lower our standards. The people around us push and motivate us; we become like our friends. We all need people in our lives who raise our expectations, remind us of our goals, and challenge us to become the best version of ourselves.
“As graduates, we will enter into a realm of new experiences and challenges. There is a risk, a sense of uneasiness, any time we venture into the unfamiliar, but it is also an opportunity. It is an opportunity for us to be exposed to new ideas and inspiring people who will help us grow intellectually and as a person.”
Excerpts from Salutotorian Kimberly Uzzo’s speech:
“This is it, hours of homework, practices, clubs, and just a couple speedy hikes down from the Platt, have all come to this moment. After 13 years of school, we are about to cross this stage, and into the next phase. But we will always remember these past four years as some of the most influential years of our lives.
“We have been through a lot together. We supported each other with the loss of Adam Kizer, Sofia Dorr and Brandon Barmore. These three stars shine bright among us here tonight, and their spirits will not be forgotten as we move out into the world. We have evolved a lot from August, 2014 when we timidly walked into Pieffer gym for the first day of high school. It was the year Kim and Kanye got married, and Taylor Swift was still relevant. Our biggest struggles were the six lap mile and the never ending cries of our plastic infants. As Snapchat began to explode, so did the water balloons on the infamous day of May 1st...
“It has been a long, difficult road, many of us balanced jobs and complicated life situations. But I could not be more proud of who we have become... The future may be unknown, but if it is anything like the past four years, it will be filled with laughs, cries, and friends who are there every step of the way. So thank you class of 2018, for growing together and shaping four of the most stressful, yet exciting years of our lives. And remember, it’s always a great day to be a Dragon!”
Photos online at sonomanews.com.
Watch a cap toss video by SVHS graduate Max Schimm at
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