SAHIL AKHTER
Senior Class President
By SAHIL AKHTER
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and, of course, the graduating Class of 2023. A warm and heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you as we gather here today to celebrate an incredible milestone in our lives — the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and growth.
It is my great honor to stand before you and deliver this speech, filled with pride, admiration and a touch of nostalgia. As we look back on the past four years, we can’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions — joy, excitement, anticipation and perhaps a tinge of sadness at the thought of leaving behind the comfort of our high school days.
First and foremost, I would like to give a round of applause to the foundation of LHS, our Principal Mr. Cleary. I speak on behalf of everyone here today that we will miss you dearly, and your impact on this school has not gone unnoticed.
As we gather here on this momentous day, looking back at our high school journey, it fills my heart with immense pride to say that our grade has truly excelled in every aspect. We not only achieved strong academic results on standardized tests and AP exams, but we also acted as leaders for the freshmen by serving as Compass advisors, guiding them through the challenges of high school with kindness and support.
We created memories that will forever remain etched in our hearts, from the senior prank where we camped out on the field and watched the sunrise together, to the simple yet cherished moments of mask breaks, where we would all gather outside, sharing laughter and camaraderie. These moments brought us closer, fostering a sense of community that defined our LHS experience. Through our collective achievements and shared experiences, we have proven that our grade is not just academically exceptional, but also compassionate, resilient and full of vibrant spirit.
Our experience at LHS has not been perfect, but it was ours. Some people say high school is forgettable, but I think that couldn’t be further from the truth. The seemingly meaningless daily interactions will have an impact on us like we cannot even comprehend until it is already gone. The subtle anticipation you feel when walking into a class and seeing your friends smiling at you. The moments where your teacher is yelling at the class and you and your friend can’t help but look at each other and hold your laughter. The small greetings we all give when we pass each other in the halls. It’s all in the past now. Some of us are going off to college, some to the workforce, but we are all moving on to a new chapter in our lives.
Up until this point, we have done everything together. We have been in the same halls and walked together. We have sat at the same tables and eaten together. We have been given the same assignments and worked together. We have been in the same rooms and laughed together. Up until this point, we have all been living our own lives, but we have done it together. From when we were kids on the playground, scraping our knees on the pavement, to now, high school graduates all gathered here today to finally go our separate ways.
I feel as though it is not right for me to make this speech without mentioning one special person. Let’s all take a moment of silence to remember our dear friend and classmate, Sonny Tropeano. It is crazy to think that it has already been almost eight years since he passed, but not a day has gone by where I have not thought about him. I know he is looking down on all of us today with a smile on his face.
You are the kids that I grew up with and nothing will ever change that. I hope the absolute best for all of you. I hope your futures hold endless possibilities and limitless success. As we embark on this new chapter, let us go forth with a sense of purpose, knowing that we have the power to shape our own destinies and make a difference in the world. Finally, thank you for granting me the privilege to call you all my friends.
Thank you for your time.