Margaux Adams Barrett,
Mount Saint Joseph Academy:
Remember we thought we would not be in school for only two weeks. How wrong we were! For the next two years, we watched as our nation grew divided, as people we loved fell ill, as the world seemed to morph into something that we, in the entirety of our young lives, had never seen before. Not two weeks ago, the noble pursuit of education itself was, once again, threatened by senseless violence, and even today, during this celebratory moment, an unjust, horrific war rages across the sea. Sadly, the list goes on.
Brendan Costello,
Springfield Township High School:
I know that we all at least have pretty clear expectations for approximately fifteen minutes into the future. Our names will be called, we’ll go collect our diplomas, and maybe wave triumphantly to our parents. But as we consider more minutes, more hours, more days, more weeks, more increments of two and a half months into the future, our expectations for it become much, much foggier and obscured. And that’s the cool thing about the future.
Henry Davis,
William Penn Charter School:
One opportunity I’m glad that I experienced was taking the American Studies class. I joined the class with a fixed world view, and at first, I had trouble understanding that people had different opinions about the world. Through that class, I learned an important lesson in how different people experience life. This is a lesson I’m glad to have learned as a high schooler. I hope that when we go to college my peers and I will be open to equally exciting new opportunities and growth. That's how schools change lives and that's how we continue to evolve.
Chandler Fattah,
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy:
Gone are the days of going to school because “that’s just what you do.” If higher education is where you are headed, appreciate the options you have, and figure out how you can use your privilege to help others. If college isn’t for you, and you are off to join the workforce, take a gap year, or pursue one of the million other paths we now have the option to go down. My advice is still the same. Learn. Because the most significant lessons I’ve learned have been outside of the classroom. Learn from the people around you.
Photo by Julia Lehman photography
Lauren Martz,
William Penn Charter School:
We’re never going to be this age, or at this time in our lives ever again. But don’t confuse that with pressure we feel to make these the “best years of our lives.” Because I know, there are a lot of moments when it really doesn’t feel like the best years. And that’s OK! It’s OK not to be having the time of your life all the time. In fact, it’s in these tougher moments when we realize we need our community the most.
Kira Olson-Allen,
The Crefeld School:
Our unique high school journey reminds me of the famous Dr. Seuss story, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” I think this book perfectly describes the resilient and talented class of 2022, as we take our next steps into the world outside of these buildings. We celebrate the beginning of our new adventures on our journeys, which include moments of happiness, hardship, and laughter, creating new memories on our way to the places we'll go. The next chapters of our stories have just started. Today we are off to great places! Today is our day! Our mountains are awaiting. So ... let’s get on our way!
Alex Purdue,
Germantown Friends School:
In this class, someone can be the track team’s fastest sprinter and also a political activist. You can also have someone who’s a talented high soprano and about to major in mechanical engineering. Someone can be a fantastic visual artist who wants to use their talent to develop video games……
It would be very easy to say our complex personalities were forced on us by the times we’re living in. But that would be wrong. Yes, COVID has forced us all to be flexible and accommodating. And we have lived through so many events that made us rethink our identities. While these things are true, our class is not acquiescent to this change. We’re not just going with the flow – we are directing the flow. We are the class and the generation that is breaking down singularities, and in many cases, binaries.
Laney Riley,
Academies @ Roxborough High School:
As the class of 2022, we had no no choice, but to turn into chameleons. Adapting to the “normal” part of high school, redirecting to virtual school, and going back to in-person learning, while dealing with ever changing COVID restrictions and guidelines. No part of this experience was easy to any degree, but we can all say that we survived. Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” and I live by that. I must say, I genuinely didn’t think I’d make it this far, let alone be valedictorian. But I did make it. We all did.
Amani Rivers,
William Penn Charter School:
Look at where you started – reflect on who you were, what your dreams might have been at the time, the things that might have burdened you back then. And look at you now, adorning caps and gowns, taking Penn Charter out of your Instagram bio and replacing it with wherever you may be heading next, laughing at the things that used to concern you, like one bad test grade or a friend who you were better off without anyways.”
Kayla Stephan,
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy:
Class of 2022, we did it! Through all the stress, we made it through. Senioritis started the day we first got to park in the senior lot - and it was real. Parents, I’m sorry for stressing you out, the late nights and all the last minute things needed for school the next day. Thank you for getting us through these unforgettable years and I hope we did not disappoint. And lastly, teachers you have supported us. You have taught us the foundations of life and really are the backbone of our success. High school was unpredictable, a great lesson, and completely different from [the movie] “High School Musical,” but all in all I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Photo by Julia Lehman photography