Good morning everyone!
For those of you who don’t know us I’m Chloe,
and I’m Ghiyan!
Words can not even begin to express the joy we have to be able to celebrate this day with you all!
For many of us, this is the first graduation ceremony we’ve been able to attend in person, so we promise to make this one special!
As Ghiyan and I sat down to write this speech, we found ourselves writing a very serious, emotional speech. However, when we went back and read our first draft, we laughed.
It sounded nothing like us.
Those of you who know me and Ghiyan, you’d probably know that people can describe us as obnoxiously loud and energetic.
So to the person who came banging on the door of our Hill House 5F apartment in freshman year to tell Chloe and me to “respectfully shut up”, we would like to sincerely apologize!
With that being said we realized we were in NO position to be giving any of you life advice.
But, Nick Jonas from the Jonas brothers can!
As the famous singer once said, “Life happens. Adapt. Embrace change, and make the most of everything that comes your way.”
We found this quote fitting to share, as it resonates deeply with the remarkable journey we've collectively undertaken as the class of 2024.
Our first taste of college life included the uncharted territory of virtual learning and the complexities of social distancing. Still, despite all that, you all have truly shown how amazing you are at adapting, embracing change, and making the most of everything that came your way.
Among some of the amazing things you have all done during your time here include:
- Won the Skyline championships in two different sports!
- Got research, artwork, and writings published
- Re-visioned admitted students day
- Brought back Sleaze-Ball and Spring formal
- Participated in Amazon Prime’s The College Tour
- Completed senior studios
- Produced and directed films and plays
- Performed dance and music recitals
- Created posters for the sci/math poster symposium
The list could go on, and on... if Ghiyan and I were to share every amazing thing that y’all accomplished in your time here, I fear we’d be here forever.
As we reflected on the past four years to come up with that list, we were filled with a profound sense of gratitude and nostalgia.
If you told me years ago I'd be giving a speech in front of our entire grade, I would've passed out.
But here I am, doing what was impossible to me and gaining the confidence I never knew I had, all because Sarah Lawrence dared me to step out of my comfort zone.
This place has taught us that if you want something you've never had, you gotta do something you've never done. Sarah Lawrence has been our playground for exploration, but we can’t forget about the amazing faculty who've guided us through this journey. They're more than just our teachers; they're family.
So thank you to our dons, who taught us to look beyond the textbook and into the wild unknown of knowledge.
Thank you to the administration for hearing and understanding our concerns.
Thank you campus operations for keeping this school from caving in on us!
Thank you campus safety, for allowing us to feel safe on this campus.
And finally, thank you to our families and friends, who supported us throughout the past four years.
And now, as members of the Sarah Lawrence women’s tennis team, Ghiyan and I have one last thing we’d like to do with you all.
If you could please join us in a gryphons on 3 that would be lovely, Ghiyan, take it away...
Gryphons on 3!
1...2...3 GRYPHONS!
Congratulations class of 2024, y’all slayed!
Remarks as prepared for delivery