Maggie Frampton

I know it seems stressful as we start to recognize the classes and credits we will need to make it into college. But I am here to assure you that those tasks are not significant to worry nor stress about. As Graland would say, “embrace your experiences.” This is an opportunity to live and enjoy our time with our friends. 

Before we move forward into our high school years, I would like for us as a whole to recognize the people and efforts that were made to make our lives more manageable. And let’s be honest, we are an exhausting grade to manage.

First of all, I would like to thank Nurse Megan. She has done an amazing job helping the medical board and making sure we can all safely be in school. This year, I have been very impressed with Nurse Megan’s determination and perseverance in assuring parents of any questions they have had in relations to Covid-19. Earlier in this year, my mom had lots of questions relating to my symptoms and covid tests. She once had to text Nurse Megan at 11 at night and Nurse Megan responded within minutes. She has taught me to make an effort to assure others.

I would also like to thank the cleaning staff. Throughout the year, the cleaning staff has made an enormous effort to keep our school sanitary. This has enabled us to stay in in-person school for the majority of the year. I think we can all agree it’s important to recognize their enormous efforts along with many other Graland staff members who have kept things going under changing circumstances, all year long. Thank you all so much for all of your determination and efforts.

Finally, I would like to thank the 8th-grade teachers and their efforts to make this school year feel normal. They have reorganized many 8th grade activities like the Civil Rights trip and our capstone projects. This year, these projects were changed to pandemic safe activities. The Civil Rights trip became an online deep dive and the Capstone project was changed into a proposal to investors. This has taught us how to look at things from a positive perspective and to take advantage of our opportunities.

Here we are, not in middle school, nor high school but instead a threshold. As we find ourselves here, we can reflect on our middle school careers but also look to the near future and see the opportunities coming our way. 

Tomorrow we will end our Graland careers and start our new lives as high schoolers. We will not be remembered for specific events, or challenges we have overcome, but we will be remembered for our relationships and how we have presented ourselves. Our impressions on people will become our legacies. 

After this summer, we will head to high school. There we will use the lessons we have learned from Graland to become excellent high school students. This is our chance to reset and grow into the adults we want to become. As you enter high school, remember that the legacies you leave with will be as memorable as the ones you leave with tomorrow from Graland.

Here we are, one day away from graduating. Let’s savor these final moments we share as a grade. I would like to thank everybody for an amazing Graland career and I will remember and miss you greatly. As we go our separate ways, I wish you all the best. Thank you and congratulations to the Graland class of 2021!