SPEECH: Salutatorian, Annie Lee

Good morning to our esteemed faculty and friends, and my fellow classmates. My name is Annie, Lee, and I am honored to be standing here today as your Salutatorian, Class of 2025.

For those of your who knew me back in middle school, you might remember my bright purple hair -- not as a bold fashion choice, but as a silent plea to be seen and feel special. That need for validation followed me into high school, where I sacrificed sleep, overloaded my schedule, and chased perfection in hopes of proving I was enough. And while that drive brought me here today, for which I am forever grateful, it also made me lose sight of myself; every small misstep felt like failure, and no amount of success every truly felt like enough.

One day, I came across a story. In the Bible, when Mary Magdalene wept outside Jesus's tomb, not realizing he was standing behind her, he asked, "Woman, why are you crying?"

I asked myself the same question -- why was I crying?

Then it hit me: It's okay.

It's okay if I get a bad grade -- my worth isn't defined by numbers.

It's okay if things don't go my way -- there's purpose in the unknown.

It's okay if I fail -- because just like Mary wasn't alone, I'm not either. There are people who love me, who won't leave me, and who will be there to lift me back up.

Each of you holds extraordinary gifts, talents, and abilities, and I know we'll all go on to do amazing things. But true success isn't measured by titles or paychecks -- it's found in the strength of our connections and the bonds we share. So invest and pour into your relationships. Love your family, serve your community, and lift up your friends, because when life gets hard, it won't be the trophies that carry us -- it'll be the people.

On that note, I want to thank some of the most important people in my life that have led me to where I am today.

To my teachers: thank you for pushing us to be our best and for believing in us every step of the way. Ms. Roshokovan - Thank you for being more than a teacher; your support throughout the years meant the world. Mrs. Marx - You were the advisor I didn't know I needed: encouraging, fun, and a joy to work with. Mrs. Eaton-Mercado - Thank you for helping me fall in love with a subject I once dreaded. Your class gave me confidence and a new way of seeing the world.

To my friends: thank you for the memories -- every laugh in the hallway, every chaotic study session before Bio. You've inspired me more than you know and made these high school years unforgettable.

And finally, to my family -- Mom, Dad, my brothers, aunts, uncles, and even my baby cousin -- thank you for being my foundation: for the rides, the prayers, the unconditional support, and all the quiet sacrifices I'll never take for granted.

As I look out at this sea of blue and gold, I see a class defined by resilience. We made it through leaky ceilings in the English wing, bipolar weather in every classroom, and Raider Road traffic that tested everyone's patience. No matter what came out way, we showed up, adapted, and grew.

Let's be honest -- if we can survive all that without losing our minds (completely), we're already winning at life.

Whether you're heading to college, joining the military, or taking time to figure things out -- remember this: your worth isn't found in your resume or achievements. It's found in your heart, your character, and how you love. Even when life doesn't go as planned, you are still enough. You are still loved.

Congratulations, Class of 2025. It's been an honor growing up with all of you. Thank you, and God bless.