SPEECH: Valedictorian, Prisha Khuchanmandi

Good morning friends, family, esteemed faculty, and most importantly, NBTHS's Senior Class of 2025. Welcome. We never thought this day would come.

It still doesn't feel real to be standing here, in front of all of you, on this day we've been imagining for so long. We prayed for its quick arrival, anxiously crossed days off our calendars, counted the hours, minutes, an seconds, and now that it's here, I almost wish it wasn't. Because this day means leaving behind friends who inspire us, teachers who have guided us, and a school that even with the gas leaks, freezing classrooms, and fire alarms because of a toaster over left on in the teacher's lounge, has shaped our lives in unforgettable ways.

Not a single one of us here today has done it alone. We are all a patchwork quilt of the people who challenged us, loved us, or told us we could do it, even when there was absolutely no proof of that. I wouldn't be standing up here today without the guidance of so many people. To my parents, thank you for your unwavering support. To my sister and cousins, thank you for putting up with me and for your endless patience. To my friends, you know who you are, and I cannot put into words how grateful I am for each one of you. To all of my teachers, Mr. Schmoll, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Werner, and Mrs. Eaton-Mercado, thank you for being my mentors through this incredible journey.

I imagine each of your high school journeys has been nothing short of a roller coaster. You've worked and struggled and sacrificed and studied and dreamed your way here today. While we are united as NBTHS's graduating class of 2025, a common starting point for us all, each graduate took a different path to get here, and each of us is heading somewhere different next, whether it be college, trade school the military, or something else entirely. No matter where you're headed, there's one lesson that I hope you'll take with you.

I'm a big advocate for not hiding our excitement for the things we care about. It seems to me that there is an odd stigma around being eager, in our culture of unbothered ambivalence. This outlook perpetuates the idea that caring is something to be embarrassed about, while being indifferent or nonchalant is more admirable. But, throughout these past four years, I've never met someone of accomplishment or a role model that sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.

Never be ashamed of trying. Effortlessness is a myth, and life deserves to be lived to the fullest. So, never hide your enthusiasm for what you're passionate about. Let it show. If you care about something deeply, say so. If you dream big, let that be known.

How will you know if you're doing it right? You won't. And how could I possibly stand up here and give advice to this many people about their life choices? I won't. What I do know is that the road ahead will be difficult. We will make mistakes. We will get things wrong. Nevertheless, we will recover, we will learn from it, and we will grow more resilient as a result of it.

As you embark on the next phase of your life, remember that it looks different for everyone. The people around you will end up being doctors, educators, CEOs, innovators, and leaders. No matter where life takes you, I hope that you continue to lead with integrity, stay true to yourself, and carry the lessons from NBTHS with you. Thank the people that contributed to your journey here, but most of all, thank yourself, and the MVP, Chat GPT.

Just kidding! It is your hard work and dedication that have led you to this achievement, and if you don't hear it, I am beyond proud of every single one of you here today. North Brunswick Township High School's Class of 2025: best of luck and congratulations!