Graduation Speech: Ansel Parker Elementary School

“Well?” Rudy panted, bending down and placing his hands on his knees. “I was being Jesse Owens.” He answered as though it was the most natural thing on earth to be doing. There was even

“I was super nervous” says Davis. As her and her fellow choir members were waiting to go on stage.The Westover Junior High choir were performing for the first time. “ It’s nerve racking because you never know if you will or someone else will mess up and then the whole choir could go down.” adds Davis. Mrs. Daniels finished her intro it was time for the big moment. “We walk onstage just like we practiced the day before.” explains Davis. The bright lights hit their faces as

“Guess I don’t need to watch Hamilton now, I’m living it,” he thinks, and an almost hysterical laugh breaks through. Unnerving the kid, who is still frozen in place, but screw that kid anyway. Rafael couldn’t care less that the kid’s face is gradually paling- about the same rate as Rafael’s own skin, funnily enough- as comprehension dawns on

The rest of the class pours in and sits in their respective seats. Everyone's talking except for Wyatt who's on his phone and I who are in a comfortable silence. Mr. Henderson walks in, muttering to himself about something. He slams his large fists on the podium in the center of the class. Everyone jumps.

"He's proud wherever he is," Sable answered softly, pulling Charlie from her thoughts and back to the stage as Eric took it. She watched with held breath, curious and fascinated. The last place she ever expected to find any of her coworkers was Dante's. Sharing this side of herself, this side of him seemed like they were skipping over the awkward office talk and diving right into the realm of first or second date material, third or fourth months given the topic of tonight's

“Lovino-my friend, the more you stare at them won’t make you feel any better, trust me I know that all too well” the green eyed, tan man, Antonio said as he lightly put his hand on Lovino's shoulder. The dark brown haired boy was fuming, he was literally snorting like a bull, that is how angry he was.

“They haven’t spoken much since they got here, but I’m pretty sure they speak Spanish. The keys are behind a secret panel in the cell across from me, kick the bottom row of bricks until one moves.”

Miguel was standing outside of the theater, dressed in black slacks and a back shirt with a bright blue tee shirt underneath. She wore black jeans, an open black blouse with an orange tee shirt. The congruence was unbelievable, and the smiles on their faces was blinding.

His self-esteem grows and he becomes more independent in his thinking and feelings. He is told that his original piece will be performed at the annual concert in the park and that he will be conducting it. The school believes he has become a master of music and they treat him as such.

“What is going over here?” says the teacher, the kids stay quiet, even Margo. The teacher

He continues to say,

The whole cast begins to "awww" and begins holding each other's hands. The next lesson is about the cast taking chances and getting ourselves out of our comfort zone. He encourages each and everyone of us to allow ourselves to be pushed into our challenge zones. The goal is to feel accomplished but the decision we made

“Really?” said Anna, I thought it was pretty easy. Do you need some help?” “If you don’t mind, that would be great,” answered Omar.”

“You practically flailed,” Louis interrupts him, once he’s gained enough composure to stand up straight, “Solid performance, I would say,”

The backstage door opens and we all walk onto the stage. Mr. H is up at the front of the stage telling us all to be quiet. As I am walking in, I notice how huge the Belchertown auditorium is. The rows and rows of seats must mean that a lot of students attend this school.