Here’s a little gift for the grads:

Samantha Barker:

esq, where you at!? right behind me i guess..

philip lach, to k hutch and my boy david tes

straight up sitting in farquad, repping gowns black as night

makin’ errbody jealous cause we look hella tight

grads we’re the champions, no one fresher than us

exploding with knowledge, check the class syllabus

and our extra-curics, should i even say?

we making hawkings and kobe’s work, look like childs play

with artists compared to rembrandt and dali

and athletes begged by uni coaches to play for free

our talents n’er fall short of the nobel prizes

with teachers like ours, that ain’t no surprises

oh sorry, “that isn’t very surprising”

at lunch, there’s no one that snacks quite like we do

in the caf serving up poached quail egg fondue

when we play, esq, goes so far and so hard

trips to greece, river rafting, n’shredding silver star

community involvement, let me give you a tip,

easy as pie, when you join leadership

we’ve got clubs by the dozens, humanities to the arts

and sports teams a plenty, errthing but darts

and when we walk down the street, the whole city be knowin’

cause we flash our smiles, our grills and chains be glowin’

we put on for west side, cause esq’s our home

untouchable, we shine brighter than chrome

Garrett Kryt:

Gone are the days of endless correction

spelling out jurisdiction like another subjection

consistent ascension, numeric retention

these are the tools of graduated invention

with the arrival of maturity

comes billfold obscurity

and problems plaguing like a consumptive injury

Esquimalt I thank you for beneficial incentive

credible objective, and my art class elective

if effort is measured by the hight of the tree

remember we came from a single seed

and though we swirl round like current in the ocean

our different paths are no cause for commotion

because you’re all sitting here, eyes shining like fire

singing Marvin Gaye lyrics like Orpheus’ lyre

So thank you grads your existence is enough

your making devils cower with this thing you call love

Samantha Barker:

so we say adios, as we peace out! e-town

we leave numba one, got the heavyweight crown

and i know for sure, tears will be shed

but don’t look down, keep your heads up instead

the future is bright, so put on your sunny’s

and go save the world, and go get that money

grads, just look at us, what a beautiful sight

we’ll miss you, farewell. good luck and good night.

Garrett Kryt:

Everything has rhythm. From the tiniest parasitic-mite to giant grass grazing mammals, everything moves with an inexplicable rhythm that is all their own. The Esquimalt’s Graduating class of 2009 is no different. Sitting before you is a group of human beings so diverse and different, each graduate reflecting a unique aspect of the elements that define an amazing graduation class from the maws of mediocrity. And what makes these graduates so unique is the one-of-a-kind rhythm that they all follow. Every student keeps the same meter and rhythm with every other Esquimalt Grad, creating a driving force worthy of a percussive afro-beat band. And though you may feel that throughout high school you strived to be different, to create your own rhythm and march to your own tune: it was your individual creativity that truly made the whole song shine. I can say for certain that though you felt out of place in school, lost like the Israelites on the road to the promised land, remember that today you are crossing the stage as a member of the Graduating class of 2009.

Samantha Barker:

We, grads, are an orchestra. The rhythm we manufacture, is a series of vibrations echoing the distinct differences that our class possesses. But we symphony in superlatives. The beauty of what we have accomplished individually reverberates off of every other grad, and we feel that rhythm. If the past four years have taught us anything, it’s that being true to who you are, is the most important factor. The originality underneath each one of the 169 identical black gowns sitting behind me, may not be obvious to those in front of me, but the evidence is not always seen. The cadence we’ve reached was a result of the many completely original accomplishments and challenges each graduate has faced. Our school may thrive off of it’s diversity, but it’s strength lies within the unity of it’s students. Unity through the creation of this genuinely unique rhythm we all follow. Grads, today we say goodbye to not only our school and many of our friends, but to this undeniable connection to the class surrounding us.

Garrett Kryt:

It is important to reflect on your own song that led to your sitting in the chair behind me. Some of us overcame massive obstacles to be able to be sitting behind me, others struggled not with the school work, but instead with untold difficulties not unlike Bernstein’s difficulty with West Side Story or tuning by ear. There is no free ride, and the young adults behind me reflect mature people who have come to terms with their own existence. And while you may feel like you still don’t belong, remember that everyone, and I mean everyone has felt this way dozens of times throughout high school. Just remember that you are graduating, and the people around you are graduating as well.

Samantha Barker:

Esquimalt has allowed every one of us to make countless mistakes en route to finding out exactly who we are. As many wrong notes we may have hit, or out of time we’ve seemed, we’ve always managed to find our place and keep on playing. Today we acknowledge that the last thirteen years have not been spent in vain. As of today we’ve spent about 3,940 days in school, thats close to 23, 640 hours of learning. If that doesn’t entitle us to a piece of paper with our names on it, I don’t know what would. Like session musicians pressed with a deadline, all of the individuals sitting before you have worked tremendously hard to be here. And some of us would readily admit that high school was substantially difficult. That they struggled keeping up with that beat. Others may say it was easier than that, but the point is every graduate sitting before you has earned those seats they’re sitting in. No matter what each of us faced, we have all overcome something.

Our struggles have been our own, but our burden shared.

Garrett Kryt:

I’ll ask now for the graduates to sit for a moment and reflect on your own rhythm that moved you through high school. Open your window-minds and find for me someone who made a difference, someone who helped you to be able to sit behind me. These people are your support group, the people who have worked for you and your benefit to help you achieve your dreams. Think about what these people have done to harmonize and shape your sound, to effect change in you or show you a brighter, more upbeat song. Their efforts are timeless and their effects all-encompassing. For many people the support group is clear in their minds, for others it may become clear in the future. But one thing is for certain, everyone sitting behind me has had someone help them. Be it family member, teacher or counsellor. Make sure at some point you thank these people for their contributions and efforts, they have given because this moment is special for them as well. To see someone you helped achieve their goal is truly moving, and for this I can only say thank you. Say thank you to any teacher who ever gave you advise. Say thank you to any counsellor who showed you the light through the mass of musical notes, or any family member who unconditionally supported you. These are the people who helped you, and today is just as special for them, because today they see their efforts realized. For these timeless contributions, we say thank you.

Samantha Barker:

We’ve reached the end of high school and are now faced with the daunting task of choosing what comes next. Suddenly, we find that familiar rhythm abandoned. We have learned how to carry a tune, but no longer have a tune to carry. Some of us, however, have already decided what comes next, and in less than 3 months will be going on to pursue their respective areas of interest. Others will be setting forth on some of the greatest adventures of their lives. Many, will do both. But for those of you who have not yet found that new sound, just stop. Stop looking. Because the beauty of graduating from high school is that it’s less like an end, and more of a fermata. We’re entering into a great pause, and when you’re ready to keep playing, feel it. Don’t look, feel for that new rhythm that moves you like Esquimalt did.

Grads, we’ve reached the end. The band’s breaking up. And as we part our separate ways, finding new rhythms in new cities, and new schools there are things we’ll unlikely forget. I could endlessly list the things we ought not to forget, but to make it simple I’ll say this; the work: because they don’t just hand out these diplomas to anyone, we’ve gotten to this place for a reason, and let’s face it, it was hard. The drama: unfortunately, it doesn’t end once you leave high school. So chin up, we all know better now. The food: okay, well maybe I just love food. But when will you ever have meals so good, for so cheap again, just appreciate it, you’ll be eating instant noodles sooner than you think. And finally, the friendships. The most unforgettable thing of all. These are the people who got you through high school. Your confidantes, your mates. And as sad as you may feel leaving Esquimalt, know that it is a reflection of the great friendships you’ve kept there.

Garrett Kryt:

So now, truly we say goodbye, goodbye for the last time. Each graduate sitting behind me represents the hope, dreams and faith of someone in front of me. Let these bonds stand as testament to the true complexity and diversity that is Esquimalt high school. I have been told before that the difference between a good band and a great band is not the technicality of the notes or the height of the pitches, but how the band swings. Esquimalt, you swing, and I thank you for this.

Samantha Barker:

Graduates, we’ve reached the final curtain. And as we hear the eruption of applause following, know that we worked this performance. It’s been an honor and a privilege makin’ sweet, sweet music with you. You are an inspiring group of individuals, and I wish you all the best in your lives. Farewell Esquimalt, and thank you for that beat.