Good evening. This is Taylor Johnson, and this is Tookie Graham. And we are the valedictorians of the graduating class of 2009.

Thirteen years have flown by. It seemed like only last month we started pre-school, last week we were leaving elementary school, yesterday we came to high school and now we’re here. We owe utmost thanks to our parents who have guided us along the way. To put it into perspective, parents: you will have created 2,535 lunches, replaced 2 pairs of running shoes a year - one pair we lost, the other we grew out of - paid for 4 textbooks that are still unaccounted for, and heard on average 427 automated absentee phone calls.

“ Your son and/ or daughter has missed one and/ or more classes today… and/ or tomorrow.”

In these past five years at Oak Bay High, the teachers have marked over 6000 tests, the secretaries have generously loaned us over $1,000, the janitors have collected 14 tonnes of our garbage and the administration have tried to keep us on the straight and narrow.

We as a grad class have experienced a great deal over the past years in the school, community and world at large. Where were you on September 11th, 2001? Many of us will have that morning etched into our memory forever. That world event changed all our lives and redefined who we are as a society. With the election of Barack Obama to the White House we again find ourselves in the midst of change, a turning point in our hope for the future. As Canadians, we observe those events around us, and these observations reinforce how fortunate we are to live where we do. We as a group of young people have the opportunity to do anything and be anyone. We are lucky to be members of a privileged culture where people who can do all this without the barriers that many others face. It is a mindset that is valued in our learning community at Oak Bay that has encouraged us to think critically. We should be proud that many of us have given of ourselves, locally and globally, without obligation, to assist others in need. It is this strength to assist others that differentiates us as Canadians… Go Canucks!

At Oak Bay, we have created a community of students and staff who have brought much more to the classroom than simply a curriculum and a desire to learn. Together we have created an environment where it's safe to explore, make mistakes and grow both intellectually and as human beings. We are comfortable here.

We've all had different experiences at high school: some of us came prepared with a group of friends; others bounced around a bit until they found a place to settle. But we have all made it to this day. We are the class that camped in instead of camping out. We have traveled together down paths of adventure, risk, friendship and even a little danger. Even though we are not all the same, nor share the same values, ideas, ways of living, or language, we are a community bonded by this place, this time, and this moment in our lives.

As individuals we have grown from banging pots and pans to playing in the school band; we’ve gone from cheering Thomas the Tank Engine on with “I think I can!” to believing in ourselves with “I know I can!”. We went from singing the ABCs with Sesame Street to writing stories worthy of being published; we’ve run the track instead of running away.

All of us have our own sense of where we want to go or not go from here and in some ways our time in school has informed that. At this point, many of us at least know some of who we are. The experiences we’ve had throughout our school years have helped us decide what we want to be a part of.

We have frequently (and kindly) been offered directions by our families, and we have persistently (and sometimes dramatically) declined them, choosing instead to see things for ourselves, learning from our mistakes while savouring our own personal successes. When we were unsure, we knew we’d been given the tools to deal with whatever life threw at us. Occasionally, we’ve fallen. No, we haven’t always risen in a burst of glory; but we’ve always risen.

We move on to blaze new trails, and as we do, our parents watch on with pride, happiness, fear and maybe a few tears.

Our friends, parents, families, teachers, administrators, counselors, coaches, neighbours, bosses and everyone in between have helped us become whom you see before you today. Your support has been appreciated, even if we don’t always show our gratitude. As we take our first steps into our lives and experiences of the future, I'm sure we will all hear or remember something that was said or done by you. The voice of school counselor Mr. York might whisper in your ear, “Life is not like Peter Pan…You DO have to grow up!” and “The bank of Mom and Dad is closed.” And I know when you heard that for the first time in the assembly, you think… “Ya sure, I know I’m not Peter Pan, move on.” But when we actually get there I think it’s going to hit us and we’re going to realize…”I’m not Peter Pan!” and “The bank of Mom and Dad is closed!”

The history of Oak Bay High has supported us until now, but as of today, our spirits also settle in the halls, setting the stage for others who will come to this place, and will experience this moment in time. This spirit runs deep. Deeper than we might appreciate. My Grandma, she’s a resident of Oak Bay Lodge, her memory is a little fuzzy: sometimes I'm Trevor, that's ok. But as soon as you mention high school … bam! She launches into her high school cheer, which she remembers in detail. Soon, our memories will be the things that occupy our halls.

Now we have the chance to take all we have learned so far into a future that is ours to make real, significant, joyful, fulfilling and inspired to create meaning for each of us. Life is a constant learning experience.

For each of us, let’s hope that whatever we choose from here is exactly where we want to be. It is a time to look within in a very real way and decide what we want to do, and do it well. We are ready, we are able, we have embraced change and disappointment and we are going for it. Know you can!

As we set off, we carry forward the Oak Bay tradition of excellence. When you say “Oak Bay”, we know you’ll be proud of the time you spent here and that you'll be ready to take your place in Oak Bay’s history.

Grads…

Our time here as students has ended.

We are prepared.

The life we choose is about to begin.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you Oak Bay High School’s Graduating Class of 2009.