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Salutatorian Speech

  Hello everyone. My name is Vivian Hir and I am honored to give the salutatorian speech. I will attend MIT in the fall as a prospective chemical biology major. Before I begin my speech, I would like to thank all teachers in Quarry Lane that have helped me in high school and congratulate all members of this class for their achievements.

Like most classmates, I can’t believe I was the same person four years ago when I entered the school as a shy freshman. When Dr. Pale asked me in biology class about what I wanted to study on the first day of school, my answer was neuroscience. I knew little about neuroscience, which showed that I was clueless in 9th grade. Even though I had no idea which academic subjects interested me at that time, Quarry Lane helped me develop my passion for STEM. From Chemistry Olympiad club sessions to afterschool Science Olympiad projects, these activities made me find beauty in the world of science. What I got from these experiences was a stronger desire to learn more beyond the classroom. This self-transformation would not have been possible without these opportunities and the support from teachers. I want to thank Ms. Pezzi for encouraging me to challenge myself in Chemistry Olympiad. I also want to thank Mr. Hewes for providing me essential advice on how to be an effective leader in Science Olympiad. 

My story of academic growth and development during my time here is not unique. In fact, I have seen this story happen in our class. Whether it is late sessions in the robotics lab or speech and debate competitions in various places, we have emerged from these activities as individuals that are more curious and determined. Our experiences in Quarry Lane not only have provided periods of self-discovery and reflection, but also important moments of emotional and social growth. It is because of Quarry Lane’s tight-knit environment where we fostered close connections, causing us to help one another and find a niche. 

Now that high school will become the past and college will define the next four years of our lives, I will end this speech with a quote by Annie Dillard to guide you in the future. “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” The habits we do every day from watching TV to using smartphones are a reflection of how we live our lives in the long term. Yes, we are only 17 or 18 years old, but that doesn’t mean that we have all the time in the world. All of us are given a limited amount of time and that means we are here on this planet to use it well. Spend more time doing things that truly make you happy and fulfilled instead of things that don’t improve your life. The reason this quote is my favorite one is that by taking this advice to heart early on, we will have fewer regrets in life about the time we lost. 

Thank you for listening and I wish the best for all graduates of the class of 2021.

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