Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Valedictorian Speech - School Graduation Ceremony

There was fantastic speech given by our valedictorian from 4E1, Daniel Lee and this is a tribute to it:

"It has been four years, and for some of us, five since we first entered this school. Many, many things have happened since then, as we learned how to be gentlemen, scholars, sportsmen, leaders and most importantly a Man for others.

In these past years, Montfort Secondary School has created many opportunities for us to learn these outside of the classroom. One such example would be the trip we made to Perak, Malaysia last year. In learning the history and geography of the state, we were scholars. Trekking and white-water rafting gave us opportunities to be sportsmen and making our way through the challenging caves helped us develop leadership qualities. In our interaction with the locals and tribesmen, we learnt to be the perfect and chivalrous Montfortian gentlemen.

However, all these experiences would not have been made possible without the help of our dedicated teachers and unceasing efforts to guide us through the labyrinth of our journey through school. Not only did they guide us through our lessons but they also put up with our eccentricities, our teenage pranks and of course our endless complaints. Despite their heavy schedules, they made the time to help us. At this juncture, on behalf of all the Montfortian gentlemen present here, I would like to thank all the Form teachers and our Subject teachers for their care, guidance and given to us and not forgetting their infinite patience and tolerance.

What does the future hold for each on of us after we leave Montfort? Is there a future minister among us today, or a billionaire entrepreneur or perhaps another Archbishop? I stand here today full of dreams and hopes that mine will be a bright and fulfilling one. While I cannot see what lies ahead, I am confident that Montfort has prepared us well for the challenges that we will face in our future. Long after we have forgotten differentiation in A Maths, we will be able to differentiate between good and evil, wisdom and folly. And these are what will stand us in good stead when life becomes too complicated or too weary, so that we may constantly strive to be a Man for others.

But now let me turn back to where we are now and what we can do here and now. My fellow Montofrtians , let us use these coming national exams, whether they be our O level or N level exams, as a way to for us to show our gratitude and appreciation to our teachers. Let us show our teachers that all their teaching and our efforts will not go to waste; let us put in that last burst of strength and conquer the exams, so that we can be proud of ourselves, knowing that we have done our best.

Age quod aqis. Thank you."