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Looking back on all that we have accomplished as a class, and as individuals, I cannot see how my classmates sitting before me could be anything but leaders. We came to this program as outstanding people already with the support of our teachers and liaisons. Then, with the help of Ms. Ellie, Katrina, Tyrome, and the various people that came and spoke with us, we took from them confidence and skills that we can use for the rest of our lives.
These people were dedicated and shared their knowledge with us because they truly believed that everyone in our class could and would succeed in Common Ground and in life. We were taught five practices of leadership, Modeling the Way, Inspiring a Shared Vision, Challenging the Process, Enabling and Empowering Others, and Encouraging the Heart. Each and every one of us graduating here tonight carried out these practices by laughing, and learning and sharing with each other. We Modeled the Way by knowing our own opinions and setting examples of what we believed was correct, teaching everyone all little bit about ourselves each day. We Inspired a Shared Vision in recognizing the opportunities granted by this leadership program and worked with others to complete all that we had set out to do in activities and community service projects. In Challenging the Process, Class 37 searched for new ways to grow and took risks, knowing that all we had to gain was more knowledge. We Enabled Others and Empowered each other to act by strengthening our bonds and building new relationships. Lastly, we all Encouraged the Heart throughout this program by showing and recognize our own contributions and just by laughing together and learning about one another.
But what we really took away from Common Ground was not written out on any handouts from Ms. Ellie. We took from this program the ability to recognize each other, and in that new sense of knowledge, we made friends, and speechs, and bonds that are fairly unforgettable. As aspiring leaders, we all stepped up to the challenges of this program and surpassed the goals that were set. We, the students of the Class of 37 know how to celebrate our differences, and revel in our similarities, making us that much more prepared for life and leadership roles ahead of us.
W all contributed, and now we can all sit here tonight and be proud of what we accomplished so far, and what we will accomplish in the future. Whether or not anyone here will ever lead a country, we do know now that we are better prepared to lead a school group, or a company, or a community, and then onwards, to bigger and better things.