As a freshman at the Ellis homecoming dance I was talking to a very cute, very single, and very Jewish boy. While conversing with him he informed me that Ellis girls were not normal. As a 14 year old girl I may have been a tad distraught about this, but looking back on it now, I realize he was right. It does not take a dictionary definition to know that normal means average and common, words that do not describe the class of 2013. Our class has accomplished a lot. Many girls volunteer at the library, spend time with children with autism, or are on the Andy Warhol Museum’s advisory board. Various seniors balance a rigorous academic schedule while also learning how to navigate in the working world. It was the seniors in this class who led the lacrosse team to be first in their section with one senior who stepped up for her team and became goalie when they needed one. A girl in our class created a books on tape library while fellow classmates supported her by recording tapes for the library. Our class has collegiate athletes, published authors, and talented musicians. Our class is active in the community whether it is instituting a composting system in the school bathrooms or raising awareness about Syria. A senior took on the challenge of directing a school play and with the help of many other seniors a fantastic play was produced. All of this was accomplished while also meeting all the academic standards that Ellis sets.

It makes sense that an Ellis girl isn’t normal due to the fact she does not receive a normal education. If you haven’t noticed there aren’t any boys in our class and this is a trend throughout the whole school. Having an unconventional high school experience was fine by me because I lived vicariously through the brilliance of John Hughes. I took the day off with Ferris Bueller, broke social boundaries with the breakfast club, and did a major favor for a geek in Sixteen Candles. And though I love these movies, I would not trade those experiences for the memories and friends I have made here at Ellis. Where else can you find a group who is assigned brown for color wars, yet decorates the school in black. We are a class who enjoys celebrating. Besides enjoying Ellis’ traditional heritage day we participated in nugget day and chain a fool day. We appreciate a good time in between the stresses of school. Be that playing with water crystals, creating a flashmob for the semi-formal dance, or having a better time walking the streets of Stratford looking for the bus than actually finding it. We also appreciate fine cuisine. We created the Mega Munchin Mondays club, a club dedicated to making food in the shape of animals, non-vegetarians will enjoy a classic bonbon burger, I know Leah really likes double fisting the pretzels in Ms. Sturdevant’s room, and no one, I mean no one, can turn down anything made by Mrs. Rosenthal. We are a competitive bunch. Seven seniors slaved over the oven and or Costco shelves to feed practically the entire upper school just to fulfill a history assignment, which was worth it, because their efforts led to Whosawatzis win. And whenever we see the fourth grade play we always comment on how it was good, but it wasn’t nearly the quality of Peter Pan. We’re a group who during freshman initiation preferred to embarrass ourselves more than the newcomers by dressing up like boys. I don’t know of any other art studio filled with artists having such strong fake contempt for one another. And I don’t know of any other school where you can snapchat your art history teacher for bonus points or watch teachers dance in a choreographed manner to Forever by Chris Brown. All in all we have had some priceless memories here.

What makes our class special is how we all get along so well. No matter what random grouping of classmates are in the nook, we can always manage to be told we are making too much noise. You can take a group of students whose commonality is the same math level, yet they can bond over a screenprint of Carl’s face and the difference between graph paper and paper with graphs on it. Or an arbitrary group of freshmen from the class of 2013 who all signed up for lawn games, yet became a linked group over their new found love of croquet. Because we have created such a tight knit community I have a good feeling we will keep in touch after graduation. Even if you don’t think you will, I’m sure Tova will contact you with a picture of someone she met at college or in Israel who looks just like you.

So if you can’t tell already I think my class is awesome. If you’re looking for someone to hire, may I suggest one of the young women on stage. Our class has not only achieved a lot, but has overcome a lot as well. They don’t let us get our diploma easily. We have written countless papers, solved hundreds of problems, and spoken foreign languages. Our work ethic is incredible. It was the constant support by our fellow classmates that allowed us to succeed. I can’t imagine school without you ladies next year. Who will I be able to reminisce with about our hilarious past, who will understand and tolerate my sarcasm, and who will always be there to help and support me. I know a lot of you feel you don’t hear this enough so let me assure you that you all are exceptional and have made a big impact on the school. For those loved ones listening, the young women here on stage are superb and know that you are lucky to have them in your lives, because I know I am lucky to have them in mine. There is no other group I would have rather gone through the last four, if not thirteen years with.