Class of 2017 Tribute
The below speech was given by Class President Pallavi MULUK ’17 at the Commencement Ceremony on June 8, 2017.
In the last few months, during the mountain of reflection that college applications require and extended periods of time that a third term high school senior inevitably spends trying to avoid real responsibilities, I’ve often found myself wondering what my life would have been like if I hadn’t come to Ellis 6 years ago.
I think it’s fair to say that certain parts of my identity would have been the same. I would still work hard and do what I had to do fulfill my goals, I would still respect my elders and love my friends like family, I would still drink too much tea and coffee, and I would most definitely still depend on Vaseline for my survival.
However, if my reflection made me sure about anything it is this: there are 30 reasons why coming to Ellis has made me nearly everything I am today and those reasons are sitting right over there to my left, the class of 2017.
My job today is seemingly simple: talk about the class of 2017. Now if we were a normal senior class at a normal school, this might be easy. I could make some vague, profound statements about how we’ve finally made it to graduation day and how this day marks the end of an era but the beginning of the rest of our lives because in normal schools, you tend not to know the entire life stories of each of your classmates. But this is certainly not a normal school and we as a class are so far from “normal” that it would be offensive to even try to pretend. So, when I sat down to write this speech, I knew it had to be something more. Not something life changing or heart wrenching, but rather something genuine, something honest. Because that is the only kind of speech that could ever do justice to my 30 siblings over there to whom I owe so much of who I am. So with that in mind, here is the story of the class of 2017 and how they have changed my life.
When I first came to Ellis in 6th grade, I did not talk. I think a lot of my classmates actually considered the possibility that I didn’t know how to speak. At home, my parents could not get me to shut up but at school I was shy, reserved, and intimidated by the years of history my classmates already shared with one another. I thought I was limited and that I was just meant to remain in the background. But now, 6 years later, I am standing at this podium speaking on behalf of my entire class, something that 6th grade me never imagined possible, in front of a crowd of a lot more people than I would like to think about right now, and it is because of the lessons I have learned from this class.
Number 1: Be yourself
When I think about what “being yourself” even means, which for most of us is a rather difficult concept to understand, I think about Emma Trimbur on the homecoming dance floor, I think about Maura O’Connor with her locker literally overflowing with paint-covered clothing, I think about Jessica Jones and her clear raincoat, and of course I think about Eleanor Yaruss’ bright yellow car which by the way is named “Yelleanor” (which I hope makes you as happy as it makes me). I like to think about it this way: if you conducted an experiment in which you spent 30 days hanging out with each member of the class of 2017 individually and compared and contrasted the experiences, not one day would be remotely the same.
When I think about what “being yourself” even means, which for most of us is a rather difficult concept to understand, I think about Emma Trimbur on the homecoming dance floor, I think about Maura O’Connor with her locker literally overflowing with paint-covered clothing, I think about Jessica Jones and her clear raincoat, and of course I think about Eleanor Yaruss’ bright yellow car which by the way is named “Yelleanor” (which I hope makes you as happy as it makes me). I like to think about it this way: if you conducted an experiment in which you spent 30 days hanging out with each member of the class of 2017 individually and compared and contrasted the experiences, not one day would be remotely the same.
Number 2: Live with Courage
What is courage if not Ada Wang and Izzie Dai who left everything they knew, including their families, and traveled across oceans in order to get an education? But a new continent didn’t stop them from forging their own identities. In Izzie, you’ll find a beautiful artist who can do things with a paintbrush that really makes you wonder why she’s not world famous yet. And Ada, well I like to think of her as the trier of all things as throughout the years I’ve seen her in the glee club room, on the stage, as a workshop leader for culture jam, and all with a truly impeccable sense of fashion. What is courage if not Nyjah Cephas who spends her free time speaking out against institutional racism? And of course, what is courage if not Eli Savage, who through artistic masterpieces addresses facets of gender and sexuality that so many are unable to face? You see, it was impossible for me not to learn the meaning of courage with such bravery around me every day.
What is courage if not Ada Wang and Izzie Dai who left everything they knew, including their families, and traveled across oceans in order to get an education? But a new continent didn’t stop them from forging their own identities. In Izzie, you’ll find a beautiful artist who can do things with a paintbrush that really makes you wonder why she’s not world famous yet. And Ada, well I like to think of her as the trier of all things as throughout the years I’ve seen her in the glee club room, on the stage, as a workshop leader for culture jam, and all with a truly impeccable sense of fashion. What is courage if not Nyjah Cephas who spends her free time speaking out against institutional racism? And of course, what is courage if not Eli Savage, who through artistic masterpieces addresses facets of gender and sexuality that so many are unable to face? You see, it was impossible for me not to learn the meaning of courage with such bravery around me every day.
However, self-expression and courage can only reach their full potential if they are bolstered by a strong foundation of compassion. Which brings me to number 3: act with compassion. I learned compassion from Taylor Brown’s daily hugs and world class smile. I learned compassion from Abby Stubenhofer’s singular sense of humor which she uses every day, usually at the expense of her own dignity, to ensure that everyone else around her is happy before she even thinks about herself. I learned compassion from Maddie Daily who sees only the best in other people and makes it her mission to make sure everyone knows how amazing they are. I learned compassion from Zoe Papernick who taught me the simple power of kind words in tough situations.
Not one of the lessons I have mentioned so far can be learned overnight; they take persistence and perseverance. To me, perseverance is Maya Milch running the marathon on Sunday and then taking an AP and playing a lacrosse game on Monday. Perseverance is Erika Amemiya achieving the highest levels of scholarship while also dedicating herself fully to dance. Perseverance is Tillie LaBranche with her cello and her pure zeal to fulfill her potential. Perseverance is Allie Papernick attending exhausting crew practices almost every day despite the Ellis workload. Perseverance is Kaley Forester looking at her summer workout calendar for college and not running the other direction. And perseverance is Abby Busis running yearbook meetings every Saturday morning no matter how busy she had been the previous week. Whether they see it or not, when I look at my class, I see a sheer force of willpower and dedication.
In my opinion, the senior lounge is probably where the senior class most frequently reveals their true nature. For one thing, we had ants by the second day of school—and I have a feeling the perpetual platters of sugary foods on our center table and our self-proclaimed cake weeks didn’t help this problem. I walked in once and saw a backpack and all of its contents cerran-wrapped. And you actually have to wonder if something is wrong if you walk into the lounge and you don’t see someone lying on top of someone else. However, I think my favorite part of the senior lounge are the very loud, very questionable conversations which, without context and most of the time even with context, really make you wonder how any of us have friends. But this charisma and boldness is what makes the class of 2017 who they are.
When I think boldness, I think about Taylor Robinson and how she manages to make at least 10 friends at science fair every year before I talk to one person. I think about Janay Giles and the fact that has a job at state farm and plays gigs with her band on the side. I think about Leah Berman Kress and the fact that as a high school junior, she essentially organized Mrs. Dotson’s wedding. To learn boldness, I looked to Miranda Jones and the confidence and sass with which she asserts all of her opinions. I looked to Courtney Baldwin’s incredible sarcasm and her refreshing honesty in every situation. And of course, how could I not look to Jordyn Tomlin and her incredible willingness to take risks whether it be in Nepal or on the Ellis stage.
I hope you understand by now how much respect I have for my friends. But I think what makes me respect them the most is that despite their greatness and their potential, they overflow with humility. And really, this is where their true greatness lies.
Humility is Erin Delaney who is a musical genius but never says a word about it. Humility is Madeleine Mortimer who never mentions her own accomplishments despite the fact that she is an athlete, a scholar, and a musician. Humility is Meredith Scherer who has dedicated countless hours to building sets but is never anywhere near the front when it comes time for role call. Humility is Luka Pierce who makes sure that everyone has a chance to speak before she takes a turn. Humility is Katie Brandegee who has never asked for an ounce of recognition for the challenges she overcomes every day and who will go to the ends of the earth for her friends.
And there you have it: the 30 members of the class of 2017 who are held together by confidence, courage, compassion, perseverance, boldness, and humility in a bond of love that only comes around once or twice a lifetime, the type of love that isn’t confined to these hallways or this building but that follows you like a shadow reminding you never to lose yourself, the type of love that makes you believe that you can actually do anything.
Thank you, class of 2017 for being my family and making me who I am today. I knew from the tears that started at the end of junior year when I was giving my speech to run for class president that this year would be intensely emotional. However, I underestimated just how hard it would be to say goodbye. So I won’t, because I don’t think that would end well for anyone. Instead, I’ll say this. There is no one else I would rather have spent my high school years with. You are all so weird in the most beautiful and incredible way. Never change who you are. Never compromise what you believe. And never forget that your potential is infinite.
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