Class of 2018 Tribute
The below speech was given by Student Council President Ally HASSOUN '18 at the Commencement Ceremony on June 7, 2018.
Good evening and welcome. I have had the honor and privilege of serving as Upper School Student Council president for the 2017-2018 school year. Even though I have had all year to plan for this very moment, I never knew how hard it would be. Saying goodbye to a place I have been able to call home for the past 10 years is something I really don’t know how to do properly, this is where I’ve grown up, and it is all I’ve known. However, it is something I must now do, and something we all must now face because things are changing and we are all going on to new journeys.
If you don’t go to Ellis, you really won’t understand what it’s like to be an Ellis girl. Ellis has functioned not only as a school, but as a second home full of people who become your family. It is a place where I have created friendships that I know will last me a lifetime. Everyone knows each other, regardless of if you are in the same grade or classes as them. And even though we are all different, there are some things we will all share, like our love for food.
If you haven’t been trampled in the line during Heritage Day, then you really haven’t fully experienced life as an Ellis girl. Something else that is so unique to Ellis is the close knit community we have all formed, not just with each other, but with our teachers, too. Nowhere else would I be able to run into Ms. Adler’s room and complain to her about how tired I am from my new job, or talk to Mr. Gaddess about how bad the Pens defense looked in that game last night, or ask Mrs. Dotson what shoes would look better with my outfit. They’re always there whenever you need them, even if it’s not for academic reasons.
Ellis is a place that encourages you to be who you are, and teaches you to stay true to yourself, which is something that will help you with the rest of your life. Throughout my time at Ellis, many people have asked me about the all girls experience, and what it means to me. It is because of this all girls environment that I am the energetic, outgoing person that I am today. I have never felt so at ease in any other setting and have grown so comfortable and confident for this reason.
It goes farther than that though, because I learned to speak up, and be proud of my opinions. If you don’t agree with something that is happening, Ellis encourages you to have that tough conversation, and teaches you that it is okay to disagree, which happens quite often here. Because there are so many strong individuals in my class, I found myself in that situation quite a bit, but we were always able to work through the differences, and we became closer because of it.
If you haven’t been trampled in the line during Heritage Day, then you really haven’t fully experienced life as an Ellis girl. Something else that is so unique to Ellis is the close knit community we have all formed, not just with each other, but with our teachers, too. Nowhere else would I be able to run into Ms. Adler’s room and complain to her about how tired I am from my new job, or talk to Mr. Gaddess about how bad the Pens defense looked in that game last night, or ask Mrs. Dotson what shoes would look better with my outfit. They’re always there whenever you need them, even if it’s not for academic reasons.
Ellis is a place that encourages you to be who you are, and teaches you to stay true to yourself, which is something that will help you with the rest of your life. Throughout my time at Ellis, many people have asked me about the all girls experience, and what it means to me. It is because of this all girls environment that I am the energetic, outgoing person that I am today. I have never felt so at ease in any other setting and have grown so comfortable and confident for this reason.
It goes farther than that though, because I learned to speak up, and be proud of my opinions. If you don’t agree with something that is happening, Ellis encourages you to have that tough conversation, and teaches you that it is okay to disagree, which happens quite often here. Because there are so many strong individuals in my class, I found myself in that situation quite a bit, but we were always able to work through the differences, and we became closer because of it.
It isn’t always easy being at Ellis, but the supportive community makes the challenges worthwhile. My classmates are the reason that even on my worst days, I still have a smile on my face and laugh when all I want to do is cry. They are the reason that I actually came to school the day after the caps ended the pens season. And that is why I thank you. My class, the people that I have grown up with, you all mean so much to me. Together we have learned how to write research papers, ask for help when needed, be supportive friends, become leaders, become big sisters, be a part of teams, and most of all, avoid Ms. McLane in the hallway when we were out of uniform.
Our successful and fun senior prank day just goes to show what happens when we all come together and work at something. Even after the long nights full of work and studying, and weeks full of papers and projects, you all were there laughing and talking as if we weren’t the most stressed out we had ever been. You were all there for me this year when I agonized over the details of a dance, and even when I struggled with what to say during this speech. Your constant support has kept me going, and I know that I could turn to any one of you for help and you would be there for me.
You are the reason I will look back on my years at Ellis and smile. You are all going to do such amazing things, and I am so excited to see where your bright futures take you. I also want to thank our teachers for helping us succeed not only in school, but also in everyday life. For understanding, for caring way more than you had to, and for staying those extra hours to help us when we needed it, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate you. Thank you.
Our successful and fun senior prank day just goes to show what happens when we all come together and work at something. Even after the long nights full of work and studying, and weeks full of papers and projects, you all were there laughing and talking as if we weren’t the most stressed out we had ever been. You were all there for me this year when I agonized over the details of a dance, and even when I struggled with what to say during this speech. Your constant support has kept me going, and I know that I could turn to any one of you for help and you would be there for me.
You are the reason I will look back on my years at Ellis and smile. You are all going to do such amazing things, and I am so excited to see where your bright futures take you. I also want to thank our teachers for helping us succeed not only in school, but also in everyday life. For understanding, for caring way more than you had to, and for staying those extra hours to help us when we needed it, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate you. Thank you.
This amazing and unique experience would not have been possible without our parents, the people who made it happen. I often think to myself, what would life be like if I hadn’t met one of you, what would it be like if you hadn’t come to Ellis? Without our families we would have never met, and we would not be standing up here today, and for that, I am so thankful. Being a parent must not be easy, especially if you’re one of mine. Nevertheless, my mom and dad are the two people in my life who have put up with all of my complaints and problems, and who have offered the best advice. I know I always give you a hard time, but I want to say thank you so much for sending me here and being there for me when I needed you the most.
I keep trying to imagine life in a place that has not been my home for years, where people know everything about me, and appreciate me for who I am. It is going to be hard for sure, but I think it is important to always remember, whenever you are feeling lonely, lost, or sad, that you will always have a home here. To Ellis, to the parents, to my class, and to my teachers, thank you for the beautiful years here. I will never forget them. I love you.
Envision Her at Ellis
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