Page 343 - Yggdrasil 2023

Graduation Reflection Speech by Alexandra Azan ‘23
Good Evening Sr. Taylor, the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Gillingham-Rivas, Mr. Coyle, Mrs.Freerick-Hillenbrand, faculty, staff, family, and undeniably the MOST courageous and confident Class of 2023.
We are the 60th graduating class and the largest - 86 - and although this reflection is about our class; it is also about the individuals who comprise it. It is about how each of us is woven into the fabric of who we have become as women of the Sacred Heart. So, bear with me as I try to honor both the unique women and the beautiful Class of 2023.
Whether we joined Carrollton at 3, 7, or 15 years old, a significant part of our days has been spent around the oak trees at the center of both campuses. Under those oaks, we learned that St. Rose Philippine’s surname, Duchesne, translates to “heart of oak” and this is what our Sacred Heart education has made us: women with “hearts of oak” - courageous, determined, steadfast.
Our roots, planted by our parents and families, were nourished by the Goals and Criteria, which we absorbed through the ever-present words and examples of our teachers. Beginning with
our time in the Montessori and Primary schools which nurtured the budding of our personalities and our story as a class. I remember introducing Nicolette to our pink glitter pencil cases, Julietta telling adventure stories, and all of us thinking Chloe was a leprechaun when her hair turned green in the pool. We began to know each other, trying not to giggle at Marissa during nap time and watching Annabella achieve the impossible in 3rd grade. Caro Ruiz’s pigtails sparked
cheer, Gala’s smile and large hair bows manifested our glee, and Maria Jouvin’s two missing front teeth were a testament to our changing bodies and minds. We fought on the playground and made up the next day, while Izzy and Victoria Mestre showed us how to play Winx Club and Val amazed us (and still does) with her horseback riding. Our unfiltered laughter and newly formed friendships allowed us to explore who we were through shared love and faith. As friendships formed, were broken, and formed
again, we walked out of our childhood cottages to join the community within the Pink Castle.
Our skorts that had become jumpers now became skirts, and the Intermediate School brought on new challenges and relationships. I vividly remember Gracie and Broghan joining us on our journey and starting cross-country with Nina. As our roots stretched wider and deeper, we reached higher. Life seemed so possible that even Ms. Kovak’s claims of catapulting Livy into the bay seemed like they could become reality. We began to understand the meaning of courage and confidence, like how Isa Polit never gave up on the Mustangs soccer team and how Andrea showed us a new and interesting hobby every day. We explored new places, slept under the stars at the Kennedy Space Center, and allowed ourselves to envision what life could be like when we grew up. Cami Mallo wanted to be a doctor (and will be), Paulina wanted to be a lawyer (and is going to the Air Force), Isa Hassun wanted to be a movie star and is going to be an entrepreneur, and Juli wanted to be a snail but eventually found her way to a love of Biology with Mrs. Kreh. Our imaginations extended beyond the
boundaries of the possible. We wanted to join the world, without understanding that we had so much more to grow.
And so, we started Junior High. I don’t know if I can say the same for my classmates, but this was a tough one for me. However, every challenge was faced with the love of my class and the laughter we shared. Somehow Cata managed to create a cheese touch game that lasted for two weeks and tried to convince us that her ancestor was one of the Three Kings. We sang, and still sing, pitch-perfect songs in the middle of class. It was also at this point that we realized we could help each other. Ceci Swain made us feel loved, Dani helped us learn to let go and have fun, and Drue was open-hearted and supportive. Our minds were formed by the ideas of Shakespeare, solving equations, and counting hundreds of anoles. We grew with each other in the wilderness
at Pathfinder when Gabi Mestre helped my team balance on a platform; when Gaby Ferrer successfully used the pulleys to climb a tree: and when Cristina and Caro Delpino tried to keep me from falling out of a canoe. We were not alone - our roots were connected. At the same time, we began to recognize that we could be ourselves while growing together. During these formative years, our love for each other and our understanding that we are a beloved of God strengthened into what each of us needed for what came next - the Upper School.
On our first day, our unsure legs carried us into the Convocation Center, and we came to the daunting realization that this was it. From this moment on the countdown toward white dresses, 12 red roses, and a diploma was real. Reality was also gaining more than 20 new friends and refining our ability to meet new people and try new activities. Rebe showed us her wit, Alex showed us just how far and fast she could swim, Marina showed us that there are angels on earth, and Nati Reed showed us her commitment and kindness. In the hallways, we were awed by Katie and Gaby LDC’s art, by Zoya’s eyes surrounded by glittery gems, and by Oli Torre’s rare earrings framed by her hair. We grasped that God had given each of us something - that we each had something within ourselves - that no one else could do, could be.
We also created unforgettable memories. Not one of us can hear the song Gasolina without thinking of Sofo. I cannot see a small orange car without thinking it's Stephanie, I cannot imagine a math class without Ava Candib and Annia smiling in front of me, and I cannot think of a lunch period without Roma saying something I find hilarious. Even the quieter moments made powerful memories like my whispered conversations with Paloma during fire drills, Elena always including me and my friends, and Angeliki helping me to feel so excited to attend college. Memories of our growing confidence. Whether it was Viola belting her heart out for Orlando Mendez, Brielle Brennan sharing her ideas in my Dialogos group, or Brielle Bales becoming the queen of Soul Cycle. Memories of our growing support for each other, watching Valeria and Gigi lead the Model UN, cheering Bella as she broke school records, supporting Trav while she led her team to a District Championship, and listening to Sofia Casado or Elly Molina make an insightful analysis about horizons and our dreams. Dreams that reached out into the future telling us that we would be visiting Ana’s medical office, asking Gabi Eche to do our taxes, and sending our kids to Mariana’s dental practice. Our time here has created friendships that will transcend the grounds of Carrollton. Friendships defined by Kaia’s impromptu comedy shows, Isa Cruz’s outrageous laugh and retired gossip girl account, and Cami Garity the queen of casseroles. Of erupting in applause when Amanda said “here” during attendance after the Conge set up, of Isa Oliva raising her hand 200 times in one class, of Kate’s freckles and warm hugs, of Ali and Sofi Eljaiek’s dancing skills during assembly, of Katia and Vale Gomez’s math prowess, of Ava Hornbacher’s astrological affirmations, and of musicals with Mila, and Emi, and Kennedy, and Mia Gonzalez del Valle.
We faced a global pandemic, heartbreak, and a world so full of chaos that sometimes it felt overwhelming. And we did this all together. Whether in grief or celebration, St. Madeleine Sophie’s often-repeated war-cry, courage and confidence, became clear. For what is love without the courage needed to use it? What is love without the confidence needed to make it known to each other? To show the world that despite the difficulties we face, we choose to love. We choose to be women of faith. As illustrated by Mia Rodriguez’s constant hugs, Pauline’s singing during mass, Ceci Pino’s belief in the power of prayer, and Nana’s talk during the Senior Retreat.
Now Caritas Vincit Omnia - Love Conquers All - are no longer words inscribed on a ring, they are values ingrained into the fabric of our reality. A love story carved into the bark of our trees. Values we will take with us and share with the world. I hope you share your genius and your grace with those around you just as Nati Leach, Michelle, and Isa Fernandez do every single day. Like Sofi Tomas always making me smile, Geri calming her friends down, and Vale Villegas making sure that her Instagram caption is not too cringy. Just as Sarah did by building a Meditation Grotto, as Rebecca Rodriguez did by expressing true delight on the dance floor during prom, and as Victoria Toledo did by leading the Upper School with laughter and poise.
Share yourselves like our teachers share their passion. Faculty, thank you for caring for us every single day. We won’t forget your lessons, and more importantly, we will remember the way you treated us with such sincere empathy, love, and pride. We were blessed to have you in our lives.
Share your love like our parents do - unconditionally, exuberantly, gladly. Our parents, our first protectors, always nurturing and supporting us. We are eternally grateful. We are so excited for you to see what we can achieve.
Our story so far is only a prologue bound with strings of purple, green, blue, and pink. But a prologue is the only information we need to begin - so let us go and compose our own narratives. Finding our own way, standing tall and strong with HEARTS of OAK.
Class of 2023, I ask you to join me - 86 united one final time - in the prayer we first learned under those oak trees, and that has guided us as we became the women of the Sacred Heart who sit here today.
Caritas Vincit Omnia. I love you all. Thank You.