Page 8 - JULY 2021 NEWSLETTER

FAIZA GEBI

V A L E D I C T O R I A N - C A N A D I A N F O U N D A T I O N
P R O G R A M M E ( O S S D )
Robert Harold Schuller once
said, ‘tough times never last First, I would like to thank Mrs. A
but tough people do.’ The for envisioning the success of
class of 2021, we have finally the Regent family, for being the
made it! Although I was slightly overwhelmed backbone of what Regent is
sometimes we thought that by the number of people in today, for working hard to make
we would never make it, that the school and the number sure we all have the opportunity
this day was too far away of new faces I came across. to experience the highest quality
and would never come, here Although there were some of education possible. I would
we are celebrating together familiar faces, the new faces like to thank Mrs. Ebiai for
as we enter a whole new significantly outweighed convincing me to switch to this
chapter of our lives that we them. I met people whom I programme as she saw
always knew was coming but thought were quiet and something in me that no one
did not know it was coming calm at first but who else did. Mr. Tim, the Head of
this soon. Over this eventually started to show OSSD; thank you for tolerating
academic year, we have their true colours and that’s all our complaints, questions and
endured so much from exactly why they say ‘Do not general nagging. Mr. Henry, Mr.
having to meet up with judge a book by its cover.’ Monday, Mr. Soji, Mr. Ikonoh and
multiple deadlines, to Mrs. Pauline thank you all for the
having to pay Mr. Tim’s Having been in lockdown support, your belief and
debts as he would always for so long, I was not confidence in my abilities. You,
say: “you owe me,” referring prepared to start answering have all laid a foundation for my
to the assignments we were or asking the typical ‘getting future success. Once again, I
yet to complete. Mr. Tim, I to know you’ questions. So, I thank you.
hope we have successfully often just found myself
paid our debts. If that’s a no, sticking to the people I To my fellow OSSD classmates, I
sorry to say it’s too late now. already knew but eventually, am so proud of us for coming
I started to open up and this far. I remember times we
I am honoured to stand here that’s something I would almost gave up but look at us
as a valedictorian of the never regret doing. As a now, all the hard work has paid
Class of 2021, and I am result, I was able to form off. Last but not least, I would like
humbled to reflect on our tight bonds with amazing to thank my family whose love,
journey and to thank those people in this school, bonds support and nurturing have
who have supported us that will never break. contributed towards my
along the way. achievements and also helped
This speech will not be me become the person I am
This year was a very tough complete if I do not today. I would like to thank my
one to get through. Due to appreciate the people who Grandma who strongly believes
COVID-19 restrictions, the have helped me throughout in the power of education,
first half of term 1 was spent this journey. success and hard work especially
behind our computer for women and my beautiful "13 years of representing the Regent name, be it
screens, at home; joining hard-working mother for
classes half asleep, using supporting and endlessly within the school premises or outside it,
having ‘bad network issues’ motivating me to achieve my
as an excuse to avoid goals and beyond. Without her, I
answering questions, Mr. would not have been where I am 13 years of experience, drive and motivation has
Monday urging us to turn today, thank you mama. built me into the person I am today and paved
on our cameras, which we
never really did. As you can the way for me to achieve things I would have
see, it was a very unusual never thought I was capable of achieving, for
first half term of school.
Although we were doing example, standing on this stage, behind this
virtual classes, for me podium, talking to all of you as valedictorian of
school really started when
we resumed physically on the first set of OSSD students in the history of
the 2nd of November 2020. I The Regent College,
was so happy to be back in
school to actually see my
classmates physically and to 13 years of meeting amazing people along the
actually learn something. I
mean, if we are forced to go way. People that have made and still continue to
to school, then, at least, let’s make a significant impact in my life - I do not
do it properly.
know what I would do without my friends,
teachers and principals,

13 years of being a part of this wonderful
institution, being a part of the Regent family."

Thank you.