Page 10 - TMS Observations Magazine ~ 2018 (Flip Book)
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Good afternoon! For those of you #savage. Seeing my bewildered look, you
who don’t know me, I am Nandini. I To Our went on to explain to me that it meant
have had the wonderful opportunity “awesome”, and that you absolutely are.
to be Leo, Tyler, and Michael’s Teacher Graduates Michael, I look forward to seeing you
this year. Though I’ve not had the op- backflip your way onto a podium with an
portunity to know each of them as long Nandini Seetharam, Olympic medal around your neck some-
as some of you in this room have, I am Upper Elementary Lead Teacher day soon.
lucky enough to have had my own share Tyler, you have a quiet demeanor
of special experiences with these boys. (very deceptive, I must say). Beneath that
This is a very bitter-sweet moment quiet exterior lies a super-talented, cre-
for me as I stand here looking at these ative writer and artist. You have a quirky
three young men ready to let go of our sense of humor that comes through in
hands and move on to the next phase of your writing. You have so much to say.
their lives. I want to tell you boys that Your written pieces are like mini manu-
you’ve worked really hard, you’ve had scripts waiting to be discovered by a pub-
many successes and some failures too, lishing company. My heartfelt wish is that
and you’ve had moments of doubt about you’ll be heard world-wide. I hope you
whether you are ready to leave these fa- pursue, and can turn your talent for writ-
miliar faces and surroundings and face ing into a career someday. When your
the unknown. I want you to know that Leonardo Paragarino first book gets published, I’ll proudly
you are well-prepared to face whatever stand in line to get my copy signed by
challenges life throws at you. Believe you.
in your talents, abilities, and self- Speaking of signatures, I do have
worth. Take the path less travelled and to say, I’ve had handwriting woes with
blaze a trail of your own! Yes, you’ll make all three of these young gentlemen—if
mistakes along the way, but know that stereotypes about handwriting are to be
you’ll also learn from them and grow— believed, forget about being a sports-
that is what life is about. Every day is a man or an author, all three of you will
new day and you get to start fresh. make excellent doctors! While I wish I
Leo, you are a natural leader—and had known these boys longer, this past
while you often cringe at being told that, year has truly been special. I’ll miss you
please know it is a gift. I hope you be- all. I would like to congratulate our three
come more comfortable with this qual- graduates, their loving and supportive
ity over the years, as you have a lot to Michael Davenport families, and all the wonderful and dedi-
offer. I have seen your immensely kind cated Teachers who have helped them
side, as well as your die-hard competitive along the way. This is a special day for
side (not to mention the goofy side, and all of us as we celebrate their incredible
the one that can’t stop dancing at all in- journey. Michael, Tyler, and Leo—I urge
opportune moments). Leo, you have the you to take that next step boldly be-
power to change lives, realize that, and cause you decide the direction. Remem-
use your charisma wisely. I wish you ev- ber, the key to all success is self-con-
ery success in life. fidence and self-confidence comes
Michael, I’ll speak in your language. from being prepared. If you never shy
I’m a novice at this, so it is going to be away from working hard, nothing will
#basic. When I first got to know you, I ever seem impossible! I have great hopes
thought you were so serious, but as days for all three of you and wish you the very
went by, I saw a funny, kind, creative boy best in all your future endeavors.
who summarized those qualities as being Tyler James Beery Congratulations, boys, well done!
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