Page 47 - Grundtvig International Secondary School Yearbook 2019

2019

VALEDICTORY SPEECH SIX YEARS OF SELF DISCOVERY

our mistakes and I hope we've learnt our lessons. Now as we go into the world,
we are to be the light that shines in the dark. We are about to begin a new phase
of life. So whatever you do, before you even do it, think very carefully about
the aftermath. Do not take decisions that would leave you with regrets. Do not
be selfish or money-driven. Uphold the very fairest of values and try your very
possible best to contribute positively to the society. Live a life which when at
the point of death, you will be proud to say 'I have done my very best and I have
put up a good fight.' Make the 'when I was your age, I was very productive and
focused' that you plan to tell your child true.

Never be jealous or envious of the success of someone else. You will only end
up making mistakes and taking decisions that may leave you with regret. Learn
to love and help all you come into contact with. Please, do not live a boring life
filled with work. Give yourself times to relax and enjoy without derailing. Live
a very productive and happy life.

I do not want to bore anyone with a very long speech and I do know that we
have other things to do. So I'd like to draw the curtain here. But before I do, I
want to really appreciate the entire Grundtvig family-academic and non-
academic staff and other students- for caring for and being a part of the success story of the class of
2019. I especially want to appreciate Mr. Okolo, Mrs. Rita, Mr. Rudolf Ndange, Mr. Enekwechi, Mr.
Iloka ,Miss. Nnoli, Mr. Nwutara, Mrs. Ijeh, Mr. Ayo and Mr. Kolawole, Mrs. Okafor, Mr. Timothy, all
the laboratory attendants, cleaners, cooks, spiritual directors, security officers , et cetera for keeping
our life in balance. My gratitude also goes to the administrative team who has always been very
supportive of us. From, the very first day to this minute, you all have always put us first. You have
never failed to correct us whenever we derailed, irrespective of our thoughts. You have immensely
contributed to what we are and will be in the future. We are really grateful to you for this. May I also
use this opportunity to especially thank some of my classmates who have made my stay, as well as
those of everyone in the 2019 set, memorable: Jason, Kene, Chidubem, Bill, Chimdindu, Mark-
Williams, Chikamso, Ursula and a host of others. You all have immensely imparted my life in multiple
ways. May I point out too, that I am standing here today, not of my own making, but by the special
grace of God and the support that I have directly and indirectly got from you, my friends. You have
utterly been the very best of friends that I have ever had. I really valued the moments when we laughed
and the times when we got angry at each other. You all have been very supportive of me and I wouldn't
be here without you. We are all valedictorians: I'm just doing the hard work of speaking for us all.

My gratitude knows no bounds to my parents, Mr. and Dr. Mrs. C.C. Ejiogu and to all the parents of the
students of the class of 2019. You all always wanted the best for us and have, irrespective of the
economic downturn, have strived to see us through this school. Thank you very much for financially,
emotionally and psychologically supporting us. We promise never to let you down.

Finally, though I found it hard to believe that I would start secondary school six years ago, I didn't
think that it would be even more difficult for me to leave. But I'm happy to know that GISS hopefully
will never forget us because in virtually all ramifications, we have set the ball rolling and have left our
footprints in the sands of time. I do know for sure that GISS is set to achieve something great and we
are glad to be a part of that success story.

My friends, I will really miss you all but now is the time for us to go and show the world what we are
made of. We will always remain one family and a part of GISS wherever we find ourselves.

And so, on this very auspicious day, on behalf of the trailblazing, pacesetting and quintessential class
of 2019, I say thank you to all who have seen us through these all-encompassing important six years of
our lives.

Thank you all for listening. I remain Master Chibuike John Ejiogu.

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