By: Heather Joy Wightman
For your convenience, I have linked parts of my speech to explanations of said parts.
Well, here we are, the class of '97, about to try our wings, to fly to unknown places, to meet unknown people, to explore, to search, to learn. I say learn because that is what life's about. I don't mean sitting in an uncomfortable desk in a cold room pretending to be interested in an insegrevious poem or a page-long sentence full of phrases like ". . . due to comprehensive elimination of contributions to a national platform of magnanimous historical and ideological importance. . ." Whatever. Real learning happens when you least expect it. I read in The Orlando Sentinel recently about some children who visited the science center to "grade" its new exhibits. None of them really wanted to check out the math exhibit, but once there, these kids had a blast. They found out that real math is fun. One girl liked the Chinese Tanagrams; she never knew that math could be puzzles, but through that experience she learned and had fun at the same time! That is real learning.
One of my friends, who shall remain anonymous, said the other day, "I love coming to school; I just wish we didn't have to go to class." But going to class shouldn't be tedious, my friends. Teachers, this is my special challenge to you. Make your classes fun; have as much fun teaching as you want your students to have fun learning. To me, three specific teachers stand out in this respect. First I will mention the teacher who inspired me to reach for the top. Mrs. [Phyllis] Sprinkle was the first to suggest that I strive for the high honor of being valedictorian of my class. I, a freshman naïve to the ways of high school life, had to ask, "What's a valedictorian?" Well, thanks to her and others, here I am. Mrs. Sprinkle's unique teaching style made her class one of my favorites. How can you not have fun in a class when the teacher dances around the room singing an equation?
My favorite subject at Lake Brantley has been physics. What other class has so many fun toys to play with? Lenses, lasers, pulleys, tuning forks, air tracks. . . And I won't forget to mention water balloon fights disguised as projectile labs! Though Mr. [Jim] Helmick isn't one to dance, Mrs. Sprinkle is not the only one who does. I will not forget economics for the rest of my life because Mrs. [Sally] Steere made up a cheer. Economics. . . cheerleading. . . why not? Like the kids at the science center, I was wary about entering the world of economics. As it turned out, I love it! It was definitely a favorite class this year.
My point in this rambling, you ask? I will restate my challenge to the teachers and raise one for my peers. Teachers, have fun teaching and the students will have fun learning. Students, don't learn for the exam and then throw it away in the trash receptacle of forgetfulness. Learn for the sake of expanding your mind and making your life a fun story to be told for ages on end. Whether you go into college, work, or elsewhere, there's always an opportunity to learn, be it brain-related, skill-related, or people-related.
To conclude, I just want to say, "In all the hustle and bustle and stress of life, don't forget to learn." Be a kid, play with toys, sift sand in a box, swim in a pool, play ball, ride a bike, and just have fun!