Class of 2030 Eighth Grade Promotion: Finding My Place at Eastside Catholic

The following is an excerpt of a speech by Rock Monahan '30, one of several students chosen to speak at the Class of 2030 Eighth Grade Promotion. Read the other Class of 2030 promotion speeches.

By Rock Monahan 30', edited by the Eastside Catholic School Marketing and Communications Team

Hi. I’m Rock Monahan. As I reflect on my time at Eastside Catholic Middle School, if I am honest, it was not easy. I came in from my neighborhood elementary school. I knew everyone there. Starting at a new school with all new people and juggling multiple classes, a locker, and having to wear a uniform every day, it was all such a big, overwhelming change. Whether it was finding the people who I should spend my time with or where to sit at lunch, everything came with uncertainty and many feelings. Some days it didn’t feel like I belonged at all, and I wasn’t sure if I fit in.

Within those hard moments, I found connections with teachers and peers that I think I will share for the rest of my life. I found teachers throughout the years that listened and laughed with me, whether I was having a good or bad day. I eventually found true friends by trying new things, keeping an open mind and being true to myself. If I could go back and tell the sixth-grade version of myself anything, I would tell him to take a deep breath and that it’s all going to be OK and, at the end of middle school, you will be excited to continue your journey into high school at EC. I would also tell my sixth-grade self that the people you will laugh with and sing with will all make it make sense. I would tell him everyone is going through something, and we all need to be kinder to each other and that, in time, he would meet people who he would connect with and feel safe to be himself around.

I eventually found true friends by trying new things, keeping an open mind and being true to myself.

The teachers here have made such an important impact on my life and middle school experience. I could always talk to a teacher who would support me and be a helping hand and friend. Whether it’s the P.E. teacher playing guitar with me, the choir teacher urging me to try new things, the humanities teacher laughing and joking with me, and so much more. Our teachers were there to support us the entire way.

We may all have our differences. I’m the music kid. You may be the sports kid, the academics kid, or maybe the kid who hasn’t found their thing yet, but we all need to support each other in our high school journey no matter what. Let’s face it. Wouldn’t it be so much more fun if we all got along? Let’s think 10 years ahead, 20, 30 and so on. Who do you want to see when you look back at yourself during your high school years? Be someone who will make your future self proud.

LET’S GO, CLASS OF 2030!

If you have questions about the Eighth Grade Promotion speeches, contact Middle School Principal Ashley Hylton.

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