Class of 2030 Eighth Grade Promotion: Growing Through Every Challenge

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

By Emma Feng '30, edited by the Eastside Catholic School Marketing and Communications Team

Middle school still feels like a dream to me. A dream full of laughter, joy, uncertainty, anxiety and awkwardness. But if you were to ask me, would I want to wake up from this bizarre dream? My answer would be "No."

I discovered that change is not something to fear, and that our shared resilience will carry us through the future we choose to build

Looking back at the first day of sixth grade, the very first step I took into this school was full of nervousness and hesitation. I didn't know what was inside this completely new world for me. The hallways looked humongous, and we were suddenly introduced to deeper subjects, complex projects and tons of essays.

Even with constant questions like, "Is this graded?" and "Are there corrections?" we somehow managed to grow. But as the semesters passed, our growth wasn't limited to our report card. I learned that the most valuable skill we gained here wasn't just how to study for tests or getting the right answer, but the ability to adapt to new challenges — which is great, because high school starts in three months, and I still don't know how to do algebra. The real achievement was learning how to adapt to life's natural shifts.

They say that middle school is a journey of self-discovery. I discovered that I am physically incapable of waking up at 5 a.m. every day. Moving past our old comfort zones allowed us to find out who we are. We discovered new interests, found our unique voices during discussions and learned what values mattered to us in friendships. We walked in trying to fit a certain mold, but we are leaving with a much clearer understanding of our own unique paths.

Middle school was never about being absolutely perfect. We realized that mistakes were not failures, but simply opportunities to learn and refine ourselves. We learned how to improve after a tough grade, how to ask for guidance and how to return with a fresh perspective the next morning.

We walked in trying to fit a certain mold, but we are leaving with a much clearer understanding of our own unique paths

Now, we stand ready for high school, reflecting on the nervous kids who first walked through those doors. What I learned was beyond my wildest dreams. I discovered that change is not something to fear, and that our shared resilience will carry us through the future we choose to build.

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

Want to learn more about Eastside Catholic's Touchstones—the core values that shape our community and inspire our students every day? Visit our website to discover how these principles come to life through academics, faith, service and relationships.