Working Toward Something Great

by James Tupaj, Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Eastside Catholic School

They told us to make the most of high school—it goes by fast. Standing here now, I can tell you high school was more marathon than sprint.

Every one of us in the Class of 2026 has put in the work to get to this point—the hours cramming for AP tests or training for the upcoming season. Even if it felt like day after day of slogging through Petersen packets or annotating three chapters in a night for Lit, it's clear what we were working for.

It's important that we remember this feeling: the satisfaction, elation, accomplishment—the feeling of having achieved a yearslong goal.

As you head into your next endeavor, whether that be college, work, the trades or the military, keep this feeling in mind. Remember that as long as you're working, you're working toward something great.

Thank you.

(No, I did have GPT write this speech.)