Malden High School’s Valedictorian’s Address

By Sze Wing ‘Susila’ Wong

MHS Valedictorian

As some of you probably know, I did not want to give this speech just a few days ago, but yet today, I am honored to be speaking to the Malden High School Class of 2025.

I am Susila Wong, or some of you probably know me by “the kid who took Calculus BC or four APs her sophomore year.” I still remember that some of you thought I was crazy. But at the time, I didn’t think much of it at all. I was kinda more focused on all the other things that I didn’t do but that I could’ve done.

And it wasn’t because I was crazy. It was that I was never taught to think that I was enough. My parents always told me to want more and to become more. So that was all that I had in my head: I wasn’t proud of anything that I did, I just regret not being able to do more.

But it really wasn’t until this week when school ended and, like most of you probably also noticed, that there was a lot more free time. So I started to think… and I looked back to where I was four years ago: this shorter little girl with a mask on that couldn’t talk to anyone and getting lost in Malden High. And then I look at where I am today: the valedictorian on the stage talking to thousands and thousands of people and probably getting lost in MIT in a few months. And I never realized how much I’ve grown, how impressive some of the things I’ve done, and that maybe I was… enough.

So I want all of you to do the same right now. Put yourself back into the past, think about who you were in September of 2021. Maybe you were just sitting in the auditorium by yourself with your mask on, when Mr. Mastrangelo is introducing himself for the first time, not knowing what to expect at all.

Now back to where you are today, sitting here with your cap and gown, ready to walk up the stage to get your diploma. Think about the journey you had along the way, all the knowledge you’ve gained, the lessons you’ve learned, the classes you’ve taken, the mid school lunch you’ve eaten, and the bathrooms you’ve been locked out of; but really, mainly how much you’ve grown, and how far you have actually come along. And be proud of all of it, even just for today.

And also think of all the people along the way, your friends and family or even your enemies. And thank them because they’ve all given you something, something special, whether that would be unconditional love or the lesson you learned the hard way.

And I want to take this chance right now to do just that:

I first want to thank my parents that always pushed me to be the best I could be. You guys have never failed to tell me that I could always do better, but I hope today I didn’t fail to make you all proud.

I want to thank my sister Priscilla for always showing me new opportunities but also giving me the confidence I needed for those opportunities

I specifically also want to thank these other people that have helped me a lot in these last four years: Mr. Morrison and Mr. Marques for their support and playing a big part in me finding robotics as my passion. Megyn Ta for being the big back that I can always rely on. Stephanie Wong being the princess she always is. Ilyes for showing me the issues that I will probably see again in the real world. And the person that I was texting last night as I was crying in the bathroom for always being there for me, and everyone else that have been in any part of my life because I probably would not be here today without them.

And with that, today is not only a day of celebration… but also a day of gratitude. Be proud of what you’ve done and how far you have come along but also be grateful for all that happened and especially those that have helped you along the way. Either way, these four years wouldn’t have happened the way it did if not for your own choices but also for all the people in your life.

Even in the future, I want you to just take a day for yourself every so often to stop for a moment… and think the same way you did today: taking pride in how far you have come and being grateful for those that were there along the way.

Thank you to all of you for listening and congratulations on your graduation