Malden High School Class Orator Address

By Kathleen Yick

Class Orator

Thank you Mr. Mayor, superintendent, Mr. Mastrangelo,

When Mr. Mastrangelo spoke to me about a speech, saying it had to be five minutes long, I knew this speech had to leave a mark in some way or form. And so the first person I went to was my older sister, Maggie.

Thank you for always giving me the advice I needed and sometimes didn’t. I also thank my mom for raising three daughters by herself and feeding me every day. My younger sister Elissa, too, so she won’t feel left out and also for being here today despite having “better things to do” and thank you, to the person who taught me Pick’s theorem, which I only needed to use twice in my life.

And I could never forget about the teachers, the counselors, the administrators. I will carry your words with me till the end of time and longer; if you haven’t signed my yearbook yet I will visit you personally. And to my friends sweating out there in the field but looking great, with special mention of vally, and sally, I’m so thankful to have known all of you.

But enough about that. We’re almost done — with this speech and the end of this stage. Fifty-four percent, for anyone who’s counting down the minutes.

They told us the “sky is the limit,” I disagree. I think we could “steal the moon” and time travel back to this moment if we wanted — not that we would but the lesson is to never limit yourself and never think you can’t make it.

From being 6 feet apart in our freshman year to being packed like sardines in our senior year, we were inevitably going to end up at this moment. Whether we’re off to be outstanding pioneers of science, artists, judges of law, doctors, teachers, future Oscar award winners, Uber drivers, food connoisseurs, or still figuring it out, WE MADE IT. Through fire drills and various schedule changes, we are perseverance and now the graduated class of 2025.

Let’s lock in one last time and get through so many more amazing speeches to come. I say this without bias, but we were the best and I’m proud to be a part of this class….to be finished and revised.