Molly Zuk: Class of 2011 a "Class of Winners"

Editor's Note: The following is the text of the speech delivered by Molly Zuk, Salutatorian and President of the Class of 2011, at the Stoughton High Graduation on June 2.

Over the next few days, Stoughton Patch will be publishing the speeches and accompanying video footage of all five student speakers at and , as well as Principal Matt Colantonio's remarks at Graduation.

This is the third in a series of six. Read the speech or follow along while watching the video in the media gallery.

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Good evening and welcome to the graduation of the Stoughton High School Class of 2011.

Graduation day seemed so distant when we entered Stoughton High as freshman just four short years ago. We spent each and every day waiting for the last bell to ring and to be just one day closer to today. Four years ago, we couldn’t wait to get older. Well graduation day is finally here and I don’t feel older. I feel sad that I am leaving a place that has had such an impact on who I am and who I will be. I feel scared that after today, I will no longer be a part of the Stoughton High School bubble. However, today, I feel ready to start a new chapter in my life and graduate.

Two weeks ago, the e-board and I met Mr. Beaulieu for dinner to discuss our final senior activities and on the way home, the past four years flashed before my eyes.

I remembered freshman year; just feeling so small and confused about who I would be for the next four years and beyond. We gained the responsibilities and challenges associated with high school. It took a while to realize that there was not a pool on A4th and certain hallways were designated the “senior hallway”. We struggled to understand the traditions of spirit week and senior week; nevertheless, we survived freshman year.

Sophomore year passed as a mix of classes and activities. We were on the cusp of adulthood, yet most of us weren’t even old enough to get our license. We were still unsure about who we were as people, and most of us were just plain awkward. However, three years ago, we couldn’t wait for today to come. Graduation day still seemed so far away.

To me, junior year was a blur, a stressful blur. We began considering the ideas of college, the military, and full-time work. We began discussing potential career paths and our future majors. It all still seemed so far away. During our junior year, we began our reign as upperclassmen and we got a better hold of who we were as people. Junior year, we grew up and next thing you knew, we were seniors.

Finally, senior year was here. We all understood what the term senioritis meant and it was quickly inserted into every other facebook update, tweet, and homework complaint. Every Stoughton High tradition became our last. We experienced our last spirit week and dominated in just about everything. It was finally acceptable to chant 2011 at the pep rally and it was our turn to color the town white with toilet paper on the night before powder-puff. It was our turn to scream in the parking lot on the morning of powder-puff to get pumped up for the big game. It was our last homecoming game and our last semi-formal dance. For the athletes, the posters at the senior games said our names and numbers. Lastly, it was our senior week. It was our turn to look like fools and receive glares from the underclassmen while they tried to figure out what we were wearing.

However, most of all through my flashbacks, I remember the people I spent these four years with.

I spent my four years of high school with a class of winners. In our extracurricular activities, such as marching band, jazz bands, choirs, Science Olympiad, Construction Challenge and DECA, we represented Stoughton High to the best of our abilities on a local, state and national level and made everyone proud. We led our respective athletic teams to achieve personal goals and team victories. We even helped to lead two teams, specifically, to the MIAA state tournament. Great job boys’ basketball—and tomorrow, it’s our turn softball.

As a class, we proved victorious through spirit week. For our spirit walls, we earned 2nd place our freshman year, tied for 3rd sophomore year, and dominated junior and senior year with back to back 1st place finishes. I couldn’t help but be proud of our boys as they defeated the Canton bulldogs on Thanksgiving Day. And through all of this, we survived the NEASC invasion.

I spent my four years with a group of kids who always knew how to have a good time. I am probably biased but we had one of the funniest Mr. SHS events ever. Tim, Paul, Scott, Tom, Joe, Jordan, Rory and PJ—I miss your late night basement dance rehearsals. You 8 boys put together a show that few of us are going to forget. During our class trip, we refused to let the rain slow us down as we enjoyed the variety of activities and games provided. Prom at Gillette was an unforgettable night. We danced the night away and made memories that will last a lifetime. We always had great times as a class and I am so thankful for that.

I spent my four years with a class advised by Mr. Beaulieu. Meeting him freshman year, I had no clue what to expect. He began as a young quirky new teacher who was just as clueless as we were on some of the SHS traditions, but slowly developed into the older brother a lot of us never had. Since we were his first class, we grew up and matured right alongside him. To us, he will always be remembered as bowl-dash-yer. During spirit wall, we all bonded and learned of Beaulieu’s weird music obsessions of ‘Waka Waka’ and ‘No Speak Americano.’ I should also mention that Mr. Beaulieu rarely helped us during those long nights of spirit wall with the exception of the Tuesday night before powderpuff when we had to tape everything down. Somehow, we still managed.

He also provided us with 2 fundraisers that he will forever take credit for. Flamingo flocking and our Krispy Kreme sales supported this class financially and provided us with opportunities to fundraise outside of the typical candy sales. Beaulieu, you truly made an impact on us and in my opinion, you helped make our class stand out. Now that you have replaced us with Kenzie and Gwynneth, don’t forget about us-we were yours first.

Lastly, I spent my four years with all of you. The class of 2011 is a group of 264 students each with a different story, who entered high school four years ago and has grown up together. We can be at each other’s throats one day, but we know how to rally together in times of need. I feel truly fortunate to have spent my four years of high school as a part of this wonderful class. I have become the person I am today through knowing all of you.

Mr.Colantonio, Mr. O’Neil, Ms. Fernandes, Dr. Rizzi, Mr. Ford and SHS faculty, thank you so much for all of your support and guidance. You have helped me so much in reaching all of my achievements during my high school years.

 Rory, Laurie, Bobby, and Emily. Thank you so much for putting up with all of my annoying text messages and my late notice of e-board meetings. This class and all of our events could not have been accomplished or successful without the four of you.

Mom, Dad, and Emma. Thank you for all of your love and support for the past 17 years. I know I wasn’t always the easiest to deal with when things got hectic, but thanks for always being there for me. I love you.

And class of 2011, thank you for all the memories. As Dr. Seuss once said, “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” In a short time, we will all cross this stage and embark on a new chapter in our lives. One, which will take us on many different paths. I hope that in whatever path you choose in life, you remember and cherish your experience at Stoughton High. I am so grateful that I was able to share these past four years with all of you. Congratulations Class of 2011. We did it!