'WE WANT A DIFFERENT FUTURE'

‘We want a different future’

By Gabriel Silverstein 

Bishop Maginn

Valedictorian 

Well, here we are. After months of uncertainty, separation and frustration, we’re finally standing here together, the Class of 2020, for one last time. As a class, we’ve been through so much that hardly anyone else could ever really understand.

We may not have had the senior year any of us expected — no prom, no yearbooks to sign, no last day of school goodbyes, but … we have today. We fought harder than most to make it happen and this is our moment. Our moment to look back at everything that brought us here and everything we’ve learned about ourselves along the way. And it’s our moment to look forward to everything we’re capable of, even the face of this “new normal.”

We’re here today, still fighting this invisible enemy, armed with facemasks and clear battle lines drawn to distance ourselves from one another, not quite able to see the real light at the end of this unpredictable tunnel. This journey has turned our world upside down. It’s exposed our weaknesses, reordered our priorities, and taught us so much about what truly matters.

Through all of it, we’ve finally come to understand who and what keeps us going, like the essential frontline workers who put themselves at risk for people they don’t even know. They are the ones stocking our shelves, keeping us fed, staffing our hospitals. They are the doctors and scientists across the world, whose ranks I someday hope to join, battling to find the treatments that keep us alive, or the one vaccine that gives us our world back.

They’re also the people working behind the scenes. Teachers like my mother and her colleagues, and the “army” of strangers who showed up when we needed them most. Their compassion, generosity and selflessness has taught us the true value of looking out for each other. These everyday heroes have shown us, by example, how powerful we can really be when we come together, even in the face of what feels like disaster. This is a lesson we, as a country, need now more than ever.

As the global pandemic broke down our world, we watched in horror as George Floyd cried out from the pavement in Minneapolis, struggling for his last breath and ultimately losing his life. And we watched as a nation in mourning took to the streets demanding change for him and all those that came before him.

Our generation can’t afford to just look away and ignore the countless lives in danger — lives of people we care about. We can’t afford to remain silent, knowing that any one of us will be treated differently because of how we look or where we’re from. As a community, as a school, as the Class of 2020, we know that is not who we are.

If there was ever a perfect picture of diversity, our class would be it. We come not just from different cities and states, but from countries across multiple continents around the globe. Throughout these four years, each and every day, we have made each other better. We’ve seen firsthand that it is our differences which make us stronger. That there are so many lessons to be learned by taking the time to understand it is the journey that makes us who we are today.

No matter how we got here, at this point, we’ve all become family. Families listen to one another, they argue with each other, and they face challenges together.  And now, in this moment, the challenge before us is clear, and make no mistake — it will be a challenge — but it’s one that our class is ready to meet.

We want a different future, a future where everyone is given the same opportunities … the same chance to dream … and that means it’s up to us, the Class of 2020, to take our next step as graduates and as leaders. It’s time for us to get out there and change the world.

‘Our journeys are just beginning’

By Tamia Cousins

Bishop Maginn 

Salutatorian

When I was younger, my parents always stressed the importance of education. In school, I would try my best, but my grades still fell slightly short of their expectations since I would get 70s and 80s on my tests. Although those were okay, they knew I could do better, so I could tell they were a bit disappointed. I studied harder and improved. I wanted to do everything I could to make them proud of the work I did.

They would always tell me stories about their childhood and how hard they had it back when they were younger. That they couldn’t afford to go to school most days since it was too far or how they wished they could get the education and opportunities that were given to me. From that moment on, I decided not to waste the chances that were given to me. I know they’ve worked hard to provide me with everything that they weren’t able to have while growing up, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

I worked hard not only for myself but for them; to reach my own dreams and meet their expectations. For as long as I can remember, my parents and my family have been the driving force in all my success and accomplishments. They are the motivation that has pushed me until now, but my journey is not over yet.

All of our journeys are just beginning. We’ve only just completed one of our many goals; however, there is still much more to do. Class of 2020, as we close off this chapter of our lives in high school, our story does not end. We are just beginning the rest of our lives, and as cliché as that sounds, I’m excited. The future is unknown, and as COVID-19 has taught us, there will be many unexpected bumps up ahead. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this, we can’t let adversity stand in the way of our future. Our lives were put on hold for several months, but we didn’t allow it to stop us. With the help of friends, family and our community, we were able to get through this, and I firmly believe we can get through anything.

Class of 2020, I hope all of you find your paths in life and succeed in ways you never knew. This year has bought a lot of unforeseen problems, but I know that it has only made us stronger. I wish you all the best and congratulations.