‘The door is changing and it’s time to step through it’

Now before I start my speech, I am going to read a poem that I wrote …

“As one door closes another one opens.
At least that’s what most people say.
But does it have to close?
Why must those experiences we’ve gone through be cut off when another opportunity strikes?
Or does it widen the more knowledge is absorbed in life.
Maybe the door we think closed just changed the way it looked.
Switching form, sneaking up when we least expect
Making us THINK we have another door waiting for us.
Because that door we think closed is just the next chapter in our lives
A part of the saga of life.
And no matter how much you might want that door to close it will continue to stay. Waiting to switch forms again.”

I know for me, school was an escape … a place where I didn’t have to deal with reality ... a place I felt safe. It was where I could truly lock into something that would be useful to having success. And for others it was the same. Now I’m not the best at public speaking because I have anxiety, so this, standing up here in front of you all, took a lot in me. But here I am, the valedictorian talking to you all. Anxiety is something not to take lightly.
Being in a constant position of uncomfortability and fear is hard especially when so many people think so highly of you and you think the opposite. And although you may want more for yourself, you don’t know how to get there because you’re constantly in the way of your higher self. I know school has helped me channel my anxiety into something because it allowed me to focus on something other than the things and stresses of the world around me. 

Writing especially was one of my major outlets because I was able to express myself in a way speaking may not be able to. Whether you went to school to get away from home or to escape from your own reality, or because your parents forced you (lol), it doesn’t matter. We each came to school with one thing set in mind, this diploma. We all have accomplished major things since freshman year. From being the babies of high school, not knowing a thing, being lost in the wind, to now all becoming both young adults AND graduates. Being the role models for those under us. Even through all the hardships we’ve gone through since COVID, here we all are today, together, walking this stage. No one knew what that would bring, but after many online classes and long nights on FaceTime with friends, studying till the birds began chirping, pushing and helping each other do better and be better … We did it. We were set back but that didn’t stop us from flourishing.

The pandemic was a challenge for all of us. It proved the dedication of students worldwide. Making this moment before us a major point in history. We survived a pandemic. From the start, March 13, 2020, nobody knew where we would stand in the years to come. But here we are in 2022. This is the year for prosperity, success and to rejoice. This is the year we take back for us.

My biggest supporters were my family. If it wasn’t for them pushing me and creating that determined drive I have, I would not have become the person I am before you all. Thank you to my mom especially for always being my biggest cheerleader. Although we bump heads from time to time, you are my rock. You always told me to chase my dreams and to never settle for less. When I set my mind to something I always fulfill the task and I do nothing without reason because I am your purpose. Although there are times of doubt, I always tried to keep a level head especially when it came to keeping my studies and personal life separate. Thank you dad, grammy, Jovonna, grandma and grandpa, you guys truly are the best family I could ask for. It makes me exude with emotions knowing I can stand before you as the role model my siblings need. I also want to thank one of the most enthusiastic, most relatable and reliable teachers I’ve ever had, Mr. Heinz (Granderath).

If one person knows, Mr. Heinz knows that we have our childish ways at times but that didn’t stop him from trying to give us the education we deserved regardless of the frustrations and restless days. He’s the type of person that you can trust no matter what you’re going through and, had it not been for him, I would probably still hate history class. Because of him I am, no, we ALL are better people. He definitely left his mark on each of us and we will never forget him.

I also want to say thank you to my class. Every single person here today I am extremely proud of. We all worked way too hard to not be here. We accomplished something huge, we’re graduating. Now it’s time for the bigger and better in life. Whether college is the next stop or not, wherever God takes us is all a part of his plan. The door is changing and it’s time to step through it. No matter what it looks like, go beyond it. You never know what it holds for you.

I’m filled with extreme gratitude and want to say to the 2022 final graduating class of Bishop Maginn: We did it! Congrats!

DE’MANI MOORE - Salutatorian 

‘We did it together’

Good afternoon Bishop Scharfenberger, Superintendent Virgiglio, family, teachers and my fellow graduates. It is my honor to be standing here as salutatorian of the Class of 2022. I am happy to be sharing this moment with all of you. It is very hard to believe that this is the last graduation of Bishop Maginn, an institution that’s been in Albany for the last 44 years. 

But first and foremost, we finally made it! After all the hard work, the drama, the stressful pandemic and — most importantly — after all the violence and deaths in our city. I am so proud of myself and my classmates. I’m glad to say we did it together. There have been so many times where I’ve wanted to give up. And there have been so many times where I’ve wanted to just throw all my opportunities away. But thanks to my family and my mom, I didn’t. 

My mom has always been there to push me to do better. It feels like just yesterday I was touring Maginn and now four years later, I’m graduating. I remember in ninth grade I was having the best time of my life, running the halls, having no homework, playing sports and having little responsibility. Then 10th grade came along and the beginning was going so smooth until we left for spring break and never went back. 

Things changed tremendously; the pandemic messed up everyone’s everyday lives. Everything was virtual and I hated it. I felt like a robot doing everything on a computer. It was repeated: wake up, hop on Zoom, go back to sleep. I struggled a lot with that because I’m more of an in-person student. Don’t get me wrong, I love to stay in my room all day but knowing certain things were restricted, it took a toll on me. When 11th grade came, virtual learning became the new norm. Although I began to get more comfortable with it, I still did not like it at all. It was so normal to the point where teachers would just give work and you wouldn’t hear from them until they posted a new assignment. I remember walking into school for the first day of the 12th grade. Everything felt so weird. It was like nobody knew how to communicate anymore.

It was normal to walk past a friend, like we never knew each other. Things just felt out of place and became unreal. School did not feel like a happy place anymore. I had to find my own way to readjust to this new norm. Mr. Heinz was a big help to that readjustment. If it wasn’t for Mr. Heinz, I probably would have just given up on school. He has always been there to boost my energy and my confidence. Mr. Heinz was a great person to talk to anytime I was feeling down. He’s more than a teacher to me, he’s like a friend. But trust me when it’s time to learn, it’s time to learn. He continuously threw those tedious essays at us, knowing how frustrating they were. I would be across the room asking for his help, saying “Mr. Heinz?” And all I would hear back in a baby voice is “Mr. Heinz, Mr. Heinz, WHAT DE’MANI?” I’m going to miss Mr. Heinz very much and he will forever be my favorite teacher.

Appreciate all the bad times, because they always have a good outcome. Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too. We all worked so hard for this moment and it’s now our time to shine.

Although I thank all of you in this room, the main person I want to thank is GOD. Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Without him, I wouldn’t have become the person I am today. Without him, life would be very different. I just want to remind you guys to never give up and to always chase your dreams.

Cheers to new life and new beginnings!