July 2, 2025 at 8:54 a.m.

MY SCHOOL CHANGED MY LIFE

SALUTE TO GRADS: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Valedictorian Naila Monae Fulton and Salutatorian Angelika Cecil

By Naila Monae Fulton

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Valedictorian

I’ve attended Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons since seventh grade. I knew that many of my friends from St. Kateri went there. So I was never afraid of being alone. However, I could’ve never imagined in seventh grade how my school would change my life forever. At NDBG, I found an extension of my family, grew more confident in myself, and received the tools I need to thrive academically and socially.

I’ve been in advanced classes since I started at my school. So, for six years I saw the same six kids all day long. We’ve struggled through physics and calculus concepts together, we frantically studied for exams together, and we shared unforgettable laughs. Even while taking some of the hardest classes at school and balancing extracurriculars and community service, we never had a dull moment in class. This is due, in part, to our incredible teachers who let us be our true selves in their classrooms. While learning derivatives, we played Jenga. We played Just Dance and the funniest games of kickball with the rest of our class in the gym. We read “Romeo and Juliet” and got to act out the most intense scenes. Our teachers made learning fun and exciting every day.

My school also encouraged me to become a critical thinker and be confident in my beliefs. We were never taught to take information for face value. Our teachers made us dig deep within ourselves to find what we believe as Christians and how we should apply Christ’s teachings to our lives. Our history teachers tasked us with researching current events and finding real solutions. We presented and debated our ideas in class. These debates in class, especially during election years, have become some of my fondest memories. During my years here, I have fallen more in love with legal studies and politics and have decided to become a lawyer.

Not only have I found myself at NDBG and had fun doing it, I’ve learned invaluable lessons from my peers and faculty. My brilliant classmates have helped shape how I think. We all come from different backgrounds and have diverse experiences but we all have immense love and respect for one another. They’ve taught me to always stay encouraged and keep my mind on my goals no matter what anyone else says. They believed in me when I felt I couldn’t believe in myself anymore and wanted to give up. My teachers have made me work harder than I ever thought I could. They’ve shown me what it means to be supported academically and loved personally.

I graduated from St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School as co-salutatorian with my best friend; at that time we didn’t know we’d be best friends. I promised myself in fifth grade that I’d be valedictorian of my high school class. In ninth grade, I promised myself I’d go to an Ivy League institution. I can proudly assert that I am valedictorian and I will be attending Yale University this fall. I still can’t believe my time at my beloved school has come to an end but I’m excited about my future. I’m extremely grateful for my six years at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons and for the memories I’ve made, lessons I’ve learned and the phenomenal people I’ve built relationships with.

Growing up in Catholic school

By Angelika Cecil

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Salutatorian

Spending my entire life in Catholic schools has shaped who I am, not just as a student but as a person. From elementary to high school, my Catholic education began in Pre-K at St. Kateri and went all the way to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. Growing up in this environment gave me a sense of structure, community and experiences that influenced the way I think, learn and how I connect with others. It also deepened my understanding of faith and how it can impact the way I live and interact with the world around me. These experiences helped me grow both academically and personally in ways I did not recognize before, but I do now. Through all these years, Catholic school has provided a supportive learning environment, helped me form meaningful relationships, and encouraged my personal growth in and out of the classroom.

The supportive learning environment I was surrounded by daily was one of the most significant parts of my Catholic school experiences. With smaller class sizes and dedicated teachers, I always felt seen and valued. My teachers went out of their way to ensure I had the guidance I needed to succeed, offered help and challenged me to think differently when seeing my potential. They were not just focused on grades, but also wanted me to understand what I was learning and to apply it beyond the classroom. This kind of support allowed me to become an engaged and confident learner over time. I learned to speak up and ask questions, embrace challenges and keep pushing forward even when the work may seem overwhelming and difficult.

Another important part of my Catholic school experience is the relationships I built along the way. Being in a smaller setting allowed me to spend years with the same classmates, which led to trust, comfort and a feeling of connection. Many of those classmates became close friends with whom I shared many laughs and countless memories. The time we spent together helped build friendships that felt real and lasting. From simple conversations to unforgettable moments, those experiences brought us closer and made school feel like a second home. It was not just about being in the same place every day, it was about growing up together and being a part of each other’s lives. I also formed bonds with teachers and staff who listened, gave advice and offered encouragement. These relationships added a deeper meaning to my everyday school life and reminded me that I was surrounded by people who genuinely cared.

Lastly, my time in Catholic education allowed me to become more independent, responsible and ambitious. I learned how to prioritize time, stay organized and view challenges from a different perspective. Over the years, I started to understand what it means to live with purpose. Whether by setting an example, supporting others or staying focused when things felt uncertain, I grew more confident in my abilities and committed to the goals I set for myself both inside and outside the classroom.

As I continue to move forward, I am thankful for the journey Catholic school has led me on. Each moment, big or small, played a role in preparing me for what is next. It has been a place where I grew in ways I never expected, helping me understand more about who I am and who I strive to become. Even though this chapter of my life is ending, I will carry with me the lessons, experiences and determination to face new challenges in the future.