By Sicily Houk, The Current Co-Editor in Chief
Graduation is rapidly approaching for the River Hill class of 2022. Soon enough they will be throwing their caps in the air and heading off to the next steps in their lives. Each year at graduation there are seniors who write speeches to announce to the graduating class. This year’s graduation speakers include. Ketsia El Ekoko, Dhriti Vadlakonda, Iris Zhan and Ethan Vinodh.
All the speakers were interviewed and asked the same two questions to understand the importance and meaning of this event to them. When asked how they feel being chosen to be one of the graduation speakers Ethan Vinodh replied, “I feel humbled and honored by this great opportunity, and I consider it a privilege to speak on behalf of some of the finest people I’ve met and grown with over the past years.” Iris Zhan responded, “I’m very excited to share my speech that I hope will resonate with the class. I’m thrilled to express myself and make my last impression on the class before we go our separate ways.”
Excited to be trusted with the opportunity Dhriti Vadlakonda exclaimed, “I feel honored to be chosen as a graduation speaker! I am grateful that River Hill entrusted me with this huge responsibility.” Ketsia El Ekoko remarked, “It feels great to be honest. I am more than blessed and happy to be doing the welcome speech, I believe I was chosen for a reason. First of all I am representative of my community, a representation of Christ. I just feel so blessed and happy I was given the opportunity because on June 2nd I’ll be able to give people advice which is what my main goal on earth is and to make people smile. Just spread joy and happiness all around.” It is heartwarming to see the amount of care these speakers put into their roles as speakers.
Being a graduation speaker is a big honor and is also a very big deal. The speakers were asked what motivated them to try and become a graduation speaker in the first place. Ethan said, “I have always enjoyed public speaking, having delivered several speeches at church. This year, I really felt that the prompt was thought-provoking and I instantaneously struck a chord with it. Its relevance to the world we live in is unmistakable and timely.” It is clear that Ethan is going to give this year’s prompt the attention it deserves.
Iris remarked, “ Very similarly to my feelings around being a speaker. As the activist I am, I wanted to make my voice heard and hopefully make people feel seen in the celebration of finishing high school.” It is amazing to see how much the River Hill students care about their fellow classmates and helping them feel appreciated and seen in the sea of people.
Our school is filled with positivity and love and Dhriti wants to continue spreading these crucial things saying, “ I love to inspire and spread positivity. Becoming a graduation speaker is one of the coolest ways to do that!” It can be sure that her speech will do everyone and the school justice.
Finally, Ketsia replied, “ I really wanted to leave a standing point to my classmates and the rest of the school that anything is possible. That my pain has been turned into champagne. That I am not a failure and that I can do big things. I also did it for my mother who is my backbone and I wanted to make her proud. Plus, it will be a great day so why not make an impact!” It is known for a fact that Ketsia will make an impact for students and make everyone proud to be a part of River Hill.
Overall it has been a crazy year with a rollercoaster of emotions for each and every person. The year is coming to an end and it is time to walk across that stage and embrace the next chapters. The graduation speakers this year are all very incredible students and people that are going to help inspire the seniors and send them off with hope and positivity. Congratulations to the graduation speakers as well as the graduating class of 2022.