Seniors Once Again Impress with Their Speeches
An age-old Hindu chant, a greeting in Mohawk, rap-style rhyming, humor . . . that’s how some of our seniors began their talks in Ridgway last month. And from then on, Senior Speeches 2015 only got better!
Once again, an Upper School graduating class inspired, captivated, and moved members of the Principia community through the delivery of thoughtful, polished reflections on life. Appreciative audiences heard 61 different speakers over a week and a half in January, during evening and lunchtime sessions in Ridgway Auditorium.
When it comes to key topics, common threads run through the fabric of this cherished annual Principia tradition: overcoming fear and physical challenges; gratitude for parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, and friends; dealing with change and making progress; learning what it takes to be a leader; making the practice of Christian Science one’s own . . . This year, several students spoke eloquently about the process of self-discovery, of recognizing, appreciating, and growing from challenges, and learning to express, share, and pursue new talents and interests.
Others talked about the role Christian Science has played in their lives, including their introduction to the religion. A few who joined the Upper School just this fall noted how quickly they felt at home. One of the new seniors even wondered aloud, “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” And time and again, coaches, administrators, teachers, and house parents were called out by name, with specific examples of how they have supported or inspired a student.
Many students alluded to the spiritual and character growth gained from participating in sports and artistic endeavors. It was clear, as well, that similar growth had come from the very act of participating in Senior Speeches itself, as students overcame their fear of speaking in front of a large group. This year, as always, seniors met this challenge head on, with the help of their coaches and mentors, English faculty Nancy Heimerl and Steve Henn (US’98, C’02), who have been working with the students throughout the fall semester to hone and refine their writing.
Finally, one interesting aside regarding the synergy between the Senior Speech development process and the college application process during the fall: one student referred to the same experience and resulting growth in both her speech and essay, and the latter was instrumental in earning her a university acceptance along with an academic scholarship.