Sarah Banks’ Valedictory Address at Helix Charter High School

Sarah Banks delivered this valedictory address June 5, 2013, at Helix Charter High School commencement exercises.

Hello, Class of 2013! First off, congratulations on making it to the end of high school, the road was long and paved with tears, procrastination, tears because of procrastination, and many many research papers.

Second, let me just say that I am honored to be among these bright and talented people that have the privilege to speak to you on this fine day.

I am especially honored because I never considered myself “the perfect student.” I know, I know. I can practically hear all your eyes rolling and smell the scorn on your breaths as you scoff, “pffft what, valedictorian not a perfect student?!”

Nevertheless, it is true. I, along with everyone who ever existed ever, am not perfect. Sure, I got A’s in AP Calculus, but I still have to count on my fingers for simple addition and subtraction problems, and whenever someone asks me how old I am, I have this moment of panic where I’m just like, “How long ago was I born…? I should know this; this is not a hard question).”

Sure I got the most outstanding English student award this year, but I am probably the worst speller you’ll ever meet, and no matter how many times I rehearse a speech, I still get sweaty palms, a shaky voice and the most misbehaved bunch of butterflies in my stomach when I have to speak in public.

And sure, I scored a 2000 (out of 2400 for all you older folk out there) on my SAT, but that was on my second try! So, despite what you may think, every single one of these valedictorians up here are (for the most part, I’m not sure about Amber) human.

We were not born with this natural ability to succeed, we work so hard, and as a result, we achieve great things.

Which is why I would like to take this moment to thank the people that shaped me into the person you see standing before you today. Mom, Dad, thank you for all the times you took care of me when I was not able to, but more importantly, thank you for all the times you told me to “get off my butt and do it myself,” when I could. I learned how to work hard because of you, and I love you so very much.

Thank you, teachers and staff. I could not have asked for a more exemplary support system. And finally: Thank you, soon to be former students of Helix Charter High School; you expected nothing but the best from me, and inspired me to achieve my goals. So before I step off this stage and into my future, I hope to return the favor with this last piece of advice.

Class of 2013, you do not have to be perfect to be successful, just be the best “you” that you can possibly be, and you will be unstoppable.

So go out there, out into the big scary world, and give them all you got because, as the famous Green Bay Packers’ coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” And everyone here, every single man, woman and child in this audience, has the power to be excellent. I believe in you. I mean hey, you have made it this far, and for that I say congratulations.