The Mountain of Confidence

Hello, my name is Latrell Williams and I am speaking on behalf of the class of 2022. Class of 2022, we made it. 12 years of friendships and memories coming and going and today is the day we march across the stage to cap it all off. Before we start celebrating our newest achievement let’s look back on the journey that brought us to this point. We all started our journey freshman year when we had our bags packed and waiting at the base of the mountain. The unimaginable view standing ahead of us. The thoughts of stress and failure flooding our minds making this new journey seem impossible. All of the built-up confidence from 8th grade seemed to have diminished as we looked the new hike in the eyes. Some of us were scared of the big scary seniors roaming the halls acting like they owned the place while others were excited and ready to drive the seniors crazy every day. The awkward feelings of meeting new teachers for the first time and acting on your best behavior at all times; making sure your first impression is perfect. The beginning of the mountain painted a very perfect picture leaving us to believe high school should be a breeze. As we start to adapt to the new environment the mountain presents us we start to become more confident and progress comes much faster as we are more comfortable and able to produce the work needed from ourselves.

Like every high school student, we all experienced our first underwhelming high school experience. For some, it may have been not having that lead roll in a drama play like they often had up to this point because there was someone older and more experienced. Others may have felt the disappointment of not getting the varsity role on their sports teams even though they had had a huge impact on their sports teams every year of their life. We were all at the bottom of the food chain and there was always someone bigger and better than us. Our confidence took a hit and started to diminish a little bit, maybe a lot for others. Even though we slipped and fell back down the mountain, we had to get up and keep moving forward as we wanted to reach our final destination at the peak of the mountain. Those certain individuals that didn’t fall back down the mountain were there to pick up the others because we’re here for each other at Oak Hill and we don’t leave others behind. We entered our sophomore year with some of our confidence built back up. A good majority of our athletes were making an impact on all of our varsity sports teams and drama members were on their way to the lead rolls of their plays. We’re all halfway up the mountain at this point plenty of supplies and our energy and ambition are at an all-time high. Then covid became a thing. Our life became school behind our computers and knocked some of us down very quickly. Many months of not being together as a class. No spring fling for the electric assemblies we all loved, and no homecoming as we entered our junior year. As a class, I feel as though we handled the situation very well. We moved into our junior year ready to go, some of us got to start seeing each other again as we slowly started moving back into the classroom. Sometimes you will be separated from your group and the people you’re closest with but you have to keep moving forward. Sports were back for most teams even though football took a hard hit while not having our junior season. Confidence was at the highest points of our high school career as we knew everyone within the walls of oak hill high school and we didn’t have to force ourselves to be the best students to impress our teachers every day. But like all upperclassmen school becomes more difficult. More homework is being assigned, we are taking our first taste of AP and dual enrollment classes and our time outside of school is becoming more devoted to our school work. The gas in our tank is starting to run low but we don’t have time to stop. Once again we fuel off of each other and keep each other going. We’re nearing the top of the mountain as we go through our senior year. AP classes and Dual enrollment filled some of our schedules and work is coming in at a fast pace… some classes are more than others… one of those classes may start with the word English and end with the number 4 but it’s something we all pushed ourselves through. All of our sports seasons were played were pretty successful. Drama club had some great senior leaders who took over the plays with all of their experience. Confidence is at an all-time high as we’re finally at the top of the food chain within the walls of Oak Hill high school.

And here we are. Class of 2022 we’re at the top of the mountain. Back in freshman year I first heard of all this mountain talk. I realized that life is much like hiking a mountain. You start off by fearing what’s in front of you. You start the hike and work hard on your way up the mountain, sometimes you’ll slip and fall back down but you keep working and gaining confidence and eventually you reach your final goal and the top of the mountain. And after all the work we put into our schooling up to this point we’re standing here today receiving our diploma. Although I am very proud of the achievements we have accomplished, you can not stop here. After tonight you are just like the other 87% of Maine high school students who graduate within 4 years. And the 90% of high school students in Texas which graduate within 4 years. This diploma is not something to dwell on. This is an achievement most people accomplish so you can not be satisfied with this one diploma. So continue working hard and continue to achieve great things. Create goals and live in the moment every single day. I know that every single one of you sitting in front of me can achieve your goals. Many of us here today are going on to college to pursue something we have worked for our whole lives. The class of 2022 here at Oak Hill is capable of leaving our mark all around the world. We are going to do so by attending colleges in many different states such as Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and of course our home state of Maine. While others may be going into the trades to enter the workforce as soon as possible while doing something they enjoy. For those students leaving Maine to further their education, I am proud of you and I am here for you. Being away from home can be difficult for some and that’s okay. Just know that a good majority of these peers sitting around you at this very moment will be here for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re having a hard time because somebody will be their to help you through your struggles. And for every single person in this room right now. Attack everything that is put in front of you with Confidence. Confidence is the key to success. Don’t be afraid to try new things, apply for that job you want, and give that good firm handshake that transfers confidence right through your hands. You are good enough. You are unique in your own ways and you can not be afraid to show that. If you ever question whether you’re doing enough or not, do more and do it because that’s what you want to do. Do not allow yourself to do something because it is what someone else wants you to do. Make yourself happy because that’s where happiness in life will come from. At the end of the day, the world owes you nothing and you owe something to the world. Leave your mark, break records, and never settle for where you are. I have confidence in every one of you. I will be there for you as will the others. Be the shoulder to fall on and support others as we move through life. Class of 2022 I’ll be rooting for you, give the world everything you have, and don’t give up. When in doubt go for more and I can’t wait to see what achievements you guys achieve. And once again, congratulations on this newest achievement. Thank You.

“Graduation” by uonottingham is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.Copy text