Good afternoon family, friends, faculty, and, most importantly, my fellow graduates. My name is Jane Herrmann, and it is a privilege to stand before you as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025. I must admit, finishing my high school career in this position has been a goal of mine for the better part of the last four years, and it is unbelievable that this day has finally come. Throughout my time as a student, I’ve often tried to find the right words to express how I feel in moments like these, yet nothing feels quite enough. In time, I’ve realized that gratitude is one of the most impactful ways to express how we feel.
Today, my speech will serve as a “Thank You” to the Gloucester Community.
We often overlook how incredibly fortunate we are to have been raised on this island, surrounded by sandy shores and crashing waves. We forget that students across the country are landlocked, unable to smell the salty air or feel the ocean breeze. However, we also tend to overlook how fortunate we are to have had a close-knit community that supported us each step of the way.
There are few cities with a population of nearly thirty thousand that still maintain a deep interconnectedness. Despite this, Gloucester continues to foster community and support for all its inhabitants. As I look into the stands today, I see many familiar faces from the community. Those who showed up for elementary school bake sales, those who cheered us on at every sporting event, and those who’ve been at every performance and academic ceremony. Many of our musicals and plays, educational fairs, and other exciting events wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the Gloucester Education Foundation, as well as the Parent Teacher Associations at each school. We, as a class, are forever grateful for the support we’ve felt from the community over the course of our thirteen years as Gloucester students. Throughout my time as a student in Gloucester, there has never been a time where I felt the absence of an encouraging community.
There are three important groups to whom I’d like to express my deepest gratitude.
First, I would like to show my appreciation for our outstanding Gloucester Public Schools faculty and staff. When I think of my time as a student, I don’t just think of books, papers, and tests. Instead, I think of those who made our schools more than just a building. From Kindergarten to High School, our teachers have been more than educators. They stayed late after school, they answered our questions, and they always pushed us to our full potential. During our time in the classroom, our beloved teachers guided us to greatness, allowing us to foster our own thoughts and ideas. In the hallways, simple interactions, like a smile from a staff member, have more of an impact than one may think. When we walk into the library, a welcome from the librarians and a simple conversation gives us a sense of belonging. During the hardest moments, I am confident that each student sitting behind me had someone in the building to go to in times of need. This year has been especially difficult for our faculty and staff, so, on behalf of today’s graduates, I’d like to extend a “Thank You” to the teachers, paras, substitutes, librarians, custodians, counselors, and all those in between.
Next, I’d like to thank the families of each graduate. Whether you’re here with us today or watching from afar, you’ve played an essential role in getting your graduates across this stage. We owe so much to our parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone who supported us. You are our anchors, the ones who’ve always kept us grounded. While I am unable to personally thank all of you, I hope you know how much your students appreciate you and treasure your involvement in their lives. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for the loved ones who got us here today. There are many people within my own family that I owe thanks to, but I would surely be ushered off this stage if I were to list them all. However, I would be remiss to not take this moment to recognize three important people in my life. Thank you to my parents, Kerry and Craig, for always encouraging me, especially when I feel lost. You are my role models and my twin pillars, your involvement in the community is an inspiration. Thank you to my sister and my best friend, Ruby, who never fails to make me smile, and is one of my greatest motivators. I truly don’t know where I would be without you.
Finally, I would like to address the Class of 2025. We never thought this day would come. We dreamt of it for as long as we can remember, crossing days off our calendars and counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds. It’s hard to believe it has finally arrived. Now that it’s here, I’m sorry it is because it means saying goodbye. Some of us have known one another since Kindergarten, while others became friends along the way. When we walked into Gloucester High School on the first day of Freshman year, we were filled with fear and uncertainty. Still hidden behind our masks, we struggled to find our classes and navigate the hallways, but soon enough, we adjusted to our new lives as highschoolers, always ready to help one another and lend a hand. We supported each other through the tough moments, and celebrated in the exciting ones. For more than a decade, we’ve watched one another grow. We fought over crayons in Kindergarten, navigated awkward phases in middle school, and stood firmly by our peers throughout high school. Now, we are stepping into a world of unknowns, and for the first time, we won’t be together. But, no matter where we go from here, the experiences we’ve had in Gloucester will guide us forward. In closing, I would like to extend my final “Thank You” to my classmates, the GHS Class of 2025.
May our futures be as bright as the time we’ve spent together. Thank you.
