Miya Sommers, a graduating senior, was invited to speak at the Berkeley High School Graduation at the Greek Theater on Friday June 18, 2010. This is the text of her remarks:
The most important thing I learned from high school is to value the small things instead of worrying about the big ones.
My whole objective for Berkeley High consisted of getting into the best college possible. I joined too many clubs, took too many hard classes, and tried to make too many friends, all geared towards creating the image of the perfect high schooler.
By Junior year, I was exhausted. As it turned out, I wouldn’t meet any of my grandiose aspirations. Instead, I'd forget about the little things that made me happy, sacrificing it all for one large dream.
I was so wrapped up in work, I ceased to have lunch dates with friends. One day I found myself alone: no work to do and no friends to eat with.
But a voice called out to me.
It was Kyle Strang.
He asked if I wanted to go to lunch with him.
It really was an odd lunch. He and I went to Shattuck to purchase some sort of muscle supplement to help him begin mixed martial arts. The whole time we talked about getting buff, losing weight, and kicking ass. Kyle had that fun energy. The most mundane could be an adventure. I hadn’t laughed like that in a long time.
I really cherished this seemingly average afternoon.
I wish we could have more.
Death interrupts a lot of things. But that’s just one of the big ones.
It’s moments like these that make up my most treasured high school memories.
In the end, it really is the small things that stay with us.
A song sung by your first period teacher
Eating Pad Thai in the park
A hug when you really needed it
These are the little things that will remain in my heart. They are what I love most about Berkeley High.
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