Logan took a deep breath and walked toward the podium wearing his cap and gown and began his speech . . .
Headmaster Charleston, Dean O'Brien, faculty, staff, family, and most importantly graduates, I cannot believe that graduation has so quickly come upon us. It seems as though it was only yesterday when we all walked through the massive intimidating doors, as young scared freshmen, and today we have walked through those doors for the final time as students at this school. I am honored to be standing in front of all of you today; chances are we are the best class of 2003 that Chilton has ever produced. Well, I guess we are the only class of 2003 that Chilton has produced.
I don't know about you, but freshmen year seems as vivid in my memory as what I ate for breakfast, which for anyone who is wondering was Wheaties, the breakfast of champions. We all entered Chilton the same way we will enter some of the most prestigious universities in this country, teeming with excitement and trembling with fear. We all had visions of what we thought high school would be. Us guys looked forward to playing the staring role in our very own "Risky Business" or "Ferris Buller's Day Off. We would be popular and get the girl, however we found that girls have pretty hard standards and we didn't have Tom Cruise's charm. As for the ladies, I am told, that they looked forward to being Cher from "Clueless" and Kelly from "Saved by the Bell". Now as we move toward college life we find ourselves dreaming of movies such as "Animal House." Alas, as we learned that high school is not like Ridgemont High and we will soon learn that our colleges will not be like the one in "Animal House".
We had some good times class of 2003. Who could forget our brilliant senior pranks, or hiding from the 'scary' seniors when we were mere freshmen. As we move on I am so glad that I will be able to take those memories with me. We also learned a lot. We learned that our parent's will always find out what we were really doing when we went to the library and that when Miss. Ruben says the only excuse for late work is a coroner's note, she means it. Who could forget all of our amazing teachers? I'm sure we will always remember the fervor Mr. Medina had for Proust and Dr. Garrisons, animated lectures about the human anatomy that always made us laugh. Lest we forget Mr. Steven's fun playfulness and love for basketball or the compassion Mrs. Kingston had for each and every one of her students? We have also learned about ourselves and each other over these past years. We learned of our true strength when we pulled together have the heinous attacks of September 11, 2001. I am honored to have learned so much about you, 'cause while I may not remember the quadratic formula, I will remember how amazing each and every one of you are.
Right then, I bet none of you thought I could get sentimental like that. Anyways, class of 2003 I will miss you but I will never forget you. Every time I see a pig or a mouse I will most definitely laugh, and that is how I want to remember our class. Class of 2003 the day we waited for and dreaded has come. All good things must come to an end but I wouldn't want it to end with any other people.
Lastly, a little advice from Gary Bolding, "your families are extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money."
Class of 2003 good-bye and good luck, I bid you adieu.
He smiled at the crowd as he returned to his seat, again he tried to meet Rory's eye but she wouldn't look at him as she walked toward the podium and began he speech . . .
Headmaster Charleston, Dean O'Brien, faculty, staff, family, and graduates, June, the month most seniors live for, has come and I am sad to see it because it means leaving so many wonderful people.
I spent many hours looking at a blank computer screen trying to think of something appropriate to say, but sadly I do no think words can express everything I am feeling. Funny, you would have thought that somewhere in the course of these four years they would have taught us how to say goodbye. For the first time I can remember, I am at a loss for words, so I shall do my best.
Chilton taught us so much in such a short period of time. Of course, we leave here rich in the knowledge of Shakespeare, World War II, the socio-economic structure of Asian countries, and trigonometry. However, we could have learned that sort of stuff anywhere; Chilton taught us life lessons. We learned to demand the very best of ourselves, and never settle for something that is sub-par, which is possibly one of life's most important lessons. We could not have learned these lessons without such amazing support systems. We not only had our families cheering us on but a whole school full of people who actually cared about our wellbeing and success.
Somewhere during the past four years we changed graduates. When we came to Chilton we were classmates, and now as we leave, we are a family. We are the family of 2003 and like any family we've been through it all together. Our class saw each other through good times and bad. We supported each other through the darkest times, and rejoiced at each others' accomplishments. Class of 2003, we are unique. As Mr. Pearl reminded me a few weeks ago, "no other class has achieved such high SAT scores while also proving to be Chilton's most wild class." I would like to think that we will be remembered for both. No class had pulled both a freshmen and senior prank until our class did, and personally I think the pigs and mice were kind of cute actually, the baby oil was hard to get off clothes though.
The future belongs to those who believe in the power of dreams, and we are all believers. Many of us, me included, have trouble imagining life after high school, imagining life where we are the adults. Yet that moment is upon us, we are at the brink of our futures, the futures we never really expected to come. Do not be afraid of the future, for it is not already planned out. Seize the day, we all are behind the wheel of our own lives and we get to choose where we go. As you travel down the road don't forget the essentials: fifty cents to call home, a tissue to wipe the tears that will fall, and something to make you smile.
Class of 2003 this is it, in a few minutes we will be high school graduates. As we walk across this stage, we start a new chapter in our lives; never forget the good times though. New memories are waiting to be made, never forget this day, the day we all grew within.
Class of 2003 you will always be close to my heart; I do not bid you good bye, but I rather say, see you later!
Rory smiled as the crowd applauded, but did not move. "One last thing before I go," she smirked as she pulled something from her pocket, "I wanted to be the first to give you a present Logan." Rory finished as she tossed him a set of keys to a 2003 BMW motorcycle. "You have to wait to see what they go to though sweetheart." She beamed as he gave her a questioning look.
Logan looked at the set of keys Rory had tossed him; he couldn't help but wonder what they went to. With his other hand he checked to make sure her gift was tucked safely inside his breast pocket.
The Huntzburgers, Haydens, and Gilmores swarmed on the new graduates as soon as the ceremony had commenced. Rory picked her way through the hoard of family members until she finally found Logan.
"Hey Ace." He whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Hey yourself."
"So, what do these go to?" He teased as he held the keys.
"You have to kiss me to find out." Rory smirked.
"Well I certainly won't object to that." Logan replied as he leaned into kiss her.
"Ooh, such a cute picture." Emily cooed as they kissed. "Look Shira isn't that precious the two of them in their caps and gowns kissing."
"So my dear," Mitchum smiled as he wrapped an arm around Rory, "what did you toss Logan."
"Keys."
"Keys to what?"
"Well it's right there." Rory smiled as she looked at a metallic blue motorcycle sitting in the parking lot with a red bow.
"Are you kidding me?" Logan asked astonished.
""Nope, it's all yours." Rory beamed as Logan picked her up and kissed her.
"Well, if we're doing gifts," Logan began as he reached into his pocket, "I believe it is time for me to give you your's."
"Copycat." Rory jested as she pulled a set of keys from small box.
"Hey I had no idea, I was trying to be unique." Logan laughed.
"Well what do they go to Huntzburger?"
"Well, you see there wasn't anywhere to park it around here."
"What?"
"Well you can't park a boat on land you Ace?"
"Oh my God Logan you got me a boat!"
"Ya, well I figured trying to use other peoples' boats doesn't really go well, maybe you'd have better luck with your own." He grinned. "I love you Rory.
"I love you to Logan." She whispered as she intertwined her hand in his and led him toward the motorcycle.
"Two helmets?" Logan asked.
"Well ya, you couldn't expect me to not want to ride on it." Rory laughed.
"Alright Ace." Logan conceded as he handed her a helmet, "Hey dad, we'll meet you guys back at the Hayden's" He shouted as he and Rory sped out of the parking lot.
I'm getting discouraged here, not many people are reviewing anymore . . . hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review it means so much! love!