Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 135 No. 4 Summer 2014 | Page 12

Valedictorian Speech
Thank you, all, for attending our graduation here today at the
Wisconsin School for the Deaf. I am honored to speak to my 2014
graduating classmates. I am very impressed with WSD staff for
encouraging all of us to be successful in the future by providing
challenging academics and giving us various opportunities in sports,
clubs, drama, and leadership skills. I believe that all members of
the Class of 2014 are prepared to have wonderful life experiences
and success in achieving their future dreams to find employment or
continue in college.
I joined WSD in 5th grade. I am not only deaf, but I also have
autism. My personal interests are different than most other people.
I have struggled to make friends because I am so shy. However,
my experiences at WSD have provided me with ways to excel
academically, behaviorally, and socially. Here I stand today speaking
to you as the WSD Class of 2014 Valedictorian!
I want to thank my family who has supported my education, spirit,
future planning, and independence. I want to thank all of the WSD teachers and staff who have helped us to
succeed, become more responsible, and prepared us for the real adult world. High school has gone by very fast,
although as freshmen we thought our time in high school would go on forever! We are now ready to follow our
individual dreams and to be good strong role models for others.
I pray for each of you, my fellow graduates to be able to use your gifts and skills for good in the world. I also
pray for the WSD staff to continue using their gifts and skills to help other Deaf students like me. Thank you all
for coming to our graduation, and good luck to my fellow graduates! ~ Alex Kubiske

Salutatorian Speech

Anna Dorst, WSD Salutatorian 2014, presented a lovely farewell address to her classmates at the graduation ceremony. Below are some of
her excerpts. For the full presentation, check out our WSD webpage in the next few weeks. Congratulations to the Class of 2014!

It’s hard to believe that we are already graduating. Some of you will say,
“YES! FINALLY!” Some of you will say, “I don’t want to leave school…”
We made many memories
at the Wisconsin School for
Deaf. We won sports championships, got all-star medals,
went to deaf camps, made
new friends from different
states, traveled to different
states for sports and special
events, and more…

Our time here at WSD has given us
many cherished memories. This is not
only the end of high school; it is also an
opportunity for new beginnings. You
will learn new experiences that you never had before. You can enjoy many moments in your life, but you will probably
have to face some bad situations, too.
You will remember WSD, what you’ve
learned during the school years…

Those experiences prepare us to impact the future of
deaf communities and help people recognize us for who
we are. For example, I went to Youth Leadership Camp,
which is an all national deaf camp, and it helped me to
become a leader for school, clubs, and even my future. ..
2013-14 Summer - 12

I want to say good luck to you as you go out into
the real world. I hope you keep chasing your
goals and your dreams to be successful. I want
to see you again with your goals completed and
with a successful career. Show them that you can
do it. I will miss you all and I love you all...

Memories of WSD will stay in your mind and your heart forever…