Valedictorian Lucy Hernandez: 'Do things that intimidate you'

Good evening Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education members, teachers, staff, friends, family and, most importantly, the Class of 2026.

Thank you all for being here to support and celebrate us tonight and for supporting us throughout our time in school.

As a first-generation graduate, I know I may not have made it this far without the lessons from my teachers, support from my friends and community and, especially, the love and support from my parents, who gave me the opportunity to become the best student I could be.

So I thank you all again, as your influence guided and shaped us into the individuals we are today, and we are forever grateful for that.

It took me some time to think about what my final parting words would be, and I feel it is meaningful to share a story about personal and academic growth.

It wasn’t until I entered high school that I began to build the courage to express myself and pursue my goals. Before that, I often doubted myself and shrank myself down to be less than what I was. I took easier classes and kept my ideas to myself because I believed I was not capable of achieving success.

When I was in ninth grade, I worked to shift my mindset to discover my passions and create an experience I would look back on without regrets. I had to break free of the limitations I put on myself.

This first step began with a public-speaking experience at a Model United Nations conference. My hands and voice were shaking, and I nervously twirled my hair, but I delivered a speech and walked back from the front of the room feeling proud.

I realized that though it was intimidating and my speech wasn’t perfect, I was able to do something I never had before: something I would have once perceived as impossible.

That lesson, though simple, has become the foundation of what has motivated, challenged and helped me grow and achieve success.

I stand here tonight and speak to you all with nostalgia and pride rather than fear.

I can definitely say it does get better, but I want you all to know that you have the power to make it better as you endure challenges, reach out to those around you and grow through self-reflection because, despite any hardship or insecurity, that power is within us all.

So as we move on to the next steps of our lives, some of us future educators, some of us future medical professionals, tradesmen or military personnel, no matter what our futures have in store, it’s important to remember those tiny but defining moments. I encourage you to do things that intimidate you, say the words you would have left unspoken, sit at that new lunch table and never feel too proud to ask for help.

Facing fears, overcoming challenges and doing the hard things will give us the courage to be our truest selves and rise to our potential.

And once we can do that, the possibilities are limitless.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.