Episode 142: Proud to Present the Graduating Class of 2022

Anthony Godfrey:
Hello, and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They have made memories to last a lifetime, sharing a love for learning, fostering great friendships and building a foundation for a great future. On this episode of the Supercast, we sit down with members of the Jordan School District Graduating Class of 2022 to find out how they are feeling as they head into a whole new chapter of their lives. 

Alex is here from Riverton High School. Alex, tell me about your graduation speech.

Alex:
Awesome. Yeah, I auditioned to give a speech and I got in. So I use the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world as a metaphor. It took 12 years to build and I use it as a metaphor basically to explain that we are the project spent on by thousands of people and unlimited resources to create these wonders in 12 years. And so, I love metaphors, and that was the one I chose.

Anthony Godfrey:
And it's a good metaphor. There are a lot of people who contribute to the growth of seniors and to where you arrive.

Alex:
Exactly. Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Can you tell me about some of those people?

Alex:
Yeah, of course. Some of my greatest mentors in high school have been Mr. Briggs. He was my history teacher last year and he is just so energized and then enthusiastic about everything he teaches and really just involves his students. And also my theater teacher, Mr. Eaton also is just an awesome example of how to work hard and really just like dive in head first into everything you do.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about some of your favorite classes over time. You talked about history and drama.

Alex:
Yeah. So yeah, I act and so I love my acting classes. I've been able to take a lot of them. I've been able to be on MDT, the Music, Dance, Theater class. It's the audition, you could call varsity, program at Riverton. And that's been an incredible experience to work with 28 other students and just, you know, all share our love we have for theater. It's been an incredible experience, we get to put on three shows a year. And so we get to where we're always busy at Riverton.

Anthony Godfrey:
And that's a power packed combination of talents. That's not, I can just sing or I can just dance or I can just act, that's everything put together.

Alex:
Yeah. It's the triple threat for sure.

Anthony Godfrey:
What will you miss most about school?

Alex:
I'll miss, I mean, the structure for sure. Having it built in and having somewhere to be and having something to do all the time. And also just like the comradery and the constant feeling that everyone is looking out for you. Cause I definitely feel, at least at Riverton, we have a very good community feeling. I constantly feel like, I don't know, there's always someone I could turn to. There's never been a moment where I'm like, ‘oh, I don't have anywhere to turn.’ If it's a teacher, an advisor, a VP you know, friends, I, you just always have someone to look to. I think the way we can find other people to look to as we go on, but it's kind of sad to close that chapter, the book and move on. It's a little bit surreal.

Anthony Godfrey:
The connections don't go away, but they change. Yeah. It's a great way of putting it. There's a schedule. There's something you're expected to do, you know, what's next, and you have a connection to people to help you help you get there.

Alex:
Yeah, no, it's nice for sure. 

Anthony Godfrey:
Would you read a portion of your speech for me?

Alex:
Yeah, of course. Yeah. 

‘Don't you see? We are the 12 year project, the work of thousands; faculty, students, coaches, friends, and family have worked to shape our todays and our tomorrows. So many have given of themselves to give us the tools so that each of us, in due time, may challenge the sky. As we go on to become the greatest creators of all time, I challenge you to never be content with mediocrity. To never falter with the wind in your face. To never take lightly the time and effort the people in our lives have taken and given to construct you. Finally, my fellow graduates, my friends, let us realize that the sky is no limit because for us, anything is possible.’

Anthony Godfrey:
Challenge the sky. I love that. That's great. Yeah. What's next for you?

Alex:
First I'll be serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Anthony Godfrey:
Where are you headed?

Alex:
I am headed to Kansas, Wichita.

Anthony Godfrey:
Kansas, Wichita. Nice.

Alex:
Yeah, I'm so excited.

Anthony Godfrey:
Have you been to Kansas before?

Alex:
No, no, I have not. I hear there are tornadoes and lots of open fields.

Anthony Godfrey:
And when you return, you'll be able to make jokes about not being in Kansas anymore, endlessly.

Alex:
I am so excited for that.

Anthony Godfrey:
As a  theater person, you'll have, you know, particular cred when you do that. 

Alex:
I will abuse the privilege. And then after that I'm headed to Utah State, most likely, unless things change, to pursue a business something. Maybe marketing, just something in the business field probably.

Anthony Godfrey:
But you have time to figure that out.

Alex:
Exactly. Yeah. That's the best thing about it.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, you're in a great spot and I'm glad it's been such a great experience. I've really enjoyed talking with you. I wish you the best. 

Alex:
Thank you so much.

Anthony Godfrey:
I'm speaking with Valentina from Copper Hills High School. Hi Valentina, thanks for talking with me this morning.

Valentina:
Thank you for inviting me.

Anthony Godfrey:
You're speaking at graduation. Tell me about your speech.

Valentina:
Basically I talk about the memories that we create from school and we're going to like, remember after school and even after college and all that stuff.

Anthony Godfrey:
Could you share some of it with me?

Valentina:
Yeah, sure. I think one of my favorite sentence, it's a word that I found on the internet, and it's ‘the flapping of a butterfly's wings in Ecuador can cause a hurricane in Texas. I know it sounds a little bit absurd, but that is exactly what happened to us. The whispers of the past that said ‘Study, keep going. You can do it’, became hurricanes and changed our lives. And all these events that have made us be here today. It's funny how for years we counted on vacation days, but this time it was a little different. We waited to finish school for so long that now at the end, we see how much we're going to miss it.’

I don't know. I think in my personal opinion, I have really good memories with some teachers. And I think like right now, when I see that, like I'm almost graduating, I think where I'm going to really miss, like having those times with those teachers and the classes of my classmates.

Anthony Godfrey:
Can you tell me about some of those teachers and some of those experiences?

Valentina:
I think like the teacher that I have most connections with were my two dance teachers that I have Miss Jennifer Fulger and Miss Anna Bay. They were like, like their personality was really similar to mine and I feel like they were like my family more than just teachers. And most of the time when I had trouble, I laid on them, like to talk to them. I really feel confident with them.

Anthony Godfrey:
That means a lot to have a relationship like that where you can have support from, from a teacher in that way. Tell me about some of your favorite classes from K-12. What were your favorite classes and grades?

Valentina:
I always had like straight A's or maybe right now I have like a B in Food class. I'm really bad at Foods. But I think my favorite class would be like Dance of course, and Ballroom. Maybe business classes, like Business Office or Economics. I'm taking college classes, and I have like an A I know that, Marketing or Retailing. Yeah, those are my favorites.

Anthony Godfrey:
It sounds like you had a wide variety of great experiences at school.

Valentina:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
What's next for you?

Valentina:
I'm planning to study at the University of Utah. And then later on maybe work at, I don't know. I was planning on the headquarters of Disneyland, something like that.

Anthony Godfrey:
That sounds like a great ambition. Can I get a couple of passes to Disney World?

Valentina:
For sure.

Anthony Godfrey:
Okay, great. I appreciate the hookup. Now, you've danced for how many years?

Valentina:
Since I remember I've been dancing. Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah. What's your favorite kind of dance?

Valentina:
I will say like contemporary.

Anthony Godfrey:
Okay.

Valentina:
But now that I'm taking like ballroom classes, I never took them since junior year, and I really like Salsa or Bachata, they're my two favorites.

Anthony Godfrey:
Are you going to continue dancing beyond high school?

Valentina:
I hope so.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah, that's great. What are some of the things you would say to students who are just starting out in high school? What advice would you give them?

Valentina:
Just create a balance between studying and also socializing. I think those two are really, really important during your school years. So like, keep your grades up and also like have time to enjoy with your friends or with your community. I think all those stuff are really important.

Anthony Godfrey:
Sounds like you've been able to strike a really good balance between those two.

Valentina:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about some of your friends. Do you wanna give a shout out to anybody?

Valentina:
To, I don't know, my best friends Anna, Patricia.

Anthony Godfrey:
What what's Anna been to you during high school?

Valentina:
She's been like a sister to me. Like every time that I've been like on my best or in my worst, I've been there for her and she's been for me. Like we always been together and I don't know, I feel like a really good connection with her.

Anthony Godfrey:
Sounds like you're fortunate to have each other. Well, I wish you the very best and I'm excited to hear your speech.

Valentina:
Yeah. Thank you.

Anthony Godfrey:
Congratulations. 

Valentina:
Thank you for inviting me.

Anthony Godfrey:
Stay with us. When we come back, we'll hear more from members of the graduating class of 2022.

Break:
Hello, I'm Tracy Miller, President of the Jordan School District Board of Education. There are seven members on the Board of Education, one in each voting district. We are committed to listening and serving our constituents as we work together to provide the best possible learning environment for the students we serve. As members of the Jordan Board of Education, we believe it is our duty and responsibility to: increase student achievement; provide parents with the choices they deserve and desire; recognize and reward quality in educators; empower school leaders through policy governance and professional development; and communicate with the public, legislators, business leaders, cities, and parents. We invite you to get to know the Board member who represents you in your voting district, and to please join us at our monthly board meeting held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Or listen from the comfort of your home, on our live stream. For more information and to find your Board member, visit jordandistrict.org. With parent and community input and support we will continue our work to give students every opportunity to succeed in Jordan District schools and beyond. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Anthony Godfrey:
We have Owen here from Herriman High School. Owen, would you mind sharing some of your speech with us?

Owen:
Yeah, of course. ‘Everything we did was an exchange. My lab group and I collaborated and thought through everything together to attempt to understand our very confusing experiments. If you did not understand the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions, how to do a titration without making it oversaturated, or the importance of significant figures, you just had to ask and someone would be willing to help you. We worked together as lab partners like athletes, musicians, or actors work together to make something better than any one person could create. I hope I remember to value the people in my classes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and family. And I hope that all of you will try to do the same.’

Anthony Godfrey:
That's a great message. We rely on each other. And you've learned to rely on others through high school.

Owen:
Yeah, for sure.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me more about that.

Owen:
Yeah, so I’m my  graduating class’s Valedictorian and I was trying to think about what message to write about. And I was just thinking about how my success is not just the product of myself. My success is really just the result of me and the people around me who helped support me throughout the four years of high school. So I just wanted to talk about how we should be more grateful and like show our gratitude for those in our lives for helping us bring guests to where we are today.

Anthony Godfrey:
That's a remarkable perspective. I was at the Herriman Senior Awards night and I saw you walk across the stage quite a few times. And for you to be focused on other people and their assistance and their role in getting you to where you are is really commendable.

Owen:
Yeah. I really try to make sure that everyone in my life is happy. And it's just been a very big goal of mine for a long time.

Anthony Godfrey:
You have a lot of accomplishments behind you already. What do you have in store after graduation?

Owen:
I will be attending the University of Utah. I will be majoring in biochemistry and then I will get a minor in Chinese and psychology.

Anthony Godfrey:
Have you been taking Chinese?

Owen:
I have, yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
From what age?

Owen:
Since I was six. I’ve been in Chinese immersion since 1st grade.

Anthony Godfrey:
Great. What's your favorite phrase in Chinese?

Owen:
Probably just like classic Huānyíng dàjiā. That just means like welcome everyone. Just because like throughout all of elementary school, that's just how our teachers would start most of our lessons and it's just welcome to everyone. I really liked it and it's just simple. 

Anthony Godfrey:
So not only have you studied Chinese for a long time, but you obviously enjoy it since you're going to pursue a minor.

Owen:
Yeah, I love it. My best friend is actually an immigrant from Hong Kong, China. So I've been trying, really trying to incorporate like the Chinese culture into my life for years now. And it's, yeah, I just love it. And I wanna learn more about it.

Anthony Godfrey:
Have you been?

Owen:
I have, yeah. I went in 2015 with my family when I was like 10. 

Anthony Godfrey:
Wow, that's incredible.

Owen:
It really was.

Anthony Godfrey:
And did it feel good to have the chance to use the language in China?

Owen:
For sure. I mean, it was obviously pretty challenging considering I was only 10 at the time.

Anthony Godfrey:
For sure. Sure.

Owen:
But yeah, it was a really life changing experience to be able to actually use something I'd been learning for the past five years.

Anthony Godfrey:
What has drawn you to biochemistry as a major?

Owen:
I've always really been in love with science, but I think the biggest reason I decided on biochemistry was my AP Chemistry teacher. Just because that class really drew me in and I really loved all of the content. It was one of my favorite classes last school year.

Anthony Godfrey:
And what is it about biochemistry content? Is it that you understand the world in a different way or what?

Owen:
I think it's just a very interesting perspective on the world because I think chemistry as a whole is a very overlooked subject, and chemistry, especially biochemistry is like literally everything. And I just think it's interesting to learn about how the world works on such a small level.

Anthony Godfrey:
The whole world is made up of chemistry.

Owen:
Yeah, exactly.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah. What are some of the things that you'll remember most about your K-12 experience?

Owen:
Probably just the people. I've had incredible people throughout my life, and they helped raise and support me, and they mean the world to me.

Anthony Godfrey:
Do you wanna give any shoutouts to anybody?

Owen:
Probably my chemistry teacher. Jessilynn Morton. She's an incredible woman. She's also our school's yoga teacher. So she's very versatile.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yoga and chemistry. Wow.

Owen:
Yep.

Anthony Godfrey:
That's impressive.

Owen:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
She's almost as impressive as Chinese and biochemistry.

Owen:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
You’ve got a great future ahead. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.

Owen:
Thanks for having me.

Anthony Godfrey:
We have Easton from Valley High School here. Easton you're speaking at Graduation this year.

Easton;
That's correct.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me some of what you're gonna be sharing with the class.

Easton:
A lot of it is kind of talking about how we are moving past this big chapter in our lives and it's now time to move on to a different path. Like we've been working towards school for 12 years now and it's probably, like everyone says, it's one of your first biggest achievements and now we're all finally leaving the nest. So it's time to move on to bigger things now. 

Anthony Godfrey:
Would you like to read a little portion of it?

Easton:
Yeah. So I have this one paragraph it says, ‘Author, Ken Poirot said “Today is the opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.” I think that's an important takeaway for all of us to remember. As long as you have the will and determination to pave the path for your future, there's no roadblock big enough to stop you. When you're in times of doubt, always keep in mind that you've all endured your own individual hardships, yet, you've come out on top. All your years of going to school support this. There have been times that it seemed hopeless, never ending, unbearable, or even just an all around undoable task. However, we all conquered the odds and proved to ourselves just how capable and tenacious we are. Don't lose that tenacity now that you're graduated. Much like everyone's favorite fictional boxer used to say, “It ain't about how hard you get hit, or it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” So keep moving forward. Never stop moving forward in the face of adversity. sSow the world how unwilling you are to quit.’

Anthony Godfrey:
Great. Inspiring. 

Easton:
Thank you.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about your time in school. What are some of your favorite memories from school K-12?

Easton:
Let's see. When I was, I guess a sophomore, I transferred over to Alta High School. And that's where I met and one of my closest friends, that I'm still best friends with today. And I can't really say I necessarily enjoyed going to school until I came to Valley. It was the first school that I wasn't miserable when I woke up in the morning, and I was looking forward to seeing all my teachers and just, yeah, being there. It's a good place to be for me.

Anthony Godfrey:
What was it about Valley that made it such a good connect for you?

Easton:
The schoolwork wasn't as overwhelming and they always tell you that the teachers there, they actually care about you. Like actually have connections with them. I'm friends with them and they're just really easy to, I guess, have a relationship with and thrive there.

Anthony Godfrey:
So it was connections with teachers that made the difference at Valley.

Easton:
Yeah, I would say so.

Anthony Godfrey:
What interests are you pursuing next?

Easton:
I want to go to a trade school in Orem called MTECH and I either want to become a mechanic or go into web design. I think those seem super interesting.

Anthony Godfrey:
Wow. That's a wide range of skills.

Easton:
Right? I think that'd be super cool.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah, that's great. Everybody needs someone that can fix their car and fix their computer. That's right.

Easton:
That’s right. Yeah, I get both ends of the deal.

Anthony Godfrey:
You're gonna be very very important. 

Easton:
Thank you.

Anthony Godfrey:
How does it feel looking back on a K-12 experience? What advice would you give to other students?

Easton:
I would say don't do what I did and start procrastinating and letting school work build up. Just get your schoolwork in while you can, so you can get good grades and it doesn't screw you over later. And also, just make the most of it because there are definitely times that I am gonna miss about. Cause I know school is definitely gonna be easier than going in the workforce and being an actual adult with responsibilities. So yeah, just make the most of being able to spend hours with your friends and doing, I guess, pretty easy school assignments and stuff like that.

Anthony Godfrey:
Great advice. Anyone you wanna give a shout out to?

Easton:
I would just say my friend Keegan. He was my only friend when I transferred to Alta. I was too scared to talk to anyone, but yeah, me and him became super great friends and like I said, we're still best friends to this day. And so I just really appreciate him being there for me. And yeah, we've been through a lot together.

Anthony Godfrey:
Sounds like you have a lot of years of friendship together ahead of you.

Owen:
Yeah, that's right.

Anthony Godfrey:

All right. Well, it's great meeting you.

Easton:
You too.

Anthony Godfrey:
Thanks for the time.

Easton:
Yeah, thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Anthony Godfrey:
We wish every student in the Graduating Class of 2022 the very best in the next chapter of their lives. We will always remember them as students who possess incredible strength and perseverance.

Thanks for joining us on this episode of the Supercast. Remember, education is the most important thing you will do today. We'll see you out there.