Heleena Erickson's graduation speech

Heleena Erickson, was one of three Fryeburg Academy seniors asked to deliver keynote speeches by their classmates at graduation on Sunday afternoon. The following is her speech.Throughout my years in high school, I have heard many seniors say how quickly senior year goes by, and how stressful it is. I never fully grasped this until this year, my own senior year. Let me tell you, it was definitely a shock to realize just how stressful it truly is. I'm sure my fellow students here would agree. I was reflecting on this thought one day, as I have often done in the past few months, and a song by Gary Allen came on the radio. I had heard this song before, but this time it caught me off guard. The first two lines of this song mirrored the thoughts in my head: "Life ain't always beautiful. Sometimes it's just plain hard."I was taken aback when I heard these words again because this year we as a community have faced so many hardships, hardships which, added to the stresses of being a senior, have made this class' last year in high school particularly rough.For starters, as everyone has no doubt heard numerous times, the Gibson Gym burned down in mid-October. This event in itself threw a monkey-wrench into our entire year. The loss of our gym meant the loss of the place in which assemblies, sports meets, dances, and several other events have taken place for so many years. Also gone with the gym was the senior tradition of painting the roof of the maintenance building, since it was razed to make way for the new complex. As if the pain of losing our gym was not enough, grief struck again, several times, in the form of tragic death. We lost friends, colleagues, classmates, and family.Yet despite all of the tragedies and hardships that have plagued this year, through the generous support of the community, and with our own refusal to accept defeat, we have managed to always find light even after what Mr. Lee calls "our darkest hour." We've found all of the good that has come from all of the bad.We have overcome, conquered, and totally kicked bottom!The ability of this class to make it through this unusually difficult and stressful year displays great determination, maturity, strength, and finesse. When I look around me today, I can see these same characteristics etched in the faces of my fellow seniors. I can see the drive within these young men and women, and although I may not know just where this drive is going, I am certain that it is going somewhere. As the older generations say, we young people are the future, and I'm telling you right now, the future is very promising.So, to my fellow seniors, my final words. We are all strong and amazing people, each with our own interests and talents, and all with the ability to have a positive impact on the world. After today, we face the real world. This road we have all been traveling down together for so long will fork into many new directions, and we will all go our separate ways. Some paths will be bumpier than others, some more pleasant, but all will lead to somewhere wonderful. So, Class of 2006, as the song goes, "Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride." So enjoy the ride!