The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

ASHLEY KOENIG

Ewing Public Schools salutatorian

Ladies, gentlemen, parents, friends and faculty, good afternoon. Today we celebrate the Ewing High School class of 2020.... the final roar. It is crazy to think that I was supposed to be giving this speech 85 days ago. That was the day the class of 2020 was supposed to graduate, but then a global pandemic happened. It robbed this class, and so many other senior classes, of the end of their senior year. We never got to have an awards banquet, a skip day, or a last day where we said a proper goodbye to our teachers and the school.

Although the pandemic was unexpected, we made it through. Our class was one of many to make history,and today we will finally receive our well-deserved diplomas.

I have made countless memories with my classmates during my 13 years of high school. I remember the first day of freshman year when we were all terrified, yet so excited, to begin our high school journey. Those four years went by in a flash. The memories I made with you amazing people will never be forgotten. You guys have been by my side through so many things. I hope that I will be able to stay in touch with every single one of you. You guys are some of my best friends and I am so grateful to have spent my high school years with you.

I would like to say a special thanks to all of the teachers who taught me through all these years. You are people who I could trust with just about anything. You not only taught me math, science and history, you taught me how to be a good person. It was an incredible honor to be taught by every single one of you, and I cannot thank you enough for teaching me everything that you have.

I would like to thank my family for all the support and love they have given me these last four years. You have been my support system and I honestly cannot think of better people to have had by my side through everything. All my aunts and uncles who came to so many of my volleyball and basketball games. My grandpa and grandma, you guys hardly ever missed a game. You would travel all over just to watch me. You have always been there for me, and I truly cannot imagine what it would have been like without you. My siblings: Natasha, Katie, and Michael, thank you for always being there for me when I needed advice or just someone to talk to. I can't imagine not being able to go to your house and talk to you whenever I need you. Finally, my parents. You guys have helped guide me through any and all problems. You have always been my shoulder to cry on or my biggest hype men. I truly cannot thank you guys enough for everything you have done. My last 18 years would not have been near what they were without your help and reassurance. I truly had the best support system through my high school years and I hope that you all will continue to stay by my side through the rest of my life.

Finally, I am beyond honored to be the last salutatorian to give a speech for Ewing High School. This school has been an amazing institution. All the parents who came to the games and cheered for us. They would help to provide food and support throughout the whole season. The support that backs the students of this school is unimaginable and could never be matched. Yes, we are the last graduating class of Ewing High School, but we are also the beginning of a new era. We were among the firsts to play sports as Summerland. I am so grateful to have been part of that transition. I hope to come back to this area one day and raise my own family at the Summerland school. Thank you everyone for making my high school years some of the best years of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up.