This year marks 20 years since I was in the same auditorium as you were last night, sitting with my classmates and celebrating my own high school graduation. As I sit back and reflect over the past five years that we have been together, I think the reason that I am especially proud of your class is because I see so many similarities between the Class of 2014 and 1994. Upon becoming your principal, my number one priority was to restore the "Bluehawk Pride" that I experienced as a student at Hudson High School and that I felt had diminished recently. I am a firm believer that students will not achieve in a school they don't like attending and I thank all of you for helping me to achieve that goal. In my over ten years in the district, I do not a recall a class with so many students that were not only thrilled to graduate but sad to be leaving Hudson High. As you can tell from my emotions yesterday, I feel the same way. Your class has embraced this mission and restored my faith that Bluehawk Pride is alive and well once again.
As each of you begin to close this chapter of your lives and begin a new one, celebrate all that you have to be proud of with those that helped you achieve, never accept anything less than your personal best and, above all, don't forget where you came from. As Mike Arterberry said to you last night, everybody has dirt on their backs. It's what you choose to do with it that will make all the difference.
You have fulfilled the first part of our mission "Together We Learn." It is now time to begin working on the latter "Tomorrow We Lead." I will be doing my best to keep track of all of you and can't wait to brag to others about all of the future accomplishments from the members of HHS Class of 2014.
Thank you for letting me a part of such a special time in your lives.