Unable to attend the Pattonville High School graduation ceremonies last week? No need to fret! The school district sent us copies of speeches made by students Madison King and Aaron Gershman.

Editor's Note: We made a few changes here and there for spelling, capitalization and syntax. Aside from those changes, the text is verbatim what Pattonville School District forwarded us.

Madison King

We are told many lies growing up. It all begins with that big white feathery bird, commonly referred to as the stork. Or as we later find out, perhaps two storks. Then, in fifth grade I was told nine planets filled the sky just to find out in seventh grade that that was a lie and Pluto was not legit. I was told drinking milk every day made you big and strong. I don’t know if it this podium hides it but I am only 5’3”. So when my freshman principal told us, “there are only two types of students in this world. Thos that go to Pattonville, and those that wish they could” I was skeptical. I yearned to find that characteristic that truly defined Pattonville.  I looked at other schools and saw the same sports, clubs, and programs. I realized Modern society has forgotten what it means to be an individual, forgotten what it means to be a person. For we are not human do-ings, but rather human beings. John Wooden once said, “Ability may get you to the top, but character is what it takes to stay there.” I look out and I don’t just see students, but I see scholars driven to perform with excellence no matter how big or small their goal might be. I don’t just athletes, but I see champions, of the heart. I don’t see musicians, or actors, or artists, but I see creators and innovators of thought and wonder. So, I don’t just see another graduating class; I see unique combinations of gifts and talents that when put together form something truly spectacular. This ceremony is not to recognize every little thing we have done in the past four years, but it is to show who we have become. It is a time to show everyone here supporting us, what’s coming next. The Mayan’s predicted our defeat simply because they had not met us yet. And that’s the truth. So, Congratulations to the Pattonville class of 2012.

Aaron Gershman

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen—I hope everyone was able to find parking okay. I’m sure there are still spots available at Grace Church.

Class of 2012, this is the start of a new phase in our lives, and an end to our tax-payer funded school days. The next generation of engineers, artists, oboe players; filmmakers, writers, and neo-Soviet revolutionaries, are soon to be moving into the real world. It is just beyond these walls that our future awaits; where our dreams will unfold. The past is over, and though we look back with fond memories, it is the future that beckons to us now. This graduation is our send-off.

Friends, there are two kinds of Pirates in this world. The Pattonville Graduating Class of 2012…And Dangerous International Sea-Fairing Boat Hijackers. The two kinds of Pirates may share the same name, but we are very different in principal. We—the former—symbolize the future of greatness. We personify perseverance and endurance. We walk and talk, We stay to the right. The later are Dangerous International Sea-Fairing Boat Hijackers.

Underclassmen, we hope you enjoy the full parking lot, and your laptops, and your stadium, and your swimming pool, AND the moodle. But we’re not bitter. The Pattonville community has provided us with the support and resources we need to excel. Dr. Fulton and the Administration (that sounds like an awesome band name, by the way) have been instrumental in maintaining the peace in these hard economic times.

I’d like to give a special shoutout regarding Dr. Dobrinic, too. He has been involved in and supportive of athletics and activities. On a personal note, I’d like to thank him for supporting the Pattonville Robotics Club (who, by the way, recently competed in the International Championship), because he moved us from working out of an asbestos-laden supply closet, to a full-sized asbestos-laden classroom. In all seriousness, we’re very thankful for that; you don’t know how much it means to us. The entire class is very happy to have you as our principal.

Our administrators and teachers have put great effort and hope unto us. We cannot let them down. We will not let them down. The time has come to put aside petty High School drama and destructive criticism; to put aside ill will and the blaming of others. The real world which lay before us just outside this dome is not a scary place. No, the real world is the matter of facing what is ahead of all of us; the responsibility of being an adult.

Friends, we are the embodiment of struggle and success; wreckage and rebirth. The road ahead of us will not be an easy one, but we already knew that—After all, we’re the class of 2012. We graduate the year the world ends.

We stand together in our joy and success. This is a day when we unite in our resolve for a better tomorrow—not just for ourselves, but for the community; for America; for the World, and for Outer Space.

So I say to you, future engineers, artists, and oboe players; future filmmakers, writers, and neo-Soviet revolutionaries—we have all withstood difficult times, but the future is ours; to make of it what we want.

Pattonville Class of 2012; Congratulations.

(And may the odds be ever in your favor).