Download Zilong Zhao` Valedictorian Speech, 2012 @ Lakeland Zilong Zhao`s

Zilong Zhao’ Valedictorian Speech, 2012 @ Lakeland
Zilong Zhao’s Valedictorian Speech 6/1/2012
Good evening, my fellow classmates, parents, friends, and faculty members.
Today is the day that we are coming together, the Class of 2012 to celebrate our
own success in the completion of high school. It just feels great to be surrounded by the
young men and women with whom I’ve spent the most memorable years. Without your
company, I could not have achieved the honor to be standing here and to become who I
am today.
When I was a little boy in China, I had a dream about living in America which
was described as a paradise in the world. The goal of going to America motivated me to
learn more about this country. I have tried to learn English in every possible way. I took
night English classes, read English articles, listened to Voice of America and other
English programs with a short-wave radio. It was not easy, but I have never lost my faith.
When I went to Singapore to study abroad, I had difficulties in understanding the classes
which were taught in English. I had to use a dictionary to help me to understand the
textbooks. But whenever I felt the obstacles were too big to overcome, an inner voice
coming from my childhood dream echoed “no pain, no gain. …..” What has kept me
moving forward is this dream, a splendid dream called the American Dream.
My dream came to me after one year I spent in Singapore, I moved to my dream
land with my family and became a permanent resident of the great state of Pennsylvania.
I felt so fortunate to be able to come to this spectacular country, and more fortunate to
meet this group of lovely people at Lakeland. Experiencing schools in three different
countries, I can tell you | that there is no high school, more accepting, more welcoming,
and more compassionate than Lakeland. When I first came here, everything was new to
Zilong Zhao’ Valedictorian Speech, 2012 @ Lakeland
me: the language, the culture, the customs and traditions, but thank to my parents,
classmates and the faculty members, I never felt overwhelmed. I shall never forget when
Dr. Billings-Jones asked her son, Evan, to volunteer to tutor me in English during the
summer before I enrolled at Lakeland. I shall never forget the intelligent girl, Alex
Bernosky, who is always happy to help me with my English pronunciations. I shall never
forget my cross-country teammates, especially Brandon Carlo and Paul Szustakowski,
who had given me extra help during the season. The Class of 2012 has displayed too
much kindness to be mentioned. Just look at this group ----- aren’t they lovely?
After tonight, we will continue our journeys of life, but for the first time in many
years, we will be heading to different directions. But “♪Hey now, you are an all star, get
your game on, go play♪.” (these are lyrics from the song that the class 2012 chose as their
class song. " All Star" by Smash Mouth) That’s right, you ARE all stars now, get your
game on, go play and reach new heights in life. There will be obstacles, and there will be
setbacks; however, never lose your faith and always remember the years you spent in
Lakeland High. Remember the efforts you’ve made before you win your first home game,
remember the hours you spent before you win your mock trial or defeat your reading
team opponents. Remember the rehearsals you did before you present a marvelous drama
and remember the joy and satisfaction of this moment.
I want to share with you one last thing: dare to dream, set your mind on your goal,
pursue your passion, and your dream will come to you!
Farewell, my dearest classmates! Farewell, Lakeland High! I wish you the best of
luck!
Thank you very much!