Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, my fellow graduates.
Well,
we made it. And what a long, strange trip it has truly been. I can’t explain this adventure in words to those who haven’t
lived it. But, I can try to explain. If you’re here supporting any of the graduates seated before me, you’re in
the presence of one tough individual. This isn’t just A class. It’s THE class. It’s something we’ll
all look back on for inspiration and remember if we did this, we can do pretty much anything.
Others have
no idea.
It was brutal. Like a boot camp only with mind exercises but the same exhaustion, the same frustrations and the kind
of drill sergeant that screams in your face when you spell definitely wrong or your cell phone rings in class.
This class was
getting up while it’s still dark outside to take one last run through on your study flash cards. This class was gathering
in the hallway or in the lobby of the Hilton to guess what the bonus questions might be. It was sitting at midweeks and trying
not to flinch when Jac screamed, "I TOLD YOU THIS IN CLASS!" It was finding enough time in the five days between classes to
do three weeks worth of homework and study for two tests.
There are some things we won't soon forget about Jac's class.
Like huddling together in the frigid temperatures of the classroom (Jac kept the thermostat unreasonably low. I think I saw
my breath once.
Or what about when Josh played the “baby lawyer” during our mock interviews or when
Jennifer and I got spanked my Vickie and Kathryn during our mock arbitrations. Who could forget watching Adam’s perfect
the art of sleeping in class? For those of you who have never witnessed it, he can sleep sitting completely upright. He almost
looks awake. Like a horse sleeps kind of. It's pretty amazing.
This class also brought many of us to our knees. I
know I was brought to mine on several occasions. I learned to be accountable. I learned blaming myself for my mistakes, as
much as it hurt, taught me never to make them again. I often felt stupid, defeated and scared of not passing. Just when I
felt like I was on my last leg, Jac would pile on three extra homework assignments. Somehow I did it. Somehow we all did it.
I know we all thank our families for standing by us during our coffee-fueled late-night test cramming and relationship-testing
homework assignments.
My amazing parents paid for me to take this class, as I know is the case with many others. They
made this possible. I have no words to thank them properly.
And like many other spouses and significant others,
my husband stepped in and played my role in our family for 18 weeks. I found out how lucky I am to have such a wonderful husband
and understanding little girl. Their unwavering support was the root of my success.
And Jac, you crazy, militant, red
head. This class is nothing without you. You bludgeon our intellect with a touch of humor and a dash of truth that can only
be executed with grace by Jac Bleeping Brennan. Some of us loved you, some hated you, but it’s impossible not to have
jaw-dropping respect for you. The life-lessons I learned from you will take me farther than my career could ever go. Thank
you. It was an honor to be your student.
And all of us had our own personal goals. Some met, some missed by hair.
Although at some point we were all plagued by sickness, health, family issues, printer screw ups and traffic, ultimately,
it doesn’t matter how we got got to the finish line or what the score was. All that matters is that we’re here.
No of us got here without major sacrifice whether is was time, money, family commitments or sleep. Everyone who made it worked
their tail off to be in this room at this moment. We got what we came for. And after all the blood, sweat, tears, gasps, groans,
red ink and guest speakers, here we are and we're better for it. We made it.
Melissa Vargas Wethe
Valedictorian
