Valedictorian Judi Foster's speech:
After taking the fourth
test, I was feeling really positive because I thought I had done well. Maybe even made an A, but when I got my test back it
looked like it was bleeding it had so many red marks on it. That particular test had a lot of short answer questions, so I
had written everything I could remember in response to the questions. I looked at my notes and the Power Points, and it appeared
to me that, although my answers were not exactly the way it was written, they were really close. So, with much trepidation
I approached Jac, and trying to be diplomatic I said, "I'm not questioning that it is incorrect, but why is this answer
wrong?" And Jac, with that look on her face that is so intimidating, said, "Because it is not right."
That was when I realized this crazy woman expects us to memorize every word of this stuff, verbatim! If they
haven't shown you before, have your family member show you just how much information we covered in a weekend. I wasn't sure
if I had enough brain cells 25 years ago when I graduated from college to do that, and I was sure I didn't have enough now.
We soon learned, however, that there was method to Jac's madness. We learned the importance
of doing it Jac's way, even if the only reason was that was the way she wanted it. It became apparent that what she
was trying to do, was prepare us for jobs as paralegals. She demanded perfection because perfection would be required of us.
She didn't suffer fools lightly because the attorneys we will one day work for won't either. She drilled into us that there
are no excuses in the law, there are consequences, and while in the classroom the consequence is a bad grade, that is nothing
compared to the possible consequences to a client if you make a mistake.
Jac, you'll be
proud to know - we got it, and we appreciate you for it. You are an incredibly hardworking, dedicated professional. Your love
of the law and your passion for the causes you believe in are an inspiration to us all. It has been an honor to be your student.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our families for their love and support. We could not
have made it without your patience and understanding. Thank you.
Completing this class, has been time consuming,
demanding, challenging and rewarding. At one time or another we all questioned whether we could do it all, but I, as did everyone
graduating here today, persevered. Some of us did so in spite of personal tragedies, pressure at work and multiple curve balls
that life tends to throw at the most inopportune times.
I have developed a tremendous respect
for all of my classmates. They have been open and kind, accepting and tolerant, and generous to a fault. I am blessed to have
you as my friends.
And finally, in addition to the skills we have learned in preparation of being paralegals,
we will never forget how to spell definitely, and hopefully, we will never feel something that we actually think.
