The Valediction

Good afternoon Brentwood. I am immensely grateful to stand here as your Valedictorian. Thank you for accepting me despite my mullet, my nut allergy, and all the classes I slept through. Sorry Mom.

I was once told to picture the audience naked when you’re feeling anxious. I don’t know who decided that but they need to talk to someone. When selected to write this speech, I was filled with excitement and after about five seconds I was like “Oh my, I have to deliver this speech!” That moment, for me, was one of the most nerve-racking and special moments I’ve felt.

There are a ton of things I don’t know much about going to highschool because Brentwood is no ordinary place. Not just because they take our phones at night and force us to sleep or else we do physical labor for them. I know that Brentwood is like no other highschool because our barbershop is in the bathroom and our barbers are extremely under qualified. I know Brentwood is unique because we clap every 30 seconds during Assembly. Brentwood is so unique that we quite literally compete against each other in events like they do in fantasy novels about Harry Potter.

To the Grad Class of 2023, we have finally made it. Although, for some, it may have felt like an eternity and, for others, like a dream, we are all sitting here today ‘cap and gown ready’ to walk that stage. I would like to start off with some thank yous.

Thank you TCH for always being a teacher, an editor and a friend. If it wasn’t for your guidance and mentorship I would not have half the confidence to be up here today. Although you were a small portion of my Brentwood career you played a big part.

Mr Gage, thank you for welcoming me into Whittall House with the utmost love and understanding. Your calm, convincing compassion pushed me to take a risk, get on that bus and have the opportunity to meet Jago and Finn while we slept in the attic at Strathcona. You are the reason why I was able to experience my Grade 9 Strathcona trip and come out of the locked bathroom where I had cried because I was too scared to go.

To all the teachers who never lost hope in us. All the kitchen and cleaning staff, especially the ones in Whittall, we are sorry for the messes - and the pets.

To Youki, your friendship and bond you have created with me is lifelong. You continue to inspire me to do better every day and push the limits. Growing up in highschool was 10 times better because you were in it. Everyone has a Youki in their lives. Kaelin has his Taiyo. Jago has his Noe. Laila has her Anna. Mitch has his Sophia and Bud has his PJ. The examples go on. What I am trying to stress is that there is someone for everybody to be thankful for today. So take a moment this afternoon to thank someone close to you. These last years together have made some pretty strong connections worth being thankful for. This also serves as warning for those of you in grade 9. Don’t take these moments together for granted. The time will pass you by and instead of complaining about doing a Number 1 before break, you’ll be begging for just one more. One more chance to fail for bedtime. One more chance to mess with your roommate because, as we all realize, eventually one more time becomes the last time.

Finally thank you to the Grads for everything you have done for me. You not only trusted me with representing you all on this extraordinary day you also made my journey that much better. Like I said earlier, Brentwood is no ordinary place. This is the only place where you can wander into some random person’s room and find a friend for life. The only place where finding time to do everything is an issue. Thank you for all the memories we have shared together and thank you for making my highschool years worth it.

Over my five years attending this school I’ve learned numerous things pertaining to this #choosetobe lifestyle. I choose to attend this beautiful school, it’s just that I have to go to school on Saturdays. I choose to be resilient, it’s just sometimes I have to take a Health Centre day. I choose to stand here on this stage, but I have to wear black socks. Well. I’m supposed to. Today’s are yellow!

Because we are the 100th anniversary Grad Class we should be allocated some sort of parting gift. This milestone in Brentwood history is something that should be celebrated. Someone told me that the Board of Governors is here so this message is directed towards them: Can we please get a small token of appreciation such as nice lil pin, or a fun pair of socks, or half of our tuition back. Please.

I actually have one more thank you, and it’s actually a thank you that all the current Brentwood students owe to us as a Graduating Class: we were the first. That’s right. We were the first ever year of META 9. We were the guinea pigs. META is short for metamorphosis, or change. My understanding of the Acadian people changed, my appreciation for cardboard boats changed, and Thomas Paul’s Zoom password changed. What a ride.

Listen, putting twenty 14 year olds in a room together is never a good idea. Now try 90. it was our reality. And it was one that I am so glad we all experienced. At a bare minimum, the interactivity of MEAT (sorry sorry that’s a typo) META, allowed me to get to know all of you on a personal level and I am so happy that I did.

I do have one apology to make. To you Ms Legassicke. I must confess that I never did that Acadian People’s worksheet, it’s up here with me now.

But our metamorphosis is complete. It’s time to leave the stage. I will leave you with some final words of wisdom, from one of our of 2023 graduates, Param: “Peace boys, I’m out”.

Davis Pettit, Whittall ‘23, Valedictorian