St. Charles North High School

by Frances Samolowicz, Salutatorian
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Good evening everyone. The Class of 2004 has always been told that we are a class of firsts, and this couldn't be more true. We played on the first varsity sports teams, published the first newspaper and yearbook, competed in the first academic team competitions, showcased our work in the first art show and the first musical concert, acted in the first play, and governed as part of the first student council. In at least one way, we are all a first for St. Charles North, because we are the first class to spend the entirety of our high school careers here.

As I have gone through these four years of firsts, I have heard many people describe how high school has changed them. Looking out at all of you, I can say that on the surface, we do appear different, but we are all essentially the same people we were at the beginning of high school. Lynn Hall once said, "We do not change as we grow older. We just become more clearly ourselves." We, like the many papers written throughout high school, have been revised into a final version. Four years ago, we walked in this building as timid freshmen, mere rough drafts of what we are today. During our time together, we have been edited, spell-checked, and polished into an outstanding final copy, ready to turn in. This final paper still contains the same thesis as the rough draft, just in a more perfect form. Now, as we sit here tonight, four years older and wiser, ready to begin our adult lives, we must realize that we have not changed so much as we have grown.

We have grown from celebrating our firsts, to cherishing our lasts. When we walked into school on August 27, it was our last first day of high school; the beginning of the end. We have played in our last games as North Stars and danced at our last prom, and finally, today, attended our last classes. Right now, we are four days away from saying our final good-byes to each other. And so, as we commemorate these remaining days of high school, we would do well to remember that even these good-byes are not the end. We may be experiencing the lasts of our high school careers, but the firsts of the rest of our lives are right around the corner. So linger now on high school memories, but as we embark on this next stage in our lives, remember to never be afraid to again step up and be the first.

For questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Todd Hewell