We did it!!!
I knew we would…most of the time.
Last night’s commencement exercises were short and sweet, just how everyone likes ’em. All the speeches and words of wisdom were so inspiring and thoughtful!
The first half of the ceremony was actually terrifying for me since my heartbeat was sprinting away from me as I waited to deliver my speech. At the very beginning of the ceremony, I also messed up the words to the alma mater when I sang it on stage with the rest of the chorus members. Woooooo.
Sam, the salutatorian, delivered a wonderful, funny speech to welcome everyone to the commencement. When it came time for my speech, I breathed my first sigh of relief when I made it on stage without face-planting the floor in my high heels. Then I breathed a second sigh of relief when some people laughed at my bad jokes. Finally, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I finished the speech.
PS— when my principal introduced me, he mentioned THE BLOG.
PPS— I’m quiet??
PPPS— Here is my brother’s quasi-rap commencement speech from 2011. If you want to laugh, watch it!
Of course I had to make my speech about social media, right?
My mom was all over the place last night. If she wasn’t snapping photos of me in the back, she was manning the video camera. The school should have just hired her to be the pro photographer of the evening.
I think I’m finally starting to get a little emotional about this whole leaving high school thing. At least I have three graduation parties this weekend!
Pam! Dance and school buddies since the beginning.
Jeannine and Veronica (we were missing Je’lyn!)
The Times Square after-prom crew
Brianna, Kristi, and Sam (amazing salutatorian!)
Thank you for coming, Sister Sandy and Auntie Earnest!
Proud to follow in his footsteps
I kept telling people during the commencement ceremony: “I’m hungry.” So I was more than ready to eat some (read: a crapton of) sushi at my favorite restaurant afterwards!
I also requested Cold Stone ice cream afterwards. Dad, Ben, and I shared a “gotta have it” (large) size of mint ice cream mixed with oreos. If you ever go to Cold Stone, have that combination— you won’t regret it.
It was like mint cookies and cream!! How could you say no?
This post is uber late today because a) I was spending all last night uploading photos to Facebook; b) I slept until almost noon today. Hello, summertime sleep schedule! 😉
Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you have a fantastic weekend.
So tell me:
…I dunno…What are you doing this weekend??
Daily Moves and Grooves 
Congrats girl!!!!! 🙂 it must feel amazing!
Thanks, Liz!! It does feel great!
Your speech is amazing, Alison! Congratulations on graduating. =)
I was totally thinking the same thing through my graduation: “I’m hungry”. lol.
Have a great weekend, Alison!
Thanks, Helen! LOL, food is always on the brain. 😉
Ahhh yayayaya! So happy and proud of you Alison! And what a great speech! Not to mention one heck of an introduction! 99.52 GPA🙌 we have a genius among us folks😜 anywhoooo, congrats grad and am so excited to see what God has in store for you😘 have a fantabulous weekend!
Ps thanks for accepting my friend request!
Thanks so much, Katie!! 🙂
Congrats, love 🙂 Your speech was fantastic, and that’s so cool that your principal mentioned your blog. Eeee so happy for you 🙂 And BIG things ahead, I’m sure!
Thank you, Amanda! 🙂
Hi Alison! How amazing was your speech?? Awesome! You are such a good speaker! Congratulations on graduating! Good luck with everything in the future…and enjoy the summer sleep schedule 😉
Thanks, Ann!!
You are just a wonderful human being! Congratulations again, it really goes to show that if you give everything to life and do your best then you are rewarded in wonderful ways (: your speech was fantastic, and I loved that you used the theme of Instagram! I think so many speeches can be monotonous and stereotypical, but you made it interesting and relevant. And I LOVE that your principal mentioned your blog! You have inspired me to get my health together so I can start putting my all into studying which is my passion! You have a very bright future ahead of you xxx
Congratulations, Alison! You inspire so much pride from the family and friends around you. Stay happy, and best of luck on your next adventure!
Congrats buddy- you are epic and your mum needs to be hired by TMZ.
Enjoy the parties this weekend, and promise me when I visit we will have a midnight hide and seek in times square…take a picture of me with a kodak.
Thanks, buddy! YES we must play hide and seek in Times Square when you visit. Kodak moment for sure.
LOVE the speech!! I had to give a speech at my 8th grade graduation last year and it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, yet also one of the most rewarding. You did awesome. CONGRATS on being the valedictorian! You deserve it so, so much!!
Thank you so much, girl! Speaking at that formal of a ceremony is always nerve-wracking, but you’re right— so rewarding!
congrats again on graduating! you look absolutely stunning in all of the photos! and i 100% approve of the post-graduation sushi and coldstone feast. sounds like my kinda night 😉 hope you are enjoying your summer so far girlie!
Thanks, Julianna!! Hope you’re having a fantastic summer too!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I’m so disappointed I didn’t get your email until after the fact. I bet Arman was on the edge of his seat waiting for awkwardness to unfold.
Anyways, this is such a magical time in your life and I’m so happy for you, friend. You look radiant in your grad photos! 🙂
Thanks, Jo!! It’s totally okay. I literally emailed you all when I was being pushed out the door to get to the ceremony.
Thank you for all your kind words and support, girl ♥
you’re incredible. Seriously, big things coming for you in this world. Keep being amazing and I hope you stalk on Snapchat too cause I’m gonna need some serious college selfies thank you.
Thanks, girl ♥ Will do. I’ll keep ’em PG, promise.
Congratulations Alison!! What an amazing speech you gave and what an amazing job you did in school. I can only imagine where the next for years will take you! I will be eager to follow!
Thank you so much, Kim! Best of luck to your son as well!
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