GRADUATION SPEAKER: FARAHNAZ NAZARY

Good evening. I would first like to welcome all of the parents, friends and family of the Class of 2023. I would like to say special thanks and welcome to the Board of Education, high school administration, faculty, alumni and distinguished guests. I would like to thank all my wonderful teachers who inspired me to believe in myself and be good, smart and strong. My beloved family, especially my mother, for joining us on this special night. Thank you for your unconditional love and unwavering support, countless sacrifices that have opened many doors for me to grow and succeed, and for all the little things you’ve taught me along the way. Now to my fellow graduates. Congratulations my friends, we made it! This is a proud night for all of us.

Tonight I have the honor of addressing all of you about how the Bayless School District shows us how to be good through their teachers, staff, administrators, and students, especially the class of 2023. To share my personal story, I immigrated to the United States two years ago after my country, Afghanistan, collapsed in the hands of the Taliban. Panic was everywhere. We were no longer safe, we no longer had the right to study and work. We lost all our valuables. My family and I left Afghanistan to be safe, to have access to education and to have a better life.

When my sister and I came to Bayless, we were nervous, scared, and curious because everything was a new experience for us. At that time, I didn’t even know a single word in English. However, at Bayless I have had many kind teachers. They all helped me and inspired me to be a dreamer, a hard worker, helpful, respectful, and confident. They all helped me to determine a specific path through learning and education to reach my goals. In just one year, I became capable of learning, writing, and reading in English. I have realized it doesn’t matter what your background is as long as you put in hard work and dedication. The gates to the American Dream open wide for you at Bayless. During this short time, and with the cooperation of my teachers Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. Hoggatt, I was able to not only learn English, but write this speech and present it to you as the best version of myself.

These are some of my accomplishments, but as a class our accomplishments are far more impressive and wide-ranging. We, the Class of 2023, have shown just how good we are and how good we can make the future. Now we prepare to leave here tonight and begin the next phase of our journey. I wish each and every one of you all the success and happiness in the world. Wherever we go, we will never forget where we came from, and no matter how distant we are, we can always call Bayless home. Thank you.