David Flores Graduation Speech

David Flores – Graduation Address – June 9, 2021

Are we ever ready for a new change? I don’t think so. However prepared we may seem, change always happens, and sometimes it can be good. I got to Brandeis in the sixth grade, and let’s just say I wasn’t happy. I had friends I knew for years and I did not want to leave my old environment. I felt like half of me was torn from the other half. On the first day of school, I walked up the stairs to Brandeis Marin with mixed emotions. It was a great school, but would it be the same?

It’s funny because I recall telling myself that I would sit in the corner of the room and isolate myself no matter what. I thought it was a good idea at the time but it didn’t last very long. I have a memory of English class where I was trying to keep my head down and let other people talk, but Ms. Daniels wouldn’t allow that to happen. She continued to ask me questions and put me into a conversation that I couldn’t resist. And just a few weeks later, I felt like I couldn’t stop talking.

I’ve never felt alone at Brandeis Marin, and I’ve never felt more at home. Just the little things that make this place special, like our deep conversations about Moses and the Israelites with Mr. E, talking about Mr. Friedman’s youth in Social Studies, explaining what narwhals look like in tutorial with Mrs. Daniels, and laughing with my friends till we couldn’t breathe at the lunch tables. I thought I would be torn in half when I got here when in reality, I’ve never been more whole here, and even though there were some downs, there we even more ups. This community has helped me through change time and time again, and as I leave for high school, they’ve made me realize how much love this community really has. 

Although I have only been here for three years, I feel like I’ve been here my whole life and the idea of leaving this place makes me want to curl myself up in a ball and hide in these four walls we call Brandeis Marin, but with the knowledge I have gained through the last three years, I will be able to guide myself in the next chapter, high school.

I want to thank the teachers and staff for being my guidance through middle school and always being there whenever I needed help with anything, or just to have a conversation with them. I want to thank my friends for making this journey a lot easier (and funnier). I want to thank my parents for always pushing me to be the best I can be, and working harder than I’ve ever seen in anyone else so that I could be happy. And thank you to all of Brandeis for helping me find my other half. This community will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget you. Thank you