GRADUATION ISSUE Summer 2009 GRADUATION VALEDIctoRIAN’s ADDRESS Ana Christina Melara’09 Surprise! You’re all surprised to see me up here, right? I safe haven on the bayou. would like to wish a good morning to the Missionary Sisters Yes, we will struggle, of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the members of the Board of and yes, there will be Trustees, the administration, faculty, and staff of Cabrini High times when giving up School, and the family and friends of my fellow classmates. may appear to be the only When Mrs. Hrapmann called me at nine-thirty Monday morn- option, but ultimately, we ing to officially congratulate me on achieving valedictorian will succeed. I know that status, the only thing that was on my mind was going back we can do it, because to sleep. An hour later (after a considerably delightful nap), we have done it before. I I was running around the house in a panicked frenzy, finally know that you can do it grasping what was expected of me. This goal of being vale- because I’ve seen you. I dictorian was five years in the making, but really I had never have seen some of you considered how to address the very people who helped get bare your souls before me here. your classmates to express some unseen internal battle. I “Make it funny,” said the class clowns. have seen some of you cry tears of frustration, finally pushed “Make us cry,” said the sentimentals. to your limits. I have seen some of you at your lowest points, “Make it your own,” I was told by one Denise Theriot, struggling to get back up after a fall. But I have never seen and I intend to do just that. any of you broken beyond repair. Here you stand, testaments I doubt anyone of my classmates can look back at her to the undeniable spirit of the Cabrini student. years in high school and think, “That was really easy! I Before me are ninety-three women—ninety-three COMMENCEMENT 2009 would love to do that again!” Of course, this may change a distinct futures. Our futures are what we make of them. Until few years down the line, but as of right now, it holds true. this point, we have never fully been in control of our ability to Each one of us has our own tales of joy and sadness, our do so. Today is the day when our futures are now dependent own share of triumphs and defeats. We have each struggled solely on us. If, right now, you are struggling for what you equally to get to this day—the light at the end of the tunnel, want for yourself, if you are waiting for a sign to spur you the last lap of the grueling mile run. But I can tell you right forward, this is it. Take this as your sign, and take with it all now, the struggle is far from over. of your lessons, all of your heartaches and sweet memories, Our pasts are what and move forward. shape us into our pres- “We have been molded into women of substance, I would now ent selves, but they like to take this time need not define what challenged both mentally and academically. We to give special thanks we are to become. have been prepared for this day ever since we first to the people who While we cannot stepped into that safe haven on the bayou.” helped put me up change the past, we here. possess the ability to determine our futures. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Today marks the day when we finally step out of the faculty of Cabrini High School. I know at times it may have protective shelter of high school to do just that. For some of seemed that anything you said to us went in one ear and us, that entails staying close to home to test our newfound out the other, but we really do care about you. Without your freedom before completely entering the adult world. For oth- guidance and support, I probably would not be up here. You ers still, it means a complete departure from the comfort and serve as inspirations and mentors; my fears have more than familiarity of home to attend universities across the country. once been placated by what you advise. Thank you, thank Cabrini has gifted us with the tools necessary to suc- you, for playing such a vital role in our high school lives and ceed in our futures, wherever we may end up. Instilled within for nurturing our minds with such care. each of us are the core values of respect, excellence, and I would like to thank my family for their unending, ever- service—attributes that will surely aid us in the difficulties lasting support in all of my endeavors. Words cannot possibly to come. We have been molded into women of substance, express what we as a family have been through to get to this challenged both mentally and academically. We have been point. Ma and Daddy, I cannot tell you enough how much you prepared for this day ever since we first stepped into that have pushed me forward, and how much you are responsible GRADUATION SALUTAtoRIAN’s ADDRESS Alejandra Bran’09 Good morning Mis- why people always say Cabrini is like family. Katrina was sionary Sisters of the a challenge, but as a class, and more importantly, as “sis- Sacred Heart, members ters,” we overcame that obstacle. Along with big sister, of the Board of Trustees, little sister party, Candlelight, making graduation hats for our administration, faculty, senior sisters and eating lunch with them, this was the year staff, family, friends, and we learned that all of these events were part of cherished my fellow class of 2009. I Cabrini traditions. am honored to have the Sophomore year was quite a bit more normal. We knew opportunity to address our way around campus, and we were not considered you this morning. It seems “babies” anymore. We even proved it by beating the Swash- went on our senior retreat; I do not think I will ever forget the me so much and I hope that I make you just as proud as you that it was just yesterday buckling Seniors at intramurals because the Saintsational group of girls that ran on the hills with their onesies outfits on. make me. To my friends, thank you so much for being there we were lining up to get Sophomores had more class spirit. The year quickly ended with the senior slideshow and senior for me through my ridiculous “Oh my gosh, I think I am going our senior sweaters and Junior year was the year we realized that school was countdown. After all of this, it is our time to go, but we could to fail” moments, because you supported me and believed walking around campus knowing it was our turn to be the going by faster than we thought. Besides making dogs for not have done it by ourselves. in me. You know how to make me laugh, which to me is the “big dogs” on campus. Now, after countless memories and our senior sisters and hosting their ring dance, it was evident The one person that has been there for all of us, through best thing ever. Even your parents believed in me, and I hope hardships, our time is up and it is our turn to graduate. Al- that senior events for the class of 2009 were starting to take thick and thin is God. He never abandoned us, and although I make you proud. though we may hand down our class symbol, may we always place. Ordering our senior rings became a priority, as did we may ask, “Why me?” we should remember that God does And last but not least, I want to thank my classmates. remember the significance of the violet. Mother Cabrini used Junior Prom. On Step-Up day we were finally considered not give us anything we can not handle. Anything that comes I stand among great women. Look around, this is our last violets in representation of the missionaries she dreamed seniors, and we felt like we ruled the school. After that, we our way is for a reason. Although Ashely Newell is not physi- time together as a class. We have made college and career about sending around the world. We, the Class of 2009, are started to realize that we only had one more year at Cabrini cally present with us today, she is here in spirit. I believe that choices and I wish you much happiness and success in your her next missionaries. We have been instilled with the core and only one more year to bond with our classmates. she, along with the rest of us, were meant to be part of the future endeavors. Cabrini has molded us for the future, so I values of respect, excellence, and service and have put them Senior year has finally arrived and has quickly sped by. I violets, Class of 2009 at Cabrini High School. have no doubt that you will all succeed. In the words of Mr. to practice. May the violet be something that will always do not know about you, but I never thought high school would To our faculty, staff, and administration: Thank you. If it Distler, “Always be your true self.” Now, I want to share a remind us of Cabrini and unite us as a class.