Our Sisters’ Lights
Spark Our Own
By Megan Medeiros, Salutatorian
T
oday the class of 2014 stands in solidarity as a sisterhood.
Yes, “sisterhood,” a term that has been ingrained into all of
our minds for the past four years at assemblies, liturgies,
and rallies. We even have “Sisterhood Week” during March. But
when I sat down to write this speech I had to ask myself, “Why are
these girls my sisters?”
Naturally, I turned to someone who I trust whenever I have
important questions to ask: Google. The first link advertised a
show on TLC, and although it looked interesting, I had to move on
(though admittedly I did record the show on my TV the next day).
Thankfully the next link shed some more light onto my question.
According to Merriam Webster, a “sisterhood” is a community or
society of nuns. Suddenly, our uniform guidelines made sense.
I continued my search into the trenches of Google, but still could
not pinpoint why I consider the class of 2014 to be my sisters. I
finally realized that it is impossible for any website, search engine, or
dictionary to understand what the Carondelet sisterhood is because
it is so special and unique. It cannot be found anywhere else, because
these young women cannot be found anywhere else.
Among the graduates in this gym, we have an "American Idol"
contestant, a Kid Jeopardy winner, gifted musicians, several star
athletes, internationally ranked Irish dancers, and students who
have traveled to Third World countries to volunteer. Among the
graduates in this gym, we also have silent servants, who are like our
patron saint, Saint Joseph. These silent servants are the students
who hold a door for you, lend you a piece of binder paper to start
your math homework, and wish you happy birthday. They cheer for
the Cougars at sports games, they offer a kind smile in the crowded
hallway, they ask you how you’re doing, and they genuinely want
to know the answer. Like Saint Joseph, these silent servants help
others, without desire for recognition.
Clearly, the class of 2014 has unique talents, personalities,
and abilities; we all have been “called to be light.” Through the
opportunities that Carondelet has given us—like leadership,
campus ministry, community service, sports, chorus, and others—
we all have been “sent forth to shine.” This light, that each and every
one of us has within, is the reason why we are all sisters; we all need
our sisters’ lights to spark our own. Whether we realize it or not, we
have all encouraged each other to be the best versions of ourselves. Without this support, we would not be the
people we are today. So really, we are not a part of the sisterhood, because we are the sisterhood.
After we cross the stage in our dangerously high heels, we will receive diplomas proving that we attended and
fulfilled the requirements of Carondelet High School. Sunday, May 18th, 2014, is the end of our high school
careers, but the sisterhood will live on as long as we let our lights shine for everyone around us to see.
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