VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN SPEECHES
Inspiring Words from Class of 2022 Leaders
Valedictorian Caroline Betts ’ 22 and Salutatorian Jacob Stoebner ’ 22 share reflections from their time at CPA
Caroline Betts , Valedictorian and Distinguished Senior Award Winner , Class of 2022
I
want to take you back to a specific time from my pre-CPA years ; my homeschool years , the good old days . The days when class started when I wanted it to , when my uniform was my pajamas , my desk was the couch , my dog was my classmate , and when my mom and I watched Little House on the Prairie every day during lunch . This is a memory from sixth grade . While I was still homeschooled at the time , I knew these glory days were short in number ; I knew I was going to CPA the next year .
One day I was actually at CPA for my cousin ’ s softball game , sitting on the bleachers when I began to have a conversation with Mr . Ellis . I don ’ t usually remember specific conversations I had years ago , but this one has stuck with me through all this time . As we were talking , he asked , “ Are you excited to go to CPA next year ?” I said , “ Yes , I am . I ’ m a little nervous , but excited .” It ’ s what Mr . Ellis said next that has left a lasting impact on me . He said , “ Now I want to challenge you as you head into your time at CPA , to go in with the mindset of not just what can CPA offer to me , but what can I offer to CPA ? What can I give to those around me in this community ?” I was twelve years old when he told me this , but this has stayed with me through the years because it is such an important mindset to have wherever we go .
I think every one of us in the Class of 2022 can look back at our time at CPA and say we ’ ve received a lot from this school , and I wanted to reflect on this today as we graduate . As you know , I asked all of you of the ways that this school has given to you . Through your responses it was amazing to see the many shapes and forms of giving that occur daily at CPA . You mentioned Ms . Stricker , the way she would frequently check in and ask for life updates , and even send encouraging texts when she knew you were stressed and overwhelmed . You talked about soccer pre-season- everyone being out there pushing each other and giving it their all for the team . One of you told me about a day at school when your grandfather had recently passed and you were in the atrium having a hard time when Ms . Denton came up to you and was so comforting and helped you gain perspective to be more at peace with his death . You reflected on how Ms . Mills taught you to be vulnerable and sincere by having the entire class go around and compliment one student at the beginning of each period . You reminisced on small gestures that made people feel loved like a student bringing a valentine in for every person in all of her classes . You told me about the impactful conversations you would have on long runs with the cross country team and Mr . Miller . You talked about how my mom , Ms . Betts , was a spiritual influence in your life as she talked openly about the Lord in the classroom , and one of you even talked about how she became a spiritual accountability partner that would check in from time to time to see how you were doing . When I thought about my answer to this question , what came to my mind was the day that Ms . Mills brought in a Celsius for everyone in our class as a little pick-me-up during a hard week . Or when Mr . Miller let me use his Powerade cooler as my “ backpack ” during our senior prank “ anything-but-a-backpack day .” That was true sacrificial love , but I guess y ’ alls responses were good too .
But seriously , we received so much from this school , and I will forever be grateful . Throughout my years at CPA , as I was receiving so much , I would be reminded of what Mr . Ellis told me , and it encouraged me to not
18 PURPLE & GOLD FALL 2022