PANTHER PROUD: CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2025
PANTHER PROUD: CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2025
Looking Outward ranklin Regional FRANKLIN REGIONAL NEWS
30 MURRYSVILLE
Good evening, fellow classmates, faculty and staff, friends and family. My name is Lucy Zheng, and I’ m honored to be part of such a special occasion today. Being here and celebrating our accomplishments, we have so much to be grateful for. Thank you to the incredible teachers, staff, and parents. Our success is a reflection of yours. And I want to especially express my deepest gratitude toward Dr. Guffey, who listens to me rant during QRT and has comforted me during some of my hardest moments.
Today, we’ re obviously here to celebrate a milestone. But I also think graduation is a time to look back on how much we’ ve grown. I’ d like to share a personal experience of how I think I grew throughout high school. Because my biggest growth didn’ t come from the classroom, it came from this year writing college
Lucy Zheng, Valedictorian, delivered essays. When you’ re applying to college, you’ re forced her speech entitled“ Looking to think a lot about yourself. I had to pinpoint specific,
Outward.” small moments in my life and turn them into reasons about why I am the way I am. And the more that I actively sought out these answers, the more frustrated and unhappy I became. Once applications were over, I felt a huge pressure lifted off me. One, because the deadline was done of course, but two, because afterwards I could finally stop thinking about myself so hard.
It sounds kind of weird, but I started to realize how thinking too much about myself puts me in the center of my worldview. I say that not to downplay caring about ourselves, but to free us a little. Constantly thinking about myself is overwhelming, but when I started putting my energy elsewhere like on others, I genuinely felt happier.
Some of my favorite moments this year were centered around other people, helping them, being there for them. They were volunteering in the nursing home, playing checkers with a resident. Or sitting with friends, listening and laughing.
And especially now, when everything feels so divided, something that is always universal is kindness that is selfless. So, let’ s look outward beyond ourselves. Toward the people who need us, and the small ways we can show up. Because at the end of the day, people remember you by how you made them feel. That kind of life that’ s centered on others, on service, on connection is fulfilling. And it’ s joyful.
To my fellow graduates: I hope you strike that balance of understanding yourself while understanding your place in the world. I hope your next chapter is full of kindness, connection, and moments that bring you real joy. Keep growing, keep caring, and show up for the people who need you. Congratulations, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Thank you
The FRSH Band leads in the playing of Pomp and Circumstance.
Rain couldn’ t dampen the spirit of the day— thanks to a seamless transition indoors, students and guests enjoyed a meaningful and intimate ceremony in the Senior High Gymnasium.