EDITOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Class of 2018. As we wind down the busy May of graduations, we are highlighting some of the words shared on stages – some from graduates and some from adults. These words show wisdom beyond years, hope beyond cynicism, faith past understanding … and some laughs too. The words will echo Mother Teresa, Barry Gunn and Tim McGraw. They are words tapped out on phones, pounded on laptops or written with a pencil on a yellow pad (nah!). They are words written in a coffee shop or late at night, maybe through some tears, edited by a teacher. They are words that deserve some limelight. The readers won’t regret it because the words are for all of us – young and old, grads or not, looking ahead or looking back. Enjoy.
Graduates, if you go far, come back and see us. If you stay home, lead us. Be our neighbor and keep us updated with maybe some new hashtags or whatever is fresh. Luther needs you. The world needs you.
#lutherlocal
#mytown
Graduate: Lexi Allen
- GPA 4.14
- Valedictorian
- 2018 Basketball Homecoming Queen & Prom Queen
- Basketball and academic scholarships to Bellevue University, Bellevue Nebraska
- 2018 Oklahoman Little All-City Honorable Mention, Little All-City All-Star, Oklahoma Coaches Association All-Star, Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association All-Region
- National Honor Society
- 26 college credit hours
- Daughter of Robby & Heather
- Server at Earl’s Rib Palace
- Community volunteer
The Speech
High school is an adventure all of its own. Yes, there are a lot of tests,textbooks and homework; but we have finally walked to this stage, knowing the changes we have gone through and the people we have met since first walking through the high school doors, have helped to shape who we are and who we will become. We have all met at least one person who has changed our lives; we’ve made new friends that we will never forget, and we’ll never really leave behind. If anyone was wondering, my person is Bailie Wilds.
I moved to Luther High School as a freshman, I was fourteen years old coming in to a new place and to say the least, I was fairly afraid. I left a school that I had attended for 10 years; I left everything I knew to create my own path of success. I met the basketball girls first during our summer camps. Sadly I can never live down my nickname, “The crier” or “The one who cries.” And contrary to popular belief, I didn’t actually cry EVERY day; just most of them. Some practices I would have to explain to my coaches and teammates “I’m not crying, guys, it’s just my face.” Anyway, I loved being accepted by some really great people for what felt like the first time in a very long while for me, and I wouldn’t trade my given nickname for anything else.
Because of my successes here at Luther High School, I encourage everyone, especially the students in the grades below us, to step outside of your comfort zones. It’s okay to be nervous, but you can’t learn anything about yourself if you don’t take risks. So take some risks and give everything you do, everything you have. Do every single thing with your heart. Go tryout for that team you thought you’d never make, go apply for that dream school you’ve always loved, go talk to that cute boy or girl, go sit with the person that’s always alone or invite them to join you, or go apply for your dream career. Always do what you love and never let anyone convince you that you aren’t capable, because I promise, you are, I would know. You just have to trust yourself and take those first steps; once you do, you’ve opened up unlimited possibilities for yourself. At first it might feel like you’re failing and nothing is going right, but you get to decide if you want to get back up and keep going because there’s a good chance the next time around,you’ll fly.
Never be afraid to be yourself. Always love yourself. Always show others kindness and grace, even if you don’t believe you can. Always forgive, but recognize when it’s time to separate yourself from people who don’t help you grow.
To those who stand here with me and those who come behind me, I will leave you with some sage advice Mother Teresa gave us:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.”Oklahoma Country Homes
Thank you for your support, for embracing me four years ago. I will miss most the sound of our Luther crowd cheering us on.
Thank you for making me feel like Luther is “my town”.
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