Where we’ll go from here

Here are excerpts from speeches given by local valedictorians and salutatorians at recent graduation ceremonies.

Skylar Sandage, valedictorian, Sussex County Technical School:

Growing up, one of my favorite songs was “Ready or Not” by Bridgit Mendler. The opening line, “I sat by the curb and I waited for the world,” spoke to who I used to be. I was never the one to take initiative. I waited for someone else to lead, afraid to stand out, afraid to make mistakes. I spent too much time searching for permission, validation, or certainty before taking a step. The unknown terrified me. What if it didn’t work out? What if I wasn’t enough?

But life doesn’t come with guarantees. We can’t predict how our first day at a new school will go or whether we’ll catch every green light on the way to class. Uncertainty is a part of living. And if we let fear of the unknown keep us frozen, we’ll never grow.

To be honest, public speaking is one of my greatest fears. Yet, here I am - standing in front of all of you, facing it. Because avoiding discomfort doesn’t lead to progress. It’s in the challenges, the moments that stretch us, where real growth begins.

Each of us here tonight has faced uncertainty and come out stronger. We’ve walked into tests unsure we studied the right things - and still found ways to succeed. We’ve had to make decisions without knowing the outcomes, and even when we doubted ourselves, we kept moving forward. Those small, daily choices to take chances shaped us into who we are now: capable, resilient and ready for what’s next.

Sussex Tech offered us experiences most high schools don’t. Whether you were in the trades, culinary arts, graphic design, law or engineering, you were building something bigger than a transcript - you were building your future. These programs didn’t just prepare us for jobs or college - they prepared us for life.

Sure, there were mornings we didn’t want to get out of bed. Days where we thought, “Do I really have to take that test?” But we showed up anyway. And every one of those days built the work ethic, perseverance and character that will carry us into the world.

Beyond academics, we’ve faced personal challenges too - friendships, relationships, family struggles. We’ve all had moments where we didn’t feel like we belonged. I know I did. I tried to fit in where I didn’t truly feel seen, molding myself into someone I wasn’t just to meet expectations. But over time, I realized that the right people will never ask you to shrink who you are. The right people will celebrate it.

I love the analogy of being a purple zinnia flower in a field of white daisies. At first, the purple flower feels out of place, different, even wrong. But when it’s replanted in a field of wildflowers - all different, all unique - it begins to thrive. The environment matters. The people around us matter. When you surround yourself with those who support you, who share their “extra rainwater” when it storms and help you grow, you begin to bloom in ways you never thought possible.

That’s what Sussex Tech was for many of us. A place where we found our people, our voice and our path. Without it, I’m not sure where I would be. Probably still that shy, unsure middle schooler afraid of the future and uncertain of herself.

But now, I’m different. We’re different. We’ve discovered who we are and who we want to become. We’ve found our voices, even if they tremble. And most importantly, we’ve learned that we don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward.

There will still be rainy days. Ones where we wonder why we have to endure challenges for one good day at the end of the week. But that’s the idea. Life isn’t perfect. It will never be perfect, but what we decide to make of it determines how we carry ourselves. After after every storm, there’s always a rainbow, sometimes immediate and other times hours after. In that time where we wait for the colorful rays to break through, we confide in those who love us and support us, never leaving when things get rough. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn a hard day around: comfort and support. Where you as a flower sprout towards the clouds, not cower toward the ground.

So, as we step into this next chapter - whether it’s college, careers or something entirely different - I hope we all remember this: the unknown isn’t something to fear. It’s something to embrace. Finding where you fit in will become easy once you take the step, not letting fear hold you back. Even when friendships or relationships with those you thought would be in your life forever unexpectedly end, the fear of starting over is your chance to replant yourself in a better field. Because it’s in the unknown where we discover our strength. It’s where we become who we’re meant to be.

Our lives are just beginning, and everything we do from here on out will have an impact. I can’t wait to see what each of you accomplishes.

Thank you, Sussex Tech. Thank you to every person who helped us reach this moment. And as Bridgit Mendler says, “Ready or not, here we come.”

Holly Sajdak, valedictorian, Kittatinny Regional High School:

Good evening teachers, administrators, family, friends, supporters, and, most importantly, the Kittatinny Regional High School Class of 2025.

As I stand in front of all of you today, I can’t help but confront the daunting, all-encompassing question of “who am I now?” When all of the identifiers - student, athlete, artist, musician, actor, club member - are stripped away, who are we? From the time we started in this building, we envisioned who we would be when we finally left it, and back then, it seemed like years of school stood in the way of this moment. So after the final whistle, the final curtain, the final test, all that we are left with is the answer to this question.

Part of this answer is the people who helped us get here, so I would like to quickly shout out mine. Thank you to my mom and dad, for providing me with everything I needed, for showing me that success does not come easily, and for instilling within the core values of strength, determination and fearlessness. For showing up at every single one of my games and for asking me how school was every day. To my brother for always reminding me that life should be enjoyed, not just studied. To my sister for being my best friend, my teammate and my daily source of sunshine. To every teacher and coach who left a mark on who I am. To my friends for supporting me, laughing with me and listening to me. And lastly to God, for leading me through life and preparing me for a future that I’m so excited for.

We’ve all found our individual purposes in different corners of this building. For some of us, it was on a field, on a stage, in certain clubs or in specific classes. For me, it was in athletics. Soccer taught me the importance of connection and teamwork. Playing with the same girls throughout my whole career was the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to still brag about our successes decades from now. Basketball taught me to grow through chasing enjoyment and fun. Some of the most powerful advice I ever received was “treat playing basketball like playing tag at recess in the third grade.” Thank you to Coach Reed for that one. Track taught me to celebrate personal successes, no matter how big or small, by conquering physical and mental hurdles. But the real lesson I’ve learned is that I was never just an athlete. I was someone figuring out who they wanted to be with my sports as my guiding light.

Throughout our time here, we’ve all had defining moments of sparkling success, but just as important - or maybe even more important - are the failures: a tough loss, a mistake, a bad grade, a friendship that faded. These moments stung, made us doubt ourselves, even question our purpose. But in the end, there is beauty in each of these failures because they taught us true resilience and humility. We learned how to respond and how to rise above. Not one of us would be where we are today without both the ups and the downs of our individual but intertwining paths. This winding road of high school - full of twists and turns, detours and dead ends - has shaped our character to prepare us to embark on the next chapter.

We have also been shaped by each other and the community we have built together. We as a class are defined by the experiences we’ve shared, and the last few weeks alone have been a true testament to what we have all created together. From pillow jousting at Kalahari to cheering on Alex and Mr. Craig during their choreographed dance at prom to surviving the 90-degree bus ride home from the beach for three hours, we all have made memories that are authentically ours and that will last our entire lives. So no matter where the world takes each and every one of us and no matter how far we venture from this place, Kittatinny will always be a part of us - a place that we know in our hearts and in our minds, a place that we can call home.

So who are we now? Over six years ago, most of us walked into this building for our first day of seventh (grade), our first classes at Kittatinny. Now, we’ve left our last classes, and we walked here together as a class of high school students for the last time. Here we are today, ready to graduate. And we’ve become the people we once dreamed of being - the people we looked up to when we first entered this building. But none of us are exactly who we imagined we’d be. Rather, through challenges, friendships, memories and moments, we’ve become exactly who we needed to be, exactly who we’re supposed to be.

Thank you all, Class of 2025, for helping to write my story and for letting me pencil in a line in yours as well.

Ashlyn Ritson, valedictorian, High Point Regional High School:

We did it! Every one of us worked to make it up on this stage today, and this is our chance to enjoy these last moments together as a class and celebrate each of our individual accomplishments. Some of you I know very well, and some of you I may have never spoken to before. Even so, these past four years have connected all of us in a unique way. We have walked the same halls, sat in the same classrooms and been part of the same heartless race to beat the buses out of the parking lot. Today, our lives, which were previously closely intertwined, will begin to separate into different paths. Some of us will stay here in Sussex County, while others will end up across the country, maybe even across the world. Some of us will become doctors, teachers and managers. No matter what happens, we will all be able to look back on this day as the moment when all of our paths began to diverge, as we create lives for ourselves that aren’t dictated by what our parents or teachers choose for us.

Graduation is a time not just to celebrate, but to look toward the future. It wouldn’t be realistic to say that we will all leave this school and immediately change the lives of everyone in the world. We do, however, have the chance to make an impact, if only in small ways. Becoming a landscaper may not “change the world,” but it will make the neighborhood just a little bit nicer. An architect may not find the cure for cancer, but they can design the houses that one day become a family’s home. A physical therapist may not end world hunger, but they play a vital role in helping countless people recover from injuries. Do not take this as an excuse to be lazy or settle for less than your full potential. Rather, take this as a reminder that all of our journeys will look different, but each and every one of us is capable of having an impact on our communities. Regardless of our future employment or position, we will soon become contributing members of society, and even if we cannot shape the lives of millions, maybe we can change just one.

In hopes of finding useful advice for all of us tonight, I went around and asked a few staff members, “If you could go back in time to when you were graduating and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?” The answers included: “Don’t follow a plan if you don’t have a goal.” “You don’t always have to be right to be happy.” “Today does not determine the rest of your life.” “Don’t sell yourself short.” “Things that seem like big problems now will work themselves out in the future.” And lastly, “Taco Bell after midnight is never a good idea.”

Overall, the most common answer was to not take time for granted. I encourage you today to live for the moment, not just for the future. Play a board game with your family, take your sibling to a movie, sit in the parking lot with your friends and enjoy the simple act of being together. Take a few risks: ask that person out, go skydiving. Because as somber as it is, nothing lasts forever, and you don’t want to look back in 50 years and say that you regret not making the most of each stage in your life.

Finally, I hope that you use this day as a time to reflect. We all have memories in this building, both good and bad. We all made mistakes, but hopefully we learned from them. We each had at least one or two embarrassing moments or 50 - that’s probably more accurate for me, at least. We had a lot of fun though, too. Homecoming games, pep rallies, prom. Painting parking spaces and having carrots thrown at us at the lunch table. As I look out at everyone sitting here today, I see classmates, teammates and friends. I am incredibly grateful for all of the time that we had together. In the words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

As we are looking back and remembering our four years here at High Point, I believe that it is important to recognize the people who were with us throughout the journey. To my teachers: Thank you for being encouraging and putting up with my many questions. To my friends: Thank you for being there to support me through everything and never failing to make me laugh. To my siblings: I love both of you so much and I know that you will do great things during your time at High Point. To my parents: Thank you for motivating me to work hard and showing up to every one of my games, no matter how far. I can confidently say that without your love and support, I would not be standing here today. Most importantly, to God: Thank you for giving me the strength to get up every morning and for loving me through every one of my mistakes. My hope is that my life is, first and foremost, a testimony of You. And finally, thank you to everyone in the audience who is still paying attention. I hope that you all have an amazing night and enjoy your final moments as High Point students.

Gabriel Reintstein, salutatorian, High Point Regional High School:

After four long years, we have finally crossed the finish line. These past four years have been challenging. Whether it has been in the classroom, on the field or countless other events through the halls of High Point, we have all fought through adversity. Now, at long last, we are at the culmination of our efforts.

Now we enter a new phase of our lives. We will all go on different paths. Some of us will be going to college, and others will be going straight to the workforce. Others may be going to the military or taking a gap year to explore the world. High Point has given us all a foundation to stand on, and it is now our responsibility to branch out and become the people we have always meant to be. We will no longer be locked into the routine of 7:35 to 2:27 Monday to Friday. We will no longer walk the same halls as our classmates. In the coming years, we will all face new hardships, predicaments and doubts. We may be forced to face these challenges independently, without the aid of teachers and friends. This will be difficult, but do not fret. The hardships we have battled through together have prepared us for the next phase of our lives.

In the words of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, “Sometimes in life the biggest challenges end up being the best things that happen in your life.” Do not shut the door on the challenges of the past. Embrace them and allow them to guide you through your future. Learn from your experiences and strive for improvement. These past four years, I have witnessed greatness from the Class of 2025. Everyone of us has shown excellence throughout High Point. Now we must cultivate our past experiences and strive to be the best versions of ourselves possible. Thank you to all who came out tonight to support the Class of 2025. Go Wildcats!

Zachary Nowel, valedictorian, Pope John:

Administrators, you’ve worked so hard behind the scenes for us. Teachers, you’ve given up so much of your time to ensure our academic success. Parents and families, you’ve emotionally and financially supported us throughout our four years here. And finally, my fellow graduates, I am so grateful for each and every one of you. I could not imagine graduating in a class without the many gifts and talents that each of you have shared.

For all of this, I am immensely grateful, and I urge each one of you to be as well. When you take the time to be grateful, you realize all of the blessings that are in your life. These can be the people around you, a loving pet, a beautiful sunset or a special moment. I am incredibly grateful for the impact that my family has had on my life. My parents have given up so much of their time for me, and my brother has been there for me, whether to play a game or talk about music. I do not say it enough but thank you. I would not be where I am today if not for you.

I am also thankful to God. No matter where I would find myself, He was a presence I could rely on in prayer, song or decision-making. Each time a coincidence happened, such as an answer to a test question coming to me at the right moment or a forgotten homework assignment being postponed, I felt as though that was God “winking” at me and letting me know he was there supporting me.

But sometimes God provides us with things that we do not know we need. Last year as I was watching YouTube, I was recommended a video of an “America’s Got Talent” winner, Dustin Tavella, a combined motivational speaker and magician. In his performances, Tavella explains there are two types of magic: the first is a typical magician’s magic, but the second is the magic from someone choosing to make a positive impact in the life of another. In my favorite trick of his, he asks his entire audience to raise their phones in the air, and he causes all the flashlights of the phones to turn on. Picture that image: a sea of lights in an otherwise dark room. Each of us has gifts and talents that can be a light to the world. As I learned from Tavella, use your gifts and talents for others. Be like Mr. G, who gives up nearly every advisory period to any student who needs it. Be like Mr. Emering, who not only manages teenagers but also does not get enough credit for it. Be the light in the life of another person.

And, my fellow classmates, that’s exactly what you’ve been to me; a smiling face when I’ve felt down, a problem solver when I did not know what to do, a friend when I felt alone. But now it seems I have to say goodbye. Our futures are on the horizon, and our time together is fading away. In the history hallway is a quote from Dr. Seuss that reads, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” It is not easy to leave such an amazing group of people, but I am so glad I got to spend my four years of high school with the leadership of Anya and Sloane, the always friendly faces of Cody and Kasey, the tall stature of Kyle and Quinn, the loyalty of Miles and Sebastian, and the community that we formed.

We have finished another chapter of our lives, but there are still plenty of pages left to write. For many of us, college is next, but after that, the future is unknown. No matter where you find yourself, trust in God and He will lead your feet down the path He has planned for you. So remember these four years and continue to be an honor to the Father, now and always. Thank you.