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I felt the need to post my 8th grade graduation speech. It is something I am very proud of. It was the first time I ever wrote something and said, "Not bad for a 13 year-old".  Enjoy.

Good Evening,
And welcome to our 2006, 8^th grade graduation.

Well, We did it! We made it through 9 long years of school just to get here, on this field before all the people we love, representing our successes throughout these years.

Have you ever thought about tomorrow, I don’t mean tomorrow as in the day after today, I mean… Our future. High school, College, who we will be, who will be in our lives and who wont.

Everyone is in our lives for a reason. Whether its to help you through a hard time, to be there to talk to or aome are there for a simple reason unknown.

Think about the last conversation you had with someone. Are you satisfied? Have you ever thought about what it would be like without that one person tomorrow?

Ever since we were little we were told people live and people die, Its just what happens, and it was usually some old aunt or uncle that you never even knew. But until the loss of a dear teacher, a brother, a best friend, or even just someone you saw in the quad did you realize how dear and short life really can be.

I don’t need to add in names, you can make it personal. But what i do want to add is, I am not satisfied.

I remember the last time I saw and talked to Mrs. Knapp. She was busy and told me,” I owe you a hug, Kara, Next year, I promise!’

It sounds silly to say but had I known what was going to happen that summer to come, I would of hugged her, anyone would of. I know that Travis made a huge impact on many of you as well. The death of someone special can really make you appreciate life that much more.

What I am trying to say is, don’t leave here tonight still mad at someone, or without saying goodbye. You never know if they’ll be here tomorrow.

Life throws many curves, and like what Mr. Duerr once told me, “Life never gives you what you cant handle.
Going into High School is life giving us a second chance to do things right, to get over everything in the past. It’s a chance to start off fresh with a new you.

The choices you make today and tomorrow determine the outcome of the days that turn into weeks, and months and years and eventually…. Your life.

Life doesn’t have a restart button, You cant go back and start over, but you can change the outcome of tomorrow, Say your sorry, Say you messed up. You may not be able to fix what was, but you can help what will become of tomorrow.

When starting High School, take a chance, over achieve, make new friends, Love and appriciate life, but most of all… don’t lose you. Don’t make mistakes you cant fix, Don’t have regrets you cant handle, and don’t wish your life away.

And always remember,
There was only one yesterday,
There is only one today,
There will be only one tomorrow,
And there is only one you.