Salutation Address

A warm welcome to all present.

We, the class of Tenacious '09, are graduating. This is a time to recognize and celebrate our hard work and perseverance. As much as it is a time for us to take a step back and look at what we have accomplished, it is also a time to appreciate our parents, family, teachers, dorm parents and friends who have been instrumental in helping us reach here. These are the people who have guided and supported us, appreciating us when we have done good, not hesitating to correct us when we have been wrong or given less than our best. This is in honor of them. I personally want to recognize my mother, whose love, wisdom and support has been the foundation of my life. These last few days of constant refection have become for me a whirl as I look back at the past, reminiscing my four years in Woodstock. At the same time, an excitement and anxiety about the future pulls me into the present, to hold onto every little minute, as my days here slip away. I remember the times in this school when I have felt happy, moments shared with friends over greasy waiwai in charrdukaan, finding a good conversation with the most unlikely people, cracking jokes late into the night, and the list goes on.

But the four years haven't always been such a smooth journey. What I have learnt in Woodstock is the real value of the pitfalls that are an inevitable part of life. The tough days have been when I have learnt most about living, about myself and about the people around me. In Woodstock, I have come to accept that challenges are an essential part of growing up. This has led to self-discovery as I find increasing courage and strength within me, to if not win then at least fight the battle. This school has helped me realize that it is not beneath anyone's dignity to turn to others for support and comfort. Here, I have always found an understanding ear or a helpful hand every time I have asked for help. The only times I struggled were when I tried to accomplish everything by myself. As they say, take the aid out of lemonade and you get a bitter, lonesome lemon.

Challenges that we face can be catalysts for forming relationships with people. Here lies a chance for others to show that they care for us, and in turn for us to realize that there are people who care. As Mr. Montgomery said, "A problem shared is a problem halved. In a sound learning environment and a community with a good sense of citizenship like Woodstock, a problem shared is a problem eliminated." As we head into our future, I hope that we can become people whom others can turn to for help in facing the storms of their lives. I hope we can show them, just as Woodstock has shown me, that challenges are merely opportunities for us to rise and give life our all. Moreover I hope we become people who understand that it is never beneath our dignity to seek help when we do need it. Good luck to all!

It has been an honor, thank you.

Tenzing Namste Lama