The principle slid a step stool in front of the podium before stepping out of the way so that Jubal to take her place to give her address. In the past couple of months she'd taken to wearing light makeup to emphasize her feminine features and it was perfect today.

She took a deep breath and looked out over the audience.

"Many of these addresses are made by idealistic youth trying to prove their right to be recognized as the most intelligent person in the room. Some few actually show insight into the human condition, or make us think about more than where we want to go for lunch as soon as this interminable prattling is over."

After some scattered laughter, she continued.

"I am not an idealistic youth, but neither do I consider myself wise. I am simply myself, Jubal Marie Franks. Each of us here has a name. We have loved ones friends. We have hopes and dreams, fears and worries.

"High school was naught but a moment in any of our lives, and we continue our lives even now. We met people and grew in both knowledge and friendship."

"Some of us grew more than others!"

"Thank you, Lance. Amanda, it is times like these I wish you and Lance were still together so you could silence him."

There was some laughter at this.

"We had love, and heartbreak. And we will love and lose again, if we're lucky.

"I look out on you and realize that this is not the end, or even the beginning of the end. It is only the end of the beginning.

"We stand before you, our parents and siblings, ready to go on to the rest of our lives. We will be the lawyers and the doctors. The rising stars and the burn outs. The dancers and the football players.

"Some of us you won't ever hear about again. Some of us you will wish that you'd never heard of in the first place."

There was more laughter at this one.

"This is not a pep speech, nor is it a prediction. This is our life, we few, we proud. Our moment for ourselves and those we choose to share it with. Be true to yourselves my fellow students and seek joy. Live your lives in happiness and fulfillment."

Jubal stepped down to general applause, though whether that was to her being done or for her words, she didn't know. It didn't matter to her. She was happy with her words and ready for the next chapter in her life.