Last year before we moved, I happened to watch Madeira’s 2019 baccalaureate and ended up crying like a baby. The night was so special and inspiring. This year I had the opportunity to give a speech of my own. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone I’ve met and all who have helped me this year! It has meant the world 🤗
“Most of you might not know me very well, my name is Emma Beck and I was a new student to Madeira this year.
One year ago I was in a very dark place. I was struggling with a lot of difficult things and didn’t have much hope for my senior year. I considered quitting a sport I loved and finishing out high school online. I was depressed and felt incredibly stuck. My parents had been planning on making a change for a while and we ended up moving to Madeira last summer.
In the span of a few months I went from feeling unhappy and alone, to feeling loved and valued. I was welcomed in to a new cross country team and spent the summer getting to know Madeira a little better. A lot of people joke about finally getting to leave the “Madeira Bubble”, but I was so excited to just be a part of it.
From the first day of school it was all of the little things that stuck out to me the most. The administrators, counselors, and teachers knew everyone’s name and wouldn’t hesitate to say hi in the hallways. The close knit learning environments in every classroom. And really just how close everyone was. The culture at Madeira is truly special and I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it. I had the opportunity to be a captain on the cross country team. The girls on the team are now some of my very best friends. I got to be a part of What’s Up Madeira and feel inspired by Turner’s passion for film. And I ate lunch everyday in Mrs. Jordan’s room with some of the funniest people I know.
I’ve come to the conclusion this year, that your environment is everything. The people that you surround yourself with are crucial to your growth, and have the biggest power to build you up. It is so important to find those people in your life who will support you and believe in your dreams. I have found those people at Madeira and they have impacted me in ways I cannot begin to explain. So as easy as it is to wish for more time here, I am incredibly grateful for my one year at Madeira High School.”
you can also find the actual video of baccalaureate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7JLPWSBpyE