Class of 2020: Duncan Polytechnical High School
Duncan Polytechnical High School 2020 Graduation Speeches
Speaker: Jesus Lopez
Good evening.
I’m Jesus Lopez the 2020 Class President.
I have been so blessed to be presented with the opportunity to be your class president for the past two years of our high school experience, so thank you!
We must not forget to give gratitude to each other as students because we are all there for one another. And to our parents for surviving our teenage shenanigans. A special thanks to my parents for always looking out for my best interest.
A thank you to our administration, teachers and to Fresno Unified Superintendent, Mr. Bob Nelson, Thank you for doing all that you can for the class of 2020. Thank you for not only acknowledging us but appreciating our accomplishments.
And a huge Thank you to the senior Class sponsors Mrs. Olsen and Ms. Rohrer for making the past 4 years the most memorable.
I look at all of you, and I am in awe because when I think of the Class of 2020, I see students who are ambitious, strong, and resilient. We all are aware of what’s been happening in the world but nothing can stand in the way of our class. In history, we will be seen as the most resilient group of students and use it to our advantage.
Reflecting back I remember seeing many of you the first day of freshman year, we were just breaking out of our shell into the new world, a world we call high school.
We were all just baby caterpillars, we were curious and we were awkward.
As we walked the halls at Duncan Poly we saw unfamiliar faces, not knowing that that kid you didn’t know a week would become your best friend.
Like baby caterpillars, who eat about 8 pounds of food a day, that’s equivalent to a newborn eating 1400 pounds of food a day. We were hungry, hungry not only for food but for friendship and knowledge. Most of us came in at 14 years old not knowing what we would be like our senior year. But we ate and ate and ate through all these years of high school. Going through the trials and tribulations of life. We too were absorbant and hungry for our own survival. We consumed all of these experiences throughout our teenage years because our teenage years and memories make up our high school experience.
From our first homecoming to our first dance and even our first kiss in high school.
Our first failure and even our first breakup. We spent time and time again studying for that exam we wanted to ace. We spent sleepless nights and countless hours because we were hungry, hungry for success, and hungry for a diploma. All of the things we have gone through in the past 4 years have been preparing us for one thing: metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis is the transition in which a caterpillar evolves and becomes a beautiful butterfly.
I have already seen it in you, many of you have already begun evolving and breaking out of your chrysalis, spreading your wings, and flying into the real world.
Like any living thing, we all grow in different ways and at different rates. I can assure you that everyone here has already begun the process.
I know at this point we are all metamorphosing into beautiful and ambitious people.
Some of us have bright blue wings and some of us have red, orange, or yellow wings.
Although we may have all grown in different ways. We all have one thing in common: we are going through an evolutionary period of coming of age.
All of us are going either to college, trade school, the workforce, or the military.
No matter what happens to us in the years to come, let the pains and anxieties of this world become your process of the birth of who you are, and let it become your message.
Life comes with obstacles; however, don’t let these obstacles become hurdles. Allow them to become stepping stones to a bigger goal for yourself, your community, and for America.
Our community needs Duncan students, the world needs the Class of 2020. Duncan has manufactured the world’s new generation of helpers. From our future nurses to our Industrial workers to our future veterans. We will be the ones who keep this country functioning. We will be the ones who contribute to the betterment of society.
Let the world see your different colored wings. Let the world see your evolution and embrace it unapologetically. Let the process of becoming be your gateway to a better future.
Just like a butterfly spread your wings and fly endlessly because there are no limits to what you can accomplishments in this country.
God bless you and America.
Speaker: Victoria Rosales
Good evening family, Duncan staff, administrators, friends, and most importantly the Class of 2020. It is an honor to be here speaking to you and congratulating you on behalf of your hard work and dedication.
Families, thank you for your assistance and the sacrifices you have made for your child.
Most importantly, thank you to my parents for always supporting me. Thank you all. I’d also like to take a moment to appreciate any Spanish speaking families including my own that have supported their child throughout their education: También quiero tomar un minuto para agradecer a los papas de nuestros estudiantes hispanohablantes. Gracias por su asistencia y los sacrificios que ha hecho por su hijo. Lo más importante, gracias a mis padres por apoyarme siempre. Gracias a todos.
Class of 2020, we’re finally here. We made it. It’s been a long 4-year journey and an even longer couple of past months but let’s not forget about the memories, friendships, and last but not least the long, sleepless nights.
High school is a time that many say they found themselves at their highest moments and some at their lowest; some may even say they experienced their best memories here or found friends and built connections that will last for years to come. Or some may say they went through hardships and constantly had to find solutions to problems that arose. Now that we are about to graduate, I can say that these experiences have been four years of growth, sacrifice, and commitment, and ultimately a bridge. Some struggled to cross it, others may have walked gracefully without struggles. However, what I can say for those of us who’ve made the journey across is that once again, we made it, we made it to the other side. On the other side of this bridge awaits the freedom that is our lives left unchecked; to become whoever we want to be and to do whatever we choose to do. I believe that at the end of this bridge we are poised for greatness. We all have a plan for any future ambitions, but if this year has taught us anything it is that nothing in life is certain. Let’s take a moment to realize what we will take away from this experience. Life is all about experiences. Looking back on the past four years has not only been eye-opening, but uncomfortable. As many would see this discomfort as negative, I strongly believe in its significance for growth. So when I look back at the past four years and think of the awkward flashbacks of my freshman and sophomore year. Or even the long nights during junior and senior year, I spent studying for tests and scrolling through my phone at midnight. I see it as one step closer to our destinies. From the depths of my heart, I wish every single one of you the best in your lives. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. We were put together as the Class of 2020 for a reason.
If there was one quote that’s always inspired me to pursue my aspirations it would be from the movie “The Pursuit of Happiness” based on the true story of Chris Gardner, “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. When people can’t do something themselves, they’re gonna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.” Let this inspire you to protect your beliefs despite any circumstances. Chase your dreams and don’t ever allow anyone to put you down or hold you back. Class of 2020 for the rest of your lives you will be faced with various opportunities and choices. Choose growth, choose the unknown, and most importantly, never forget to choose yourselves. Let’s cherish the lessons we learned from our teachers, our friends, and other relationships. No one knew that our Senior year would come to an end on March 13th, but I am glad we are all celebrating here together today. As we continue to cross bridges throughout our lives, I hope to always see you on the other side. Thank you and a final congratulations to Duncan’s Class of 2020.
Principal’s note
Hello Duncan Poly Stallion Community and guest! My name is Eric Martinez and I am the proud Principal of Duncan Polytechnical High School. I would like to welcome you all wherever you may be viewing this program and thank you for celebration the Class of 2020 with us today.
Before I speak directly to our Duncan Poly seniors, I would like to take a few moments and thank our amazing teachers, classified staff, coordinators, counselors and administrators for their great efforts and their heartfelt desire to ensure our students received the best educational experience that has prepared them for college, career and life. I would also like to thank our Superintendent Dr. Bob Nelson, our FUSD school board members, specifically board member Veva Islas for their unwavering support and commitment to our students. Lastly, but certainly not least, thank you to our parents, guardians and extended families for the support you provided to your child for the 4 years they were with us at Duncan. Especially during this last 12 weeks where you likely took on the roles of motivator, timekeeper, custodian, teacher, and Vice Principal during this time of shelter in place and distance learning.
Now to you seniors. … Although none of us could have every imagined that we would be celebrating you in such a way, I am very grateful that we have this opportunity to recognize your commitment and dedication you have shown for the last 13 academic school years. Yes it has been 13 years … but before you go too far back into memory lane, I want you to reflect for a moment on your senior year ... it’s been one eventful year hasn’t it. As you may naturally start to think about the missed opportunities and the “what could have been” , I want you to reflect through all the great memories, experiences, new and old relationships forged and strengthened and joyful learning that took place. Your ASB leaders set the theme for the 2019-2020 school year; that this school year would be EPIC. I can unequivocally attest that it has been an EPIC school year, not because of the circumstances that recently have surrounded us all, but because of what each and every one of you contributed to our school and to each other, during the full duration of this school year.
Take for instance the beautiful laughter, fun and relationship building that took place at our lawn chair lunches, the glow in the dark rally and other club and ASB dances and events. There is no denying the EPIC-ness of this year’s Homecoming events and activities; where elegance, excitement, uniqueness and talents were on full display. There is also no denying the amazing skill sets you all have developed and displayed in your specific pathway course of study in Skills USA competitions, at community jobsites, and in the classroom. And who can ever forget the BMX bike rider doing a back flip over the head of Mr. Hoke at our Anit-Bullying rally. Definitely an EPIC moment! These are just a few of the amazing moments and examples that we all shared in together as Duncan Poly Stallions.
Now as you may go your individual ways, know that you are ready and prepared to take on the challenges that face us all today. By virtue of your education at Duncan Poly, your possession of qualities and skills that include being a creative and adaptable learner, being an adaptive and productive problem solver and a responsible and ethical decision maker, will be in high demand and propel you in whatever endeavor, college or career you choose to pursue. If you continue to show resilience, focus, love and your inner Stallion, you will be the much-needed successful leaders that will make a positive impact on our community, and others around us.
Class of 2020, there is no doubt that you have continued to raise the bar and have set a great example for future Stallions to follow. I want to thank you for the bottom of my heart for making this year special and for showing me what it means to be a Duncan Poly Stallion. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and I hope you enjoy the remainder of this program that is designed to celebrate you and your Senior Peers as the Duncan Polytechnical class of 2020.
Principal’s closing remarks
I hope you all enjoyed today’s program and that it demonstrated that when caring individuals unit with a common purpose, not matter the circumstance, great things can be accomplished. Those individuals and organizations I would like to thank are PBS; for your television platform that allowed us to celebrate our Senior class, our FUSD Communications team and District Office Personnel; for all the great work to coordinate and support this important celebration, and our Duncan Poly team for all the great ideas and quick responses to ensure we were properly able to celebrate our Stallions; Campus Culture Director and assistants Ms. Lathrop, Mrs. Caglia and Mrs. Dutcher, Digital Photography teacher Mr. Grieco, Teacher librarian Ms. Bridgen, office staff Ms. Orosco, Ms. Deleon, Ms. Aguirre and our Full Administrative team.
And finally, thank you class of 2020. For your flexibility, patience, and positivity and for just being truly outstanding young men and women. You will be remembered as the class who exemplified the meaning of being Stallion Strong and a group of seniors that we will never forget. You will be dearly missed, and I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors!
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.