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We've Only Just Begun

We've Only Just Begun
Kathleen Kearney, LCJHS Principal
For the past seven years, since beginning my employment at Liberty Common High School in 2018, I’ve had the opportunity to have a front-row seat to one of my favorite traditions at LCHS – the Senior Speakout.   
 
This beautiful tradition originated with its first graduating class.  In early 2013, several seniors asked Mr. Bob Schaffer, the then-principal of the high school, if they could have a platform from which to share the wisdom they had gleaned from their time at LCHS with their younger classmates.  Mr. Schaffer graciously agreed, and the Liberty tradition of Senior Speakout was born.  It has taken place every year in January since.
 
This week, a handful of the LCHS Class of 2025’s best shared words of wisdom.  I, in turn, take this opportunity to share some of each senior’s speech with you.  I promise your day will be better for having read their words.  Enjoy.
 
“Your journey through Liberty is like a mountain, and you never know where it’s going to take you.  However, I learned this from a very wise friend - instead of looking at how much you have left on your path, look down to see how far you have come."  
Alexander (Sashko) Conrad, Class of 2025
 
“The honest love of a friend cannot be replaced and will shape you as a person, whether you think it will or not.  I know that this is cliché, but who you surround yourself with is who you become.  It’s true.  I’ve seen myself change as a better person based on who I have surrounded myself with.  I encourage you to build those relationships with people who will be honest with you in a loving way.” – Jilian Jackson, Class of 2025
 
“The ways in which I affect my peers should be devoid of regret.  I would like to call us all to a renewed devotion to having an intentionality with the words we share… whether to a close friend in a passing greeting or to a freshman… in the locker room.  Be intentional with the words you are saying.” – Andrew Barber, Class of 2025 
 
“Having a small but genuine circle of friends is more important than being liked by everybody.  Your performance does not define who you are.  And go live it up in high school and stop stressing about your future.” – Eliana Macy, Class of 2025
 
“Difficulty is not a reason to give up.  They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.  So be tough.  If you want to succeed at Liberty, you’re going to need what they call grit – the ability to buckle down and work despite how much you might detest the work you have to do.  I know how hard it can be to be motivated and have that grit, though.  My advice to all of you in that case is this.  Try to find something you enjoy or are glad to have learned in school.  Think objectively about it.  What is something you have learned that you are just glad that you know?  Focus on that.  If you can’t, try again tomorrow.  In several years, I guarantee that you will be very grateful for the education you are getting now.  It’s like my swim practice, or anything else in life – the end result is good, even if the process is a little rough… We attend a great school.  We really do.  Don’t forget that.” – Andrew Nazeck, Class of 2025
 
As I have the distinct honor of moving with the junior-high next year, this will be the last Senior Speakout I attend as a high-school administrator, and thus my last article on this tradition.  I hope my successor here at the high school, who we are in the process of hiring this month, will pick up the torch and continue sharing these nuggets of wisdom and insight with you.  
 
Like these seniors, we’re nearly to the end, but have only just begun. 
 
I can’t wait for our next adventures.