Greetings Parents, Guardians, Teachers, Staff, and the Students of Innovation Middle School! My name is Kyle Hoang and I would like to say, it is such an honor to be here giving this speech and to leave some words with everyone here. It’s an amazing feeling to be here, being the first class of 8th graders to be able to have an in-person promotion ceremony since the pandemic

These past years have been tough. From adjusting to middle school to going into quarantine to readjusting being back in person, I think I can speak for everyone that it was very difficult to navigate through the new “norm”. Through our determination and perseverance, we have made it to this day, the day that we promote up to the next chapter of our lives. 

I would like to give a shoutout to my classmates and peers. You all made Innovation a more enjoyable place to be. You all have made me and many others laugh countless times. I know high school is going to be hard, but if we persevere, we can do it. I believe that if you think you can do it, you can accomplish anything you want, whether that’s academically, outside of school, or doing what you love for a career. All it takes is hard work, determination, and recognizing that failure is a stepping stone to success. Mistakes come often, but people who are successful make these mistakes, learn from them, and avoid letting them happen again. 

A quote that I would like to give all of you is from Admiral William McRaven:

“Life is filled with circuses. You will fail. You will likely fail often. It will be painful. It will be discouraging. At times, it will test you to your very core. But if you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of the circuses.”

Transitioning into 6th grade was already a confusing time. From 5 minutes to get to each class to having 7 different teachers to please let alone absorbing all the information. It took time to get used to daily homework for more than a few classes sometimes. Then, going into quarantine, zooming, and working independently online. I would like to thank the teachers. Not only the teachers from this year but every teacher from the past years. They did an amazing job at lifting us up to this very moment, and their hard work never will be forgotten. But the hard work of the staff of iMiddle doesn’t go unappreciated either. During the chaos and unknown, they never failed to maintain the behind-the-scenes work to keep this school running.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank the parents and guardians of each student. You all have motivated us to be our best. You all make us feel like we can go over any mountain or through any obstacle. You all keep us in check with discipline and tolerance, as we know you want us to be successful. We are definitely going to need that “tolerance” in high school (Wink/Grin). You all teach us lessons that school sometimes can’t teach us. “Thank you” is a mere word that cannot be used to express our gratitude for you.

On a final note, we the students should be proud of our accomplishments this year. Being able to rise back from the pandemic, stronger than ever. I had a wonderful year and wanted to once again say thank you to everyone. It’s sad to see some people leaving for different high schools, but I hope that our journeys will cross paths again someday. Until then, I am confident that you all will be successful in the future. I would like to wish those leaving, good luck with a common phrase in the Navy and Sea Cadets that many people use to wish others well:

 “May you have fair seas and following winds” 

Again, Congratulations! I wish the best for you all and keep SOARing iMiddle.

Author - Kyle Hoang