Good Afternoon, My name is Colby Allen and I am the BRHS Student Body President ... For approximately 45 more minutes.

I am honored to stand here before you representing the incredible Class of 2024. Each one of us embodies the essence of hard work, passion, and ability in everything we do.

Reflecting on our journey together, I recall a moment that truly encapsulates the class of 2024's dedication to hard work. Last year, during a volunteering event for sticker shock with Larry Brown, the questions he asked us about our summer jobs revealed the hardworking nature of members of our class. To his amazement, every single one of us had secured a job for the summer, with some balancing up to three. Larry's delight in our proactive approach to hard work, both during the summer months and even throughout the school year, was applicable to the hard work each and every one of us prioritizes in both our personal and professional lives.Whether it b e the commitment to our senior prank by sawing a car in half for 15 hours, or taking advantage of the job opportunities present in our vibrant community, I know the class of 2024 will carry their attributes of hard work into the next chapter of their lives.

Passion is best defined as a strong desire, or devotion to an "activity, object, or concept," but the class of 2024 defines passion in their own way. The graduates before us have attained a passion of their own, that has guided their path, and structured their future. Passions can change, and they most likely will, but the diligence and perseverance the class of 2024 has put into discovering their passion is unmatched.

We entered high school in a time where meeting with your peers was over a screen, and collecting rolls of toilet paper was a normality. It was up to us to make the best of our high school experience and discover: classes, sports, and extracurriculars that could drive our success, and our passions through the next 4 years of high school, and so we did. The collective efforts from our class when it came to fundraising, and school events often evoked remarks like "wow, I haven't seen a class like this in a while" and "you guys are so tight knit." So to all the underclassmen in the audience, look for connections and friendships in unsuspecting places, and and *just *show *up for your class, friends, and acquaintances made along the way.

The passion that runs through all of us, has gotten us this far, from winning homecoming and winter carnival for two consecutive years, to discovering resources, and pathways in uncustomary times. All of which will drive the passions of the class of 2024 a long way. Although being personable isn't always easy to achieve, the class of 2024 does a great job at faking it ... In all seriousness though, the well-rounded young adults sitting to my right strive to make a good impression on those around them. From supporting a suffering community, with the Lewiston Strong bracelet fundraiser, to entertaining the folks at St. Andrews village, with a good-ole game of Bingo, the members of the class of 2024 will undoubtedly enter an unknown world, kind-hearted and act selflessly.

Robin S Sharma couldn't have given better advice: "Be a warrior when it comes to delivering on your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love." As you enter this next chapter of your life, celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. Never let go of your unwavering work ethic, passions, and personable character.

I want to thank the entire class of 2024 for exhibiting these attributes. This exhibition has shaped me into the young adult I am today. So here's to a future with limitless possibilities.