Wisdom Shared by the Class of 2025

While the Class of 2025 has finished walking the halls of the Academy, the legacy they have left will continue long after they are gone, thanks in part to an SAA tradition: Senior Voices.  The Senior Voices program began in 2007 and since that time the members of each graduating class have shared reflections and words of wisdom with their classmates and underclassmen.

At Upper School assemblies throughout the year, seniors use their experiences to motivate and inspire other students. The Class of 2025 reflections were heartfelt, honest, and empowering. Speeches addressed many topics including the power of love and gratitude, challenging yourself, keeping a positive mindset, being true to yourself, and being open to change and new opportunities.

Below is a small sampling of the pearls of wisdom imparted by the Class of 2025, with excerpts from a few of the many Senior Voices that were presented.

Wisdom Shared – “You hold the key to your happiness.”

Madeline Marcantel

Relying on others to make you happy is only temporary. Be your own best friend.Being happy with yourself and staying true to who you are will bring happiness. Treat yourself with kindness and celebrate your victories, whether that’s making an A on a quiz or stepping out of your comfort zone. A big part of holding the key to your own happiness is to forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for the decisions you have made, the things you have said, and the actions that have negatively affected others. We are all perfectly imperfect. We just have to do better.

Wisdom Shared – “Change is not something that happens to us, it is something that happens for us.”

Mary Mac Gilland

Change brings growth, new opportunities, and fresh perspectives. It challenges us, pushes us to adapt, and shows us new parts of ourselves that we might not have discovered otherwise. And while it’s natural and normal to feel sad or frustrated when something we care about shifts or fades away; there’s a deeper truth we often overlook: it’s not about what we lose, it’s about what we gain. But we can’t see the gain in the moment, it’s only in retrospect that we see it.

Wisdom Shared – “Second chances give us hope, a hope for better things, for growth, for redemption.”

Parker Raines

I’m a big fan of second chances because without them, we'd be filled with resentment and bitterness. So please, if you have a second chance to give, give it with an open heart, and if you're the one being given that second chance, take it and make the most out of it. You never know what beautiful things can come from the power of second chances. 

Wisdom Shared – “It’ll all work out.”

Madelyn Allison

Although this phrase is a bit cliche, I believe it puts things in perspective, even if we don't understand it at the time. “It’ll all work out” is a simple motto that has helped me get through hard situations with a better attitude. And I challenge you all to try this saying in some area of your life and see if it can also make a difference for you. 

Wisdom Shared – “Sometimes what is uncomfortable is necessary.”

Kate Nieman

Don’t give up when something isn’t easy. We all go through something, and we are usually left better because of it. So, whatever your challenge is, remember, you can do hard things. God gives us challenges for a reason. God has a plan for every one of us, and as hard as it can be, it is important that we trust in Him.