JT Tan

Life is full of surprises. We create some of the best memories from surprises. That’s one of the biggest parts of our lives. We never know what it will be until we get it. I've been blessed to receive many surprises from being a state champion to receiving a college scholarship and playing the sport I love at the highest level. The current times are definitely one of the worst surprises that are affecting everyone in the world, especially those of us in our senior year.  It makes me think back to all the great memories I made, such as the two trips to Canada with the basketball team. My favorite memory from Canada would definitely be hanging out in the airports, messing around. Another few great memories are the friendships I've created at RHP. These include everything from making a movie in APUSH to throwing pies at our teachers' faces. Other great memories include outdoor ed from freshman, sophomore and senior year. And I'm not gonna lie, junior year outdoor ed was just terrible. Sorry, Yosemite, but I'm probably never going back.  

But besides that all I can think of right now are were the good times from RHP. So I just think to myself, “wow, senior year is practically over and there's nothing we can do about it.” I also think of all the memories from past summers and spring breaks. I know that there is a chance that I might not have a summer.  From going around the United States playing in different states to spending nights with my family at an amusement park to even hitting my dad with a car (Which of course I felt bad at the moment but is pretty funny to think about now ) I'm just gonna miss these moments.  

When you leave this speech today, I want you to leave knowing that you need to enjoy the moment. Enjoy the grind. Because when the good moments are over, it’s over, and you can never go back. Thank you.