CHESHIRE, Mass. — Valedictorian Talia Rehill reminded the 40 members of the class of 2024 to take on the world like a hurricane.
"This is the nature of the hurricane, where passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence define who we are," she said in her address Friday evening. "Let us carry this mindset with us as we forge ahead, knowing that with an unstoppable resolve and a steadfast commitment to our goals, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way."
Rehill, who is the second Hoosac Valley student to attend Harvard, told the class of 2024 how this mindset has helped her accomplish her dreams, noting she always had a passion for learning and an even greater drive to achieve. She said in 2020 she penned her fate on a piece of paper, writing she would be the valedictorian and would attend Harvard upon graduation.
"All these years later, that handwritten goal remains hanging on my bedroom wall. I remember first holding that paper up to my wall and securing it with Scotch Tape. I remember knowing that my dream was far-fetched to any rational person, but it never was to me," she said. "I remember knowing that I would achieve everything I said I would down to the very last word."
But she did not want to become a "Harvard robot" and she said she "succumbed to Applebee’s, hangouts by Jack’s bonfire, and a dive into Onota Lake" when homework felt like a "weight too heavy."
She reminded her classmates that no matter what their dreams are, to maintain their "wild side."
"For all the students who are here in the stands today with the dream and the drive, topped with the need for fun, my advice to you is to give in," she said. "Having a wild side is a wonderful thing that will teach you more about life than you could ever pull from a book. Your high school years are meant to be enriched by your classrooms and your clubs, but the real development is what happens to you when you’re vulnerable."
In closing, she asked the class of 2024 to think about where they have come from, noting the small rural community has helped form them.
"As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, let us remember that hard work will always triumph over mere talent. Coming from a small town like ours, where opportunities may seem limited and the odds may sometimes feel stacked against us, we have learned the true value of perseverance and resilience," she said. "...Being a part of the Hoosac Valley community has instilled in us a spirit of determination and grit that propels us to work twice as hard to achieve our dreams."
Rehill also asked for a moment of silence for class of 2024 member Noah Brown. Brown was struck and killed by a car in 2015. Although eight at the time, he would have been a member of the class of 2024.
Salutatorian David Scholz took a moment to thank family, friends, and teachers and acknowledged the milestone he and his classmates have achieved by graduating.
"Today is an occasion that we have looked forward to since our first time stepping into the high school, or maybe even before that," Scholz said. "Above all, it is a memorable day for everyone here because it marks an important milestone in our lives. None of us are here by mistake, and this shows a cumulation of our hard work, dedication, and perseverance day in and day out."
Scholz said the last week was special because seniors opened their time capsules that they sealed in 9th grade. He said it was a reminder of many fond memories, but also challenges including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic their freshman year.
