New Bern High School Shines the Light on Cindy Tran, Valedictorian
Each year, Craven County Schools features closing remarks from the valedictorian from our high schools. This year New Bern High School is proud to introduce Cindy Tran. Miss Tran had an opportunity to deliver her speech during the graduation commencement on May 28, 2021, at New Bern High School. Graduation was very special for the Class of 2021 since they were able to have a traditional ceremony after experiencing a not-so-normal 15 months due to the global pandemic. Students, families, and special guests were elated to have the chance to celebrate the Class of 2021 outside, on a very beautiful day. As each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diploma you could hear the joy and happiness expressed by all in attendance. Please enjoy Miss Tran’s speech as we celebrate the Class of 2021 and all their achievements this year.
“Wow, okay, hey, it's graduation day. Good morning family, friends, staff and most importantly graduates! Before I begin, I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to speak in front of you all today. Class of 2021, congratulations!
After 13 long years of schooling, we’ve made it to our long awaited graduation day. It seems like yesterday we were all freshmen in high school, unaware of how fast the next four years would fly by. Who would have thought almost half of our high school experience would be taught through the lovely Zoom. Despite not having the average high school experience, we’ve finally made it to the end of a prewritten chapter.
Now, after we leave this stadium today, we’re all given the opportunity to create our own path. We finally made it to the point in our life where everyone branches off and pursues different life choices. I truly believe that school is not for everyone including myself but we made it and somehow I made it up here in front of you all today. We are a prime example that perseverance and determination will create opportunities for you to reach the goals you have in life. As for those that did not persevere, and adapted to the new “norm” of school, welcome to graduation, and make sure you thank the staff for their consideration.
Seniors, despite having an untraditional senior year, I want to commend everyone on adapting to something that was and is out of our control. Just four years ago I would have never imagined us living through making history. Yet, here we are four years later living through what will be taught in the next generation. Some of our major events include our recent controversial presidential election, or the black and blue protests, and even the pandemic, or shall I say panoramic, for the tik tok watchers out there. Just four years ago, I would think we would have a normal senior year, in the classroom with everyone lugging around filled with senioritis. However, that wasn’t the case, instead we’re out here social distancing and wearing masks and sanitizing! Even to shake hands with Mr. Simmons, he is cool but he’s not famous.
As for me, over the past four years I’ve grown as a person both intellectually and mentally. New Bern High, you have taught me a lot about myself as a person, and have allowed me to positively grow into the woman I am today. One of the biggest takeaways from my experience would be to be a bigger person, which is ironic for me since I’m itty bitty, but that’s besides the point. It pays to be the bigger person in certain situations, and I learned that the hard way. Sometimes, no response is a response, and that’s something I’ve been trying to implement upon myself. Nonetheless, yes, I’ve grown as a person, but there’s something that I know will never change. If anyone knows me, you know that I expect everything to go my way, and I’m not going to lie, I still do. However, I did learn to deal with situations that I cannot control, and that’s only if I can’t control it, otherwise as my friend likes to say “princess Cindy’s way or no way.”
In closing I would like to take this opportunity to recognize some of the biggest headaches that have helped push me this far. I would like to thank my family, friends, and a few staff members that have stuck with me this far. After all, I am undoubtedly hard to deal with most times. Thank you to Coach Reese for always pushing me to do the right thing and be the bigger person and constantly telling me I’m better than the choices I make. Huge shout out to Mrs. Monroe, you made school enjoyable for me, and was always one of the biggest factors in pushing me to become a better student. P.S. that front desk looked better with me behind it anyways. Coach Davis, you’ve always been an amazing coach, but you were a better teacher. T-mack you’ve always been a person that has radiated positively, not only towards me but towards the NBH population of students. I appreciate you for all that you’ve done and having believed in me the past 2 years. Also, thank you for being my escort for senior night! Let’s not forget about Mr. McCallister, I’m overfilled with gratitude towards you for adopting me as one of your students my freshman year. You provided me the opportunity to take and learn relevant courses in-line with my future. You’ve provided the tools for me to build myself as a learner. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who contributed to getting me to where I am today, without you all, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.
Class of 2021, I want to congratulate each and every one of you for making it this far. I am so proud of everyone, in the face of adversity, you all rose above. Once again, congratulation class of 2021, as Elle Woods would say, “We did it!”. Go bears!!”-Cindy Tran, Valedictorian
