Valedictorian Speech
Talmud Torah Class of 2010
Marlee Soroka
1 June 2010
What is a family? Everyone has their own definition. The meaning of family is different to every one of us. Do you think mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, maybe even pets? Well when I think of family I think of all these things and friendship, the friendships I have made.
Talmud Torah has been very good to me. I had the advantage of learning the Hebrew language and strengthening my Jewish identity, learning from excellent teachers, and the privilege of growing up with amazing classmates.
I began my schooling at Talmud Torah as a shy, frightened two year old. Never would I have guessed that in thirteen years I would be standing here tonight, in front of all of you, saying goodbye. Throughout these thirteen years classmates have come and gone, but what remains is a family. It sounds so sappy, but really it’s true. We are like siblings, supportive of each other at times, yet aren’t afraid to push each other’s buttons. We are that close. When you are together in confined quarters for seven hours a day, five days a week, you are bound to get on each other’s nerves. But that’s family.
I still remember the days, back when our feet didn’t even reach the ground when we sat at our desks. I remember staring up at the older kids, intimidated by their size, and eyeing that Junior High table that would eventually be ours. Now that we are those scary big kids, all we want to do is sit on the kindergarten carpet and take a nap. Life was so much simpler then. We are now faced with midterms, finals and thinking about the future.
I cannot lie. For me, getting here was not easy. Literally my mom couldn’t find the school on my first day. But seriously, every moment of school was a challenge. But along the way my family, friends and teachers gave me the strength and support I needed to succeed.
As nervous kindergartners, Robin was there to teach us the ropes, hold our hands and wipe our tears. Our junior high teachers have inspired and motivated us in so many ways as well as all of the wonderful teachers in between. Thank you for guiding us in our journeys at Talmud Torah.
Talmud Torah has given all of us the confidence to succeed in whatever comes our way. From the beginning, our teachers have nurtured and educated us. We can now leave Talmud Torah with the knowledge and confidence we need to be successful in high school and beyond. Our future is bright.
I am honoured to be able to speak to all of you tonight about the everlasting friendships that Talmud Torah has given me. No where else would I have met such passionate, determined and amazing people if I had not stayed at TT. I never felt that I couldn’t be myself around them. The friendships that I have made on this journey will carry me through whatever path I choose.
I am confident that we can succeed in anything we set our minds to if we just believe in ourselves, in life, in new beginnings, in tomorrow, one day at a time.
It is a privilege to have been chosen to speak to all of you and I want to thank everyone for making my years at Talmud Torah, ones that I will always remember.
Congratulations to all of my classmates, the Talmud Torah class of 2010.
Marlee
