User:Marcus89hines

I am honored today for what officially has been designated as what I have accomplished, but Superintendent Whatley; Board Members; Mrs. Marshall, our leader; administrators; faculty; staff; family; friends; and the class of 2007, I humbly say, “I would be nothing without God, my family and the nurturing, support, and guidance I have received from countless others who have contributed to making me who I am. My parents and siblings have been my rock when the winds of life caused me trouble. My grandparents have been my hug when comfort was needed. However, I have an extended addition to my family, and this has been the Indians of Albany High. Over the past four years, I have come to realize and appreciate what John Donne was trying to convey when he stated, “No man is an island entire of itself, every man is a peace of the continent, a part of the main.” I feel connected to many members of my class and the AHS faculty in some way, and they will always have a place in the fabric of my memory. In fact, all of us can pull from memory a special person who touched us in some way. When we accept our diploma, that person will be with us. It may be a Kathy Russell who gently taught us what only Einstein understood, or a Karin Milner who made us tremble in our boots with the mention of derivatives. It could be a Jessica Cruel and Charlese Cobb who spent hours studying to make sure every tedious detail was correct. Or it could be an Adam Inyang and Shanti Childs, whose crazy antics and jokes never failed to make a stressful situation disappear. It may be a Leigh Shepherd and Robert Rusconi whose enthusiasm made those dreadful subjects a little more interesting. Or it may be that your mind pulled up an Aleiya Butler and Javetta Clemmons whose timely wisdom and advice never failed to make a situation better. Then again, it may be an Anita Tunstall whose dedication and unselfish consideration made you soar. With these memories come unsuppressed tears, but our tears are not caused by a friend’s departure, but rather they are tears of a fraternal bond that will be extended beyond this moment, not broken. Although our paths may now diverge, every math problem I do, every test I study for, every joke I may tell will all have the fingerprints of the many Indians that have touched my life. From my biological family to my AHS family, I am fortunate to have had people in my life that looked for the best in me. Emerson once said, “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.” The Class of 2007 found this at Albany High. We found friends, acting parents, confidants, encouragers, disciplinarians, and teachers. When we fell down, they lifted us up. When we were tired, they allowed us to lean on them. When we could do everything on our own, they stood by – just in case. A parable is told of two seas in Palestine. One sea is fresh. Fish live in it, and trees and bushes grow near it. Children splash and play in it. The river Jordan flows into this sea with sparkling water from the hills. The same Jordan flows south into another sea. But here there are no fish, no green things, and no children playing. Stale air hangs above its waters and neither man nor beast will drink from it. What makes the difference between these seas? It is not the Jordan River, for it empties the same good water into both rivers. The difference is that the Sea of Galilee receives water, but does not keep it. For every drop that flows in, another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure. The other sea gives nothing. It is called the Dead Sea. The Class of 2007 and all the students have been blessed with a Sea of Galilee away from home. Albany High’s life-giving water has made it possible for us to arise, go forth, and conquer our dreams. And to these human tributaries we say, “Thank you for being a friend, travel down the road and back again. Your heart is true; you’re a pal and a confidant. Thank you for being a friend.”