A Charge To Seniors

A Word From Ms. Malloy

Seniors, you did it!

I am honored to represent the faculty this year in wishing you the loudest and proudest virtual congratulations! One of the coolest parts of being a high school teacher is watching you grow in confidence, character, and academics from new ninth-graders to high school graduates. You left the safety of your base schools and peers you have known for years because you were ready to work with a diverse group of classmates from all over the county. You took on the challenge of college courses starting as freshmen in high school because you knew the risk was worth the reward. You learned that it is okay to fail at new and hard things because you can come back from those failures even stronger and wiser. Some of you walked through tragedy and hardship no teenager should ever have to face, but you made it through, because you realized your own strength and the strength of your support system.

Over the last four years, you have become more confident, independent, flexible, wise, and inspired. No matter what your next step is, you are ready for it. No matter what your next step is, we are proud of you. Teachers often get a reputation for caring only about your academic well-being. I want to let you in on a little secret: we don't really care about your grades. Don't get me wrong, we want you to earn grades that reflect your ability and hard work, but it's not about the actual grade for us. We want you to learn. We want you to see what we see in you. We want you to push yourselves, not because you think that is what is expected of you, but because you know you are capable of it. We love to see you win awards, get scholarships, receive acceptance letters to colleges, and select career fields or military branches to enter, but those things do not change how we see you. You are valued because of who you are. Your identity does not rest on what you do, or don't do. Regardless of what your next step looks like, just make it count. Reach for YOUR goals. Have grace for others and have grace for yourself.

We may be part of your past now, but your NDA family will forever be cheering you on from afar! Congratulations, Nesbitt Discovery Academy Class of 2020!

Ms. Autumn Malloy