Editor’s Note: Today, The Daily Leader continues publication of area high school valedictorian and salutatorian graduation speeches. The following address is from Mississippi School of the Arts Salutatorian Satrina Massey.

 In two years, we have seen many things – fun, awful, hilarious, and heartbreaking. For instance, I remember hastily grabbing a jacket and sliding on flip-flops before rushing down the stairs and out of the Student Life Center at 11:00 one very chilly evening.

What else could send the entire student body outside at such an ungodly hour but a fire alarm? We discovered that we stood shivering because of an unfortunate incident involving Ramen noodles and a microwave.

The Class of 2013 has lived through a sadly failed trip to an amusement park, a most unpleasant venture at a lake, and a long night at a restaurant with the most terrible service known to man.

Although these things did not quite go according to plan, we still managed to create fond (and laughable) memories, and we still were able to grow closer, into the diverse family we are now.

Staff members, on that note, I thank you. You work diligently to organize these trips and to make being at MSA so enjoyable. The workers at MSA care about all of us and understand how very busy we are, so they go to great efforts to give us fun opportunities.

I would like to thank them all – Mrs. Hirsch, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Pauline, Mr. Benny and all staff members, thank you so much for all that you do for us.

Teachers, you are why we improve in our art and learn. You challenge us to try unfamiliar approaches to our art, and you teach us how to excel. Without your guidance, we would roam aimlessly and do whatever seems like a nice idea, which is seldom actually a nice idea. Teachers – our discipline and academic teachers – thank you so much for your time, care and heart.

Parents, God bless you. Some of you had a very hard time letting go of your children when you helped them move into MSA, knowing that this was one of the first steps of moving out and becoming an adult.

Now, you are saying goodbye to your babies as they move away to college and start the path to finding a career and “growing up.” Some of you, on the other hand, are quite happy to be getting rid of us! You finally get a chance to breathe and have a quiet house again.

Chances are, your kids are also excited, ready to be away from home at last! No matter what, we know that you love us, and we thank you so much for what you have done for us.

Daddy, Mama, thank you for signing me up for those piano lessons all those years ago. Thank you for teaching me respect, obedience, kindness, and Christ-like love through your actions. Thank you for all the love you put into my life, and thank you for continuing to support me now that I am moving on in life.

Class of 2013, although we may never see each other again, we cannot deny that we have been changed because of this time we have spent together. I would like to think that we have all grown better because of our time together.

Friends, classmates, “roomies” or whatever, we are still one family. So even when you burn the Ramen, or if you get us lost trying to find Bertha’s Flower Shop, you will still be my sister or brother.

You all know what is expected of you in the future. Dream big. Reach new heights. Shoot for the stars. All of these cliché sayings go without saying, because you will succeed.

Granted, some individuals may accomplish far greater things than others, but we will each succeed, if we try, because we are survivors of MSA. Once you have been to MSA, you will never be the same. You will always hold something special within you that will distinguish you from countless others.

So, then, keep on being amazing, and have a great time at college or wherever you go. I wish you all the luck, and love, in the world.