Jack (戴云起) Graduating from high school has been both expected and surprising. It is expected because I have always known I would never be expelled, I don't drink or do drugs. It is also surprising, because to me, graduation day always seems far away, and I never think that it is actually coming. However, today, it is no longer a dream. When I look back on my high school years, I appreciate every minute. First of all, in high school I am almost absolutely free. In my high school, there are only certain things that a student can't do, for example, drink, be racist, or be disrespectful. On the other hand, there is nothing this institution particularly values, particularly the individual. Essentially, everyone can choose to be whoever they want, and there is almost no peer pressure from. I have experimented with several lifestyles. I have not chosen exactly which one suits me yet, but my high school has provided me with the necessary guidance with which to make a choice. The freedom my high school gives me isn't the most important thing. It is the camaraderie I appreciate the most. The experience of camaraderie is so powerful that there is probably no way to put into words. Honestly, I still have no idea as to the actual meaning of camaraderie, but I do realize that it is part of our daily life. It could be a picture of my teacher Stephen Miller's cute little sons, could be a simple smile when we encounter each other, could be a discussion between students and teachers, could be a group hug. It is the connection of all of us, everyone in my high school. This feeling of community, or the feeling of connection among us is the most powerful thing we have ever experienced. By the time all the seniors met together with our advisors, many of us talked about the day we met and the great time we shared. Many of us cried, including most of the teachers. I come to realize that all this happened because we were speaking out of our shared experiences. Common emotions, like hidden strings, connected us together. Each individual felt exactly the same way as other people did in this community. Giving students a sense of camaraderie is the primary purpose of my high school education. To be fair, my high school is not strong academically at all. However, I think that I could receive stronger academic education in many other places on Earth, but will never experience this kind of community in any other place. I go through something so powerful that I will remember for the rest of my life. As I said in my graduation speech, it is my honor and fortune to be here, and it will be my honor and fortune for the rest of my life. Congratulations to the class of 2011! We will always be together, for the sake of God, for the sake of our school community, and for the sake of what we shared together. Farewell. ? | 