Congratulations Class of 2026!
SALUTATORIAN SIENA GARLICK
CLASS OF 2026
H ello, and welcome, students, families, friends, faculty, and staff. My name is Siena Garlick, the Salutatorian of the Class of 2026. It is truly an honor to be standing here today in front of you all, and it still feels a bit unreal to think that my journey throughout high school has finally come to an end. Though I am incredibly grateful to be here speaking to you all, I know that I wouldn’t have been able to make it here without the help and support from both my family and teachers. For that, I thank my parents for their unending support, my teachers for their flexibility and willingness to help in any way that they could, and my peers for their incredibly welcoming and friendly demeanor. As I’m standing here, looking out at everyone who has attended — either to receive their diploma or to show their support — it seems almost unbelievable that my time at Maricopa Virtual Academy has come to an end. Throughout my time studying here, I was constantly surprised by how welcoming and attentive both the staff and the students were. As an online student, I’m sure that my educational journey was different from that of many of those present. My first year attending, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. In my experience before coming to Maricopa Virtual Academy, virtual schooling was a challenge, mostly due to communication difficulties between students and staff. It was always a struggle to contact teachers for questions or clarification, and it felt like there was an insurmountable wall between student and teacher. When I enrolled here, I expected much the same. However, thankfully, I was delightfully surprised by just how dedicated the teachers were to their students. It felt like I was truly able to connect with my teachers, and I was never ignored or left unheard. I was actually able to get to know my teachers as people, rather than just the staff who graded my assignments. Although there were certainly difficulties and misunderstandings as I navigated this new environment, my teachers were the ones constantly supporting me and making sure that I was able to know what to do and where to go. I’m absolutely confident in saying that I would not be here today without their support. In addition to thanking my teachers, I would also like to thank my family for their unending support. My journey through my teenage years as I navigated through new challenges and difficulties has certainly not been
easy, and I doubt I would be able to stand here before you all today without the help and support that my family has lent me. Now, as I stand here ready to graduate, it feels unbelievable to think that my time here is over. I know I’m going to miss the friends I made here, and I’m sure that many of my classmates feel the same. However, though my journey throughout high school is over, I know that my journey throughout life is just beginning. There are so many choices for our future, so many paths that we can forge as we set out on our journey into the world. It’s incredible, knowing how much is ahead of us. In this world, you can truly be anything you want; all that you need is the drive and determination to pursue what you seek. The uncertainty of what follows after graduation may be daunting, but I do not doubt that every one of my peers will be able to reach their highest potential and find their true calling if they put the time and effort into pursuing it. With an endless world of possibilities before us, I, for one, cannot wait to begin forging my own path and discover what new experiences life has to offer.
MVA • Class of 2026
Class of 2026 • MVA
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