As they stood with their feet firmly planted in their last precious moments as students of Corning High School, Valedictorian Emily Luttrell and Salutatorian Ava Goodman, each took fond looks at the past with glimpses into the future, as they addressed their classmates at the Corning High School 2024 graduation.

Valedictorian Emily Luttrell expressed to her contemporaries that it was the day they had waited for since they all began school and that no matter the direction each student took, whether it was to be college, trade school or work, Corning High School would remain with them.

She advised them that childhood friendships will always be a part of their lives in some way and that life is a journey and to make it an adventure. She said, “We also need to remember to have big dreams and always follow them no matter what they may be. Times can be difficult and dreams may feel out of reach, but hard work and determination are key to achievement. I personally had times myself where I’ve been discouraged, but thinking positively changed the outcome. Audrey Hepburn would say, “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m Possible.” Don’t ever think that dreams are impossible to accomplish because that’s not the case. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it and believe it can be. Always live big, work hard and have the right mindset and those things that seem unimaginable can become reality. Lastly, remember to not be afraid about changes that come with life. After graduation, we will all become individuals and discover what else life has to offer.”

Luttrell instructed her fellow graduates that although transitions can be scary that without change, nothing can be accomplished. “Life is full of surprises, and these can only happen through the changes that come with it,” she said. “Remember that no matter how life evolves, everything happens for a reason.”

In closing she reminded the seniors that as this chapter of their lives comes to a close, it is just the beginning of what is to come. “Our time at CHS may be ending, but the lifelong lessons we have learned from our experiences will carry on throughout our lives. No matter where each of us goes, we’ll always be a Corning Bobcat at heart.”

“Why can’t you wait?”, Ava Goodman, Salutatorian of the 2024 Class of Corning High School asked as she addressed her classmates. “Many of us have used the phrase, “I can’t wait” as in, “I can’t wait for summer”, “I can’t wait for senior year”, “I can’t wait for graduation.” “But why can’t you wait? What is so important that you’re willing to lose out on this moment right now?”

Goodman told the seniors, “We’re distracted, waiting for days to come.” She recalled, “We couldn’t wait for recess or lunch, to be out for the summer or to be able to drive. We couldn’t wait to be in high school, to be seniors, and of course, the big one; to graduate. For the parents and grandparents, who couldn’t wait to see us take our first steps, our first words, get on the bus for the first time and see us graduate kindergarten. Looking back, we have so many amazing memories.  Some we couldn’t wait for, and others that we couldn’t wait to be over.”

The Salutatorian counseled her classmates that by constantly anticipating the future, they were sacrificing the now. She asked them to take away one thing from her speech and that was for them to enjoy where they are, wait patiently and to enjoy and savor every single moment.

“Our future will certainly arrive,” she said, “but this exact moment right now, is never going to happen again. So in the moment now, before the moment fades into just another simple memory, don’t be so caught up in the future that you forget to cherish the moment you are living in.”

She directed the soon-to-be alumni not to be so quick to wish these days away for something better because the present moment is the only time they are truly living. “Experience all the highs, all the lows and everything in between. Enjoy all the laughs, the cries, all the little things. Cherish the last wave goodbye to your friends, last hugs with your family, and your last time at Corning High School as a high school student. Enjoy your journey to come and enjoy the present moment because that new thing you can’t wait for will be here soon enough. I believe in the potential that lies within this class, and I cannot wait to see amazing things you all will achieve in the future.”