Forest Charter School High School Graduation“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.; Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau In May of 2006, Forest bid farewell to its 60 graduates in a ceremony held at the Grass Valley Veteran’s Hall. The theme was “Leave a Legacy” and the two speakers, Valedictorian Olivia Saccomanno and Jeff Rice, shared some inspirational words with this theme in mind. Here are some highlights from their speeches: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?...Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you...And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." – Nelson Mandela Olivia encouraged her fellow graduates to “Give yourself permission to leave a legacy - be brilliant.” Using the above quote from Nelson Mandela as a foundation for her message, she asked her peers the following question: "What do you give the world permission to do?" Jeff Rice’s speech harmonized with Olivia’s when he addressed the graduates and said: “Leaving your legacy is really all about being a pioneer. Pioneers are leaders, the first to successfully achieve a new vision. You are pioneers to the degree you are able to honor your true self and discover and reach your greatest potential in this life. This is your legacy: the expression and fulfillment of the unique individual you are meant to be. Each of us has a unique purpose; a unique dream; a unique set of gifts to give to this world. Leaving your legacy is about discovering your unique purpose and expression. You are living a life unlike any that has ever been lived before, and unlike any that will ever be lived hereafter.”
Congratulations Forest Charter’s Class of 2006:
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