My how time flies!!!

I can't get over how much time has flown by... and how fast!!!! The last post I entered was like 3 weeks before my graduation... and here it has already been like 4 weeks since!!! I simply cannot get over how fast time goes by. ... Its crazyness.
The picture above was taken after my convocation ceremony... and in case you don't know who everyone is... From left to right is: Bill Lawrence (my Dad), Stephanie Lawrence (my little sis), Me, Nathan, and Suzanne Lawrence (my Mama). I was just starting to relax, as I had already given my valedictory address.... and if you notice... I am also carrying my diploma.... SO exciting!!! If I remember... I'll also include a copy of my speech so ya'll can read it!! :)
The countdown to our move is getting SOOO close!!! We only have FORTY days left!!! In reality that is SUCH a small amount of time!!! I can't even begin to grasp where the time has gone since we first accepted the call to Essex... It seems like just yesterday we were talking about taking the trip up... and now here we are talking about the move up. I have to say, we are VERY excited!!! I can't wait!!!

Here is a copy of the speech:

Valedictorian Address By: Mandy Hill

Good evening, fellow graduates, friends, family, honored guests, faculty and staff. We come, gathered together to celebrate the accomplishments of the winter 2007 graduates from Nova Scotia Community College. We are an assorted group with graduates in the Schools of Applied Arts & New Media, Business, Health & Human Services and Trades & Technology.

To my fellow classmates, we've made it. We've finally made it. We are graduating. Congratulations. Congratulations not only to us, the graduates, for achieving excellence in academics, athletics and the arts, both in school and out, but also congratulations to our instructors, parents, friends, families and staff of the NSCC. Our success is your success, for you have given us the freedom to dare, the courage to excel and the belief that we can achieve our best. You have been there for us with support and care; you had faith when we doubted ourselves. For all these things we thank you.

The most prevalent reward for attending NSCC is the practical experience that partners with the classroom time. Many of us have experienced firsthand the feeling of confidence as you walk into the work force, equipped to utilize the skills we have learned in our classrooms and labs. In our journey, our instructors provided encouragement along with a helping hand.

In addition to the beneficial practical experiences NSCC offers, there are also benefits in the connections we have made with our instructors. The practical nursing instructors at Kingstec; Cindy, Judy, Aine, Monique, Norma, Chris, and Cheryl were all open to suggestions, were all willing to listen to our ideas for improvement, and certainly proved to be patient with a willing ear. I’m sure that all of us have at least one instructor, if not more, that we will remember forever, and will continue to keep in contact with. I personally wish to thank Judy Hainstock, who did not necessarily give me everything I wanted when I asked, but did, however, place me in areas where she know I would excel, and then smiled when I would thank her in the end.

My NSCC portfolio is my greatest trophy. My portfolio encouraged me to present my past and present achievements in an artistic exhibit, which took time and effort, but was so much fun for me!!! I commend NSCC for implementing this piece of learning as a part of all programs. Prospective employers were captivated by this phenomenon called a Portfolio, and this aided me in fielding many offers of employment.

I am sure that all of us have made at least one lasting friendship from our experience as a student at NSCC. I have made great friendships that I wouldn’t trade for the world. NSCC encourages friendships and sees the importance of maintaining a professional level of respect and loyalty to those whom are our colleagues.

It is impossible for me to try to sum up the NSCC experience in a few minutes since we all have such different experiences. I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us, especially our families. Without support from people like our parents and partners, and without the love of people like the faculty of our programs, we could not have succeeded to get us even to today. We should also thank our friends, who have tolerated our stresses, sighs and struggles during this academic experience, and have helped occasionally pull us out of the cacophony of learning and to bring us back to reality.

I personally would like to thank my husband Nathan; Nathan, we may not have it all together, but when we’re together we have it all, Thanks for walking this journey with me hand in hand!! And to my parents: Bill and Suzanne Lawrence for their consistency in encouraging me throughout my life. Thanks to you both for sharing my dream, and being on the side-lines cheering me on as I chase it!!!

I hope that everyone’s time at NSCC has been as rewarding as mine has been. We all go in different directions at this time, into a future that is unknown but very exciting. I hope that your futures are full of happiness and success and I hope to have the honor of working beside you again someday.

Let me leave you with this final thought: “You are educated. Your certification is in your Diploma. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life, but allow me to ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”

Congratulations Graduates of 2007

Hope that you all are enjoying your day...

Keep in touch everyone,

Mandy xoxox