LEISD 2025 Senior Perspective
A Message from 2025 Libery-Eylau Valedictorian Emoni Anderson
Good evening, everyone—faculty, family, friends, and most importantly, the amazing Class of 2025. As I stand before you all this evening, I am beyond proud of how far we have come as a class. Throughout this journey, we have faced adversity, but we did not allow those obstacles to hinder us from making it to this very moment. With that being said, before I go any further in my speech, let’s give ourselves a well-deserved round of applause.
A week ago today, at my final choir concert of my high school career, I performed the song “Blessed and Highly Favored” by The Clark Sisters alongside two of my closest friends, A’Bria Allison and Omarijuan Hayden. The lyrics of this song have been heavily resonating with me as I reflect on my time in high school. “He brought me through hard trials. He brought me through tribulations. Never let a day go by, and not realize.. that had it not been for the Lord who was on my side.” Standing behind this podium as your Class of 2025 valedictorian, I know that it was God who brought me this far. I would have given up on this goal years ago if not for Jesus Christ and the support system I have been blessed with.
If someone had told me as a freshman that I would conclude high school by standing in front of my fellow classmates and giving my valedictorian speech, I would have taken it as a joke. For the last four years of upholding my #1 rank and 4.0 GPA, I have been tested in every way. There have been weeks where the pressures of life have weighed on me significantly. There were even numerous days when I was so unmotivated that I would not leave the confines of my bedroom. As students, we are burdened with the task of simultaneously juggling classes, sports, extracurricular activities, jobs, church, family responsibilities, and mental health. I know some of my classmates have endured sleepless nights, tears of frustration, and days where we feel like we aren’t doing enough. Nevertheless, by God’s grace, we are here tonight to turn our tassels and celebrate the accomplishment of graduating high school.
In addition, I would like to thank my parents for the role they’ve played in shaping who I am as a person and the support they’ve shown me since I entered this world. They have always invested in my future and instilled in me the importance of believing in myself and the power of God. They prayed over me constantly, kept me smiling during my darkest days, and never failed to make sure I was okay. There has never been a time that I was unaware of their unwavering support and love for me. I’m deeply grateful to my entire family—my brother, niece, uncles, aunties, cousins, and loved ones who are no longer with me. To my bonus family—my closest friends—thank you for being my constant source of strength. Your love, support, and motivation are truly unmatched.
I would also like to thank the many teachers that have sown into my life. I have always been an Eylau baby, and I truly appreciate the vital role every teacher and educator has played in my growth. Ms. Body, Ms. Clardy, Ms. Greene, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Vaughn, Mrs. Neal—you all greatly impacted my younger years. Since being in high school, I am forever grateful to people like Mrs. Nard, Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Lindy, Mrs. Yarber, and even Mr. G, who had me stressed out every time I entered his classroom. And, of course, Mrs. Pickering and everyone’s favorite senior teacher, Ms. Norman, you both already know how special you are to me.
Last but definitely not least—my classmates—I am forever grateful for all of the amazing memories we have created together. Our ability to come together and have a good time or support our classmates, no matter the circumstance or how close each one of us is to one another, has been a blessing. I am so excited to see what God has in store for each and every one of us. Outsiders like to look down on the Eylau, but when I look out at all of you, I see excellence. I see an amazing group of scholars consisting of future doctors, engineers, educators, artists, and people who I know will greatly impact others and the world in general.
Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So, as we step into this next chapter of our lives and I conclude my speech, I want to encourage my fellow Class of 2025 graduates to trust God’s plan for your life. I know entering a new chapter can be scary. Trust me, I’m nervous too. But I also know that if we have made it through these past four years, we are more than capable of overcoming the remaining obstacles that we will face throughout our lives. Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” So, those goals and dreams that you’re set to achieve? Let’s make it possible y’all. I love you all and wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Always remember and cherish the memories, friendships, and lessons that our high school years have given us as we go our separate ways. No matter where life takes us, we will always be one big Eylau family. And remember: Leopard Pride Never Dies. Congratulations, Class of ’25! We did it!
