Ken Nelson

Brian gives his graduation speech 

The Montessori school Brian & Jenny attends currently only teaches to the 6th grade. So yesterday was their Spring Performance & 6th Grade Graduation. They sing songs, play recorders, recite poems, and the six 6th graders gave graduation speeches.

Brian’s is below.  It was funny and very well received. He led into it with an unplanned joke. “I’d asked Ms. Wand for a tele-prompter, but unfortunately the school doesn’t own one. I’d heard using one was the way to get ahead these days….”

Hi, I’m Brian Nelson. My sister, Jenny, and I have been attending Dayspring Montessori for eight years. She’s in 4^th grade this year. Jenny, please stand up. Now sit down, this is my speech.

My parents suggested that I discuss what attending Dayspring has meant to me. I said, “You mean other than saving me from being homeschooled by Mom?”. I’ve never attended any other school but Dayspring, so I don’t know anything different. What I DO know is that Dayspring seems to try harder. What I DO know is that in addition to helping me excel in writing and reading (my favorite subjects), they also challenged me in harder subjects for me (like Algebra).

It didn’t stop at the basics (reading, writing, ‘rithmatic), I’ve been taught how the legal system works by expert trial attorneys . Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Kendrick, please stand up….now sit down, it’s my speech. I’ve been taught photography by a very handsome (doesn’t even look 44) professional photographer, stand up Dad….Ladies & Gentlemen, Ken Nelson (now sit down – my speech remember).

Who would have thought that a small school like ours could mount an extravaganza like the First African Christmas program? Ms. Fulton, an experienced thespian and choreographer, led the effort for that first year’s production. She’s moved on, but her legacy continues on in our annual productions.

Our Moab trips…..AWESOME. What other school in the entire state would throw their kids off 180 foot cliffs, try to drown them in white water rapids all while providing such luxurious sleeping accommodations? THAT’S the Dayspring difference.

Today marks my graduation from the sixth grade. Which means I’m exactly half way to graduating from high school. Next year I will attend Fossil Ridge Intermediate School. I’m a tad nervous and sad to be leaving Dayspring. But I know that they’ve prepared me well and I promise to keep trying hard and to continue to love to learn.

In closing…..

I would like to thank my parents for paying for this fancy private education and for helping me with my Algebra (^grimace). I would like to thank all the parents who have volunteered their time helping me and the school.

And all of my teachers over these 8 years…. Thank you Mrs. Bergeson. Thank you Mrs. Littlepage. Thank you Mrs. Jones. Thank you Mrs. Mikkelson. Thank you Mrs. Chadaz. Thank you Mrs. Green. And especially, thank you Ms. Wand for putting your heart into…everything.

THANK YOU