�I would now like to introduce you to our valedictorian, Alyson Almond.� the principal said, and as Alyson rose, her four friends cheered her on. She smiled as she reached the podium, and locked eyes with Tara for a second.
Alyson began slowly, but built up her speed as she went, �I am very proud to say today that I am a member of the Baker High Class of 2003. This is an extraordinary class, with the highest number of cum laude graduates in twenty years. With the IB and AP programs firmly in place, this is a class with a high success rate, and for sure we will all do very well in our future plans. My success has not been strictly academic, though. A lot of my success is all because of my family and my best friends who have been there and supported me all through my school years, and enabled me to be the best I could be. I want to send a shout-out to my mom, Lorelai Wyatt, my dad, David Almond, my siblings; Alyssa, Arielle, and Peyton, and my best friends, Tara, Kennedi, Siobhan, and Madison. My best friends are amazing people, and I consider myself lucky every day to have them.
I�ve known Tara Maclayne for over twelve years, since Kindergarten. We met over a broken yellow crayon, and she�s been my friend ever since. She�s always been there, even when the world seemed dark. Her smile brightens up any day, and she�s such a compassionate person, I know she will get very far in life. Thank you, Tara.
Tara and I met Madison Winters in eighth grade. She�s the most outgoing and headstrong of us five, and she makes me proud every time she stands up for what she wants. She, too, is always there for a friend, and is a terrific talker. Thank you, Madison.
We hadn�t been in high school a month before we met Siobhan Arintero. Siobhan is the sweetest person, she had my heart the day we met. She�s been through the most of all of us, and the only thing I can say that will be enough is, I�m proud of you Siobhan. You made it, just like the rest of us. Thank you for being such a great friend.
Our newest friend, Kennedi Limon, became our friend two years ago on a ski trip. She quickly became one of us, and is the most creative and clever person. She�s very artistic, and will often present me with little gifts here and there that she�s made herself. Thank you, Kennedi.
My friends are all strong, sensitive, compassionate, and great role models. With every struggle and triumph I�ve watched them grow stronger. It doesn�t matter that I haven�t known some as long as others, they have equally earned my trust and respect in every way. Thank you guys, and thank you to the class of 2003. It�s been a great four years.� Alyson beamed as she finished. The room erupted into applause, and Alyson blushed to the roots of her hair as Siobhan got up from her seat near Alyson�s and gave her a big hug.
Siobhan wiped tears from her eyes as she sat down after giving Alyson the biggest hug she could muster.
�Okay, Mads, it�s been four weeks, have you or have you not decided where you�re going?� Siobhan asked.
�I have. I�ve decided to go to La Crosse and study medicine.� Madison smiled.
�Ooh, that�ll be great for you.� Alyson smiled, too. She was going to St. Kates and her choice for now was education.
�I�m happy for you. Just always remember to call and email and instant message okay?� Siobhan asked.
�I promise. We won�t lose touch.� Madison crossed her heart.
Tara sighed, �I�m happy that I�m going with Kennedi and Siobhan to Edina State, but I�m really going to miss you two.� she said, softly.
�I�ll miss you, too.� Alyson echoed, and pulled Tara into a hug, �But as I said, we�ll always be friends.�
Madison smiled at the memory, as the names of students were starting to be called. She watched as Alyson and Siobhan�s row got up and lined up.
�Michael Aaron Abundsen.�
�Kathleen Jacqueline Agenbaum.�
�Alyson Piper Almond.� Alyson received her diploma amid her friends� cheers.
�Sarah Grace Ammel.�
�Timothy Joseph Aplieche.�
�Siobhan Alexis Arintero.� Siobhan grinned as her name was called, and she accepted her diploma amid cheers from her friends and family.
The students moved quickly and quietly, receiving their diplomas and moving their tassels from left to right, signifying their passage into adulthood.
�Aly?� Tara�s small voice asked during a March sleepover at Siobhan�s house. She�d snagged the opportunity to catch Alyson alone when the two had gone into the living room to set up the Harry Potter board game.
�Yeah, honey?� Alyson asked, and knew what her friends was going to say was serious.
�I-I didn�t want to worry the others, but...you�re my best friend, and...� Tara stammered.
�What is it, honey?� Alyson encouraged her.
�I�m scared!� Tara said, with a soft cry, and her eyes filled with tears.
�Of what?� Alyson asked, although she thought she knew what the matter was.
�College. Growing up, moving on. Being in a new school, without you. I�ve never been in a school without you before. A-And I�m not ready to grow up yet. I like being a teenager.� Tara sniffed back tears.
�Oh, honey.� Alyson pulled Tara in her arms and just held her for a moment before pulling away, �It�s perfectly normal to be scared. You�re definitely not the only one in our group who�s scared. I am, Kennedi is, and I imagine the other two are, also. But, honey, you�re going to be fine. Do you remember what you said just before we started high school four years ago?� she asked.
Tara shook her head, �No.�
�You told me you were scared of high school. You said you didn�t want to go, and you were afraid you�d fail. But look at you, you made it. You�re going to be just fine, and Kennedi and Siobhan will be there with you the whole way, and Madison and I will be cheering from the sidelines. I will always be here, maybe not in person, but here.� Alyson tapped her hand over Tara�s heart.
Tara smiled, her eyes full of tears, �You are my absolute best friend, you know that?� she asked.
�And you�re mine. You always have been mine. I love you.� Alyson said, staring into Tara�s clear blue eyes.
�Love you too.� Tara said, softly, and they hugged again.
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