The Last Word

By Hyunjoon Park | Posted: Monday July 1, 2024

I’m sure we’ve all experienced a downfall in our lives. Of course, for every one of us, that downfall will be different.

However, I am a firm believer that every event and interaction that happens in our lives shapes who we are, and I believe that although some events and interactions with others are negative, we should still be grateful for every one of them. 

I can already sense that some of you think I’m crazy, and I don’t blame you.

Going through a breakup, getting not achieved, or not getting ANY role in the Production definitely wasn’t my most positive time. Yet I’ve accepted these negative parts of my life and taken them as lessons, a learning curve, a chance to mature and grow.

I’ll give you a little life story of mine. I had the wonderful experience of going on a history and classics trip to Europe. My original intention of going was to attend the pizza making class and have fun with mates. Now I don’t take history or classics, however, I couldn’t help but get invested in the historical events of World War 1 that took place in France and Belgium. I mean, I was there so might as well, however, our tour guide was very good at making, at least me, emotional, constantly reminding us that the brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves at the Battle of the Somme, at Flanders, and at Passchendaele were no older than the boys I see in front of me here today. That history lesson reminded me that life can be unexpected, and to live the most out of it. It also made me care less, in a good way. I didn’t get a role in the Production, I’ll still give it my all. Got not achieved, I’ll ask where I went wrong and improve.

As our school motto “Recti Cultus Pectora Roborant” suggests, we have a 'Heart of Oak', and even though I’ve failed in numerous English tasks, I’ll get a bit poetic. Three-quarters of the time oak trees have their leaves, and although they lose all of them during the harsh cold winters, they still stand strong without knowing how long the winter will last. To put it in simpler, non-poetic terms, we all have downfalls, it's only natural and it's the only way to truly appreciate happiness. We must remember to still persevere and stand strong, with ourselves and with the help of others as the only place you can go once you’ve hit rock bottom, is up. 

This is my message to you, to the boys inside of this auditorium, and to the people beyond these walls, the people who were a part of my life, thank you. I’m very grateful because you are the ones who shaped me to who I am today. Even if our interaction wasn’t the best, you’ve helped me mature and reflect. Of course for the ones who I have had positive interactions with, I’ll firstly like to apologise for the many times you’ve had to deal with me, and I’ll also give you a reminder that you’ll always have my respect and my biggest thanks. I hope this has encouraged or even enlightened a small portion of you to be a little bit more grateful in life, to look at your downfalls in a brighter way and reflect upon them. It will be challenging to try and see negative things in a positive way, but once you’ve achieved this skill, you will feel how much lighter your shoulders will be.

Now as per OB’s tradition I’ll be ending my Last Word with a quote. “Never fear the storm, learn to dance in the rain” - Gordan Ramsey.