Brookline Essay Contest

Contest Winner

Brookline Essay Contest

2014

Essay to be posted

8th Grade Graduation Speech

Delivered at the Runkle School

Brookline, MA

I, Rahul Kolluri, have been at  John. D.Runkle for 8 years of my childhood. Throughout that span, I have been given countless opportunities for achievement by both my teachers and peers. Some of these opportunities, I squandered and let slide through my fingers like little grains of sand. But there were always a few of those keys to excellence that I pounced on, seized, and used to take full advantage of the Runkle experience.

Indeed, Runkle creates an environment that has been shaped by teachers and student alike. I may never again witness a community that is so inclusive as this school, a place where students have an unbelievably diverse and varied range of interests, that one is guaranteed to find friends that appreciate who you are, and share your own passion for the interests and hobbies that you love.

Now, I will assure you that Runkle does not simply cater to one’s social life. Its academic standards and constant pursuit of excellence is what keeps this school producing brilliant minds, thinkers, and learners year in and year out.

I will be the first to admit that there have been times when I failed to reach the heights I was capable of.  Disorganization, with a sprinkling of laziness derailed many of my efforts to attain academic excellence. That being said, I have not encountered a group of teachers so perfectly equipped to whip me and my cluttered brethren back into shape as the ones in this school. Using a complex and effective array of skills to bring their students into the realm of organization, they stopped at nothing to ensure the success of all they teach. From daily homework checks, to study skills classes, to merely confronting students on the matter, I witnessed the administration of Runkle show that it loves those it nurtures, and will do everything it can to maintain the success of their students in both learning and developing their academic abilities.

Lastly, the thing I hold dearest to my heart about Runkle is how I have matured as a person throughout all my wonderful years here. Looking back, 8 years does not sound like an extraordinary length of time. Some might even say that if I’m getting sentimental about such a short span, I might have a rude awakening coming in my high school years. I will most certainly disagree with those naysayers.

I entered this school a drooling, boney excuse for a 7 year old, my unstrapped velcro laces flopping about side-to-side. I will leave with my head held high, a dignified, motivated, and admittedly well-spoken young individual whose future has never looked brighter. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, the tales I’ve heard, the victories and the failures, these are the roots of the stories that will linger on my mind for years to come.

Perhaps in my distant years, the memories of the glorious days I spent here will dim, and I will be unable to recollect my time at Runkle with such clarity. However, that time has not arrived.

I will forever state that it was an honor to learn as a Runkle student, and I would truly have it no other way. That is the impact that this school has left on my childhood, and the mark it will leave on me all my life.