Embrace the Unexpected
Cailin Lyons, Vice President of the Class of 2020 ~ Veterinary Assistant
Thank you Mr. Milanovich --
Mr. Rich, Members of the Joint Operating Committee, Distinguished Guests, Teachers, Friends and Family, and Members of the Graduating Class of 2020 ~
My sophomore year I didn't know what my life was going to be like at LCCTC; I came to the school feeling defeated and needing a fresh start. I started off in the Restaurant Trades program. Though I realized that wasn't the career for me, I still learned so many worthwhile skills because of Ms. Price. I then switched to Veterinary Assistant, and even when I would often return home covered in dog hair and drool, I knew that job would never be a “job” -- it would be my life. I'm beyond grateful for every speck of knowledge I've gained.
Never in my three years at LCCTC did I think it would end like this -- wearing masks and searching for anywhere to buy hand sanitizer and staying six feet apart to socially distance myself from the many friends I’ve been blessed to have made. This just goes to show that the class of 2020 is unlike any other. We have been forced to become strong -- and resilient -- and patient beyond measure. We aspire to be different -- and bold -- and unique, setting ourselves apart from every other graduating class because...well that's just boring.
In the fall, I will attend California University to major in Veterinary Technology so that I may one day teach in a vocational school just like this. This has become my dream because of my very own Veterinary Assistant teacher, Mrs. Yanak. For two years I've watched her do such amazing things -- always putting her students first so that we learned all that we need to know. Oh my gosh -- did we argue and make fun of each other at first, but she volun-TOLD me to take part in so many activities outside of my comfort zone. I admit that I fought her on every single one, but I am forever grateful for her never giving up on me. If she never would have pushed me, I wouldn't be who I am today. One of the most important lessons I learned from her was to get over myself and accept that I am capable of doing so much more than what I ever dreamed possible. So many of us can say the same of all of our instructors here at LCCTC!
College is going to be challenging, and I wish I could bring my teachers with me; they were able to unlock educational doors that I never thought could be opened; they found unique techniques that finally helped me connect with my learning. Unfortunately, I can't bring them with me, but I hope they all know how much they have helped me throughout the years, and I hope they know that I’ll take the lessons they taught me wherever I go Teachers always say that they are the grateful ones, but I think they've got it all wrong; I'm so lucky to have had them to guide me through this whole experience.
And to my “substitute teachers” for the last three months, my parents: Thank you for taking all of those first day of school pictures, for packing little notes in my lunch box on Rice Krispie Treats, for signing a million field trip permission forms, for encouraging me when I wanted to come to LCCTC, for being in my corner for all of the crazy activities I wanted to do -- and for being the best parents ever!
To the Class of 2021: Take in every aspect of this school while you still have it. One thing I've learned throughout these past few months is to never take anything for granted and never expect anything in life. I know that as the “new leaders” of the school, you will BE amazing and DO AMAZING THINGS.
To the Class of 2020: It may have been a rough ending to the school year, but we did it, and if anyone should get recognized, it should be us. We have been through so much, but we conquered every obstacle -- together, and that's what counts.
I encourage you to embrace the unexpected and leave you with this piece of advice, “Be too positive to be doubtful. Be too optimistic to be fearful, and be too determined to be defeated.”
Thank you.
After continuing her studies at California University to become a Veterinary Technician, Cailin would like to branch into education and become a teacher. When she’s not working on service projects or competing in FFA and SkillsUSA, Cailin truly enjoys spending time with friends and drinking coffee. Lots of coffee.
To enjoy Cailin’s virtual speech, please click HERE.