Mariah B.
Another thing AMES has taught me, there is always more to learn, and you can always do better. I always figured I would reach a maximum point, and that would be the point where I stopped learning. One of the greatest things about the teachers here is they never pretend to know everything; it is a reminder that you never stop learning. I have learned it is okay to ask for help, and I am not expected to know everything. Once I was able to surrender some of my pride I felt smarter, because now I was able to learn more.
Full Speech

Paul C.
This graduating class has potential, but if we’re not there to wear Hawaiian shirts to faculty meetings, and wear camo to prom, to read between the lines, and fight for your right to party, to stand before a line of tanks, to stick a flower in the rifle… if we’re not there, to think globally, to act locally, to believe freely and believe vocally, the status quo will run society straight into the concrete that will be poured over Nine Mile Canyon. If there’s one thing I’ve learned at AMES, it is this: Put ever so eloquently, in the words of a bumper sticker, ”Subvert the Dominant Paradigm.”
Full Speech

Ika F.
I’m not like most of my fellow graduates sitting up here today. I did not begin my journey at AMES, but at two different schools that mean nothing to me now. Why is it that I say this? Because, the experiences I’ve had at AMES are completely different compared to my old schools. AMES isn’t just any other school, with overcrowded classrooms, teachers acting grumpy or segregated cliques; but is filled with unbelievably patient, kind, loving teachers, and a diverse student body with open minds. It was in the eleventh grade when I first attended AMES that I realized: this was where I was born to be, a home away from home. It was here where I found myself, and the potential I had within myself.
Full Speech

Laura L.
Fellow AMES students, every minute, every second is precious in our lives. Like Mr. Ramsey would say, “Don’t sit around and wait until someone tells you what to do.” We are not the followers of today or of the future. Rather we are the leaders of today and leaders of tomorrow. Fellow students, remember when I say, ‘Don’t wait until tomorrow to make a difference, you can make a difference today—right now.’ I hope by saying this I make a difference in your lives.
Full Speech

Sean M.
There is a common saying that, “it takes a village to raise a child,” and in the case of AMES, we are a part of that village.  The other members of this village include many other friends and family.   After enough time, the fruit will be ready to be picked.  Depending on how much work has been put in will determine how sweet the berries will be.  You can't expect to create an orchard by admiring the fruits of others; you must cultivate your fields on your own. 
Full Speech

Sarah N.
During my 4 years here at AMES, I have learned how to work hard. The teachers at AMES have all been such great support, especially Mrs. Vickers, Mr. Strang, and Dr. Church. There are no other teachers like AMES teachers. I’m so grateful to have come here. This school helped shape me in a positive way. I can tell you that I am not just a princess anymore. I have been challenged, I have learned through my experiences and I have traded my crown in for a lab coat.
Full Speech

Elizabeth P.
My dearest friends and fellow seniors, think of this day, how excited you are to be graduating, how happy we all are that we have made it through high school.  Remember these feelings so that on the challenging days that await us all we can bolster our frame of mind and enjoy all that we do, even if it’s taking out the trash.  We must enjoy the sunshiny days, so that when the stormy days come rumbling in we’ll have a tan to remember what we have had.
Full Speech

Samuel R.
Whether we become engineers, doctors, lawyers, teachers or chemists, our journey to fulfill our destinies will always be filled with memories, and life lessons learned from AMES. As society takes a hold of us and changes us we need to remember that we will always have something to unite us. We will always be known to the world as the AMES graduating class of 2009.
Full Speech

Sharoon S

There are two types of models in this world: there are supermodels, and then there are the average looking individuals who teach at AMES… we call them role models; and for the four years, and especially my senior year, that I have been an “AMESian,” these models have taught me the significance of hard work and the importance of meeting deadlines.
Full Speech