What Others Say About Khalsa Montessori School

Graduation 2004

 

Graduate Speaker

Bianca Navaira

Over my 11 years at Khalsa School, I've gone through so many things and I've gone to so many places that a regular child may not see or go through in their whole life.

I can remember my first day at Khalsa Primary.  I said bye to my mom and walked through the front gates of the school.  Then I remember meeting my first real true friend that I've had for the whole time I've been here.  I remember thinking that my life would stay like this forever.

I have memories with some very different teachers.  And I'd like to thank each one for those memories.  Pam Hogan, my first teacher ever.  One memory that I have was when you had to cut a banana into smaller pieces and you had to go around the class and ask people if they wanted a piece.  Well, instead of sharing with the class, I would eat the whole banana by myself.  Pam had a little talk with me and she taught me how to go around and give everyone a piece.  Pam, I thank you for teaching me how to be a sensitive person and for being the first person that started to build the person I am today.

My Lower Elementary teacher was Mrs. Susan Ritchey.  In first grade I was in the lowest reading group, and I told her that I wanted to be able to read like Janessa and Leah.  And she told me that if I wanted to read like them, then I had to practice.  And I did, I practiced with my mom and I practiced with my family.  And by second grade I was in the second to highest reading group.  So Susan, I thank you so much for giving me that advice and teaching me that I can't get better at something without practicing it, again thank you.

Jaswant Khalsa was my Upper Elementary teacher.  She disciplined me when I didn't listen and she brought out my ability to write poems.  A lot of poems and songs that I have written have been able to be expressed because of her, some of her former students might say that she was mean, but really she was giving you structure and discipline.  Jaswant, I thank you for making me a person that is a strong individual.

Karen Paxton, you showed me how to speak up for myself.  You taught me how to raise my hand and ask questions.  Without that I couldn't have learned as much as I have without you showing me that.  And that has made me into a different person.  Thank you very much.

And the two assistant teachers: Mrs. Keerat Giordano and Jessica Erwood.   Mrs. Keerat also taught me how to be structured and how to be stern.  Those lessons changed my life, thank you.  Finally, Jessica, she taught me how to have fun.  She also taught me that I do matter in life and I am a good person.  And that has taught me how to have higher self-esteem.  So Jessie, thank you so much for everything.

Thank you each and every one of you for everything that you have done for me.

And Mom, thank you for always being there and giving me what I needed along with what I wanted.  I am proud to say that I'm your daughter. Also I'd like to thank my family for always supporting me.

And thank you to my friends that have always been there through the happy times and the depressing times.  You know who you are, and I don't want to embarrass you, so thank you.  I will miss every one of you, and I will miss every teacher.  And I will miss you, Satwant Singh for letting, me experience all of this.  Thank you to each and every one of you.  Goodbye.