What Others Say About Khalsa Montessori School

Graduation 2008

 

Graduate Speaker

Hannah Behun

Hello, I am Hannah Behun. I attended Khalsa for 10 years… primary through 6th grade. My sister, Claire Behun, started Khalsa in the toddler school and continued on through the 6th grade as well. We both went on to Arizona School for the Arts, the school I just graduated from. Right now I am actually in Europe. I am so excited and honored to have been chosen to speak at your graduation, a school which I love so much. Instead of turning down this opportunity, due to my absence, I wrote a speech to be read.

I had many fabulous teachers including Pam Hogan, Jaswant, and Keerat just to name a few. You and I have so many great memories of Khalsa School: running around in the soccer field, planting, class pets, reading in the quiet corner, writing poetry, talking when we should have been working, playing tether ball, going on fieldtrips, art, playing with microscopes, holiday shows, Valentine parties, SRAs, math, biweeklies, and so much more. You graduating 6th graders have done this! You have completed all that, and have all rightfully earned your diplomas today.

Appreciate what you have had here. This is one type of education that you will never have anywhere else. (Trust me, I have looked.) I loved this fun, independent, and hands-on method of learning so much that I have decided to become a Montessori teacher for elementary level kids. I am going to attend Northern Arizona University this fall, get an Elementary Education degree, and then I will learn the Montessori Method.

I asked myself, what advice can I offer this up and coming junior high school class? Khalsa Montessori has done all in its power to help you and to provide you with the independence and tools to help you learn. The independence they provide has helped you to develop self-confidence.

I still remember the yoga, music, and Spanish classes. Here is some advice that I am sure all of your parents will agree with me on: continue your yoga and stretching because your limbs will all stiffen like you never thought possible.

Remember to always think for yourself. Be open-minded. Listen to others, but do not take their every word for the truth.

I want you all to look in the mirror. Simply, take a couple minutes and smile. Smile really big and then shyly, as you continue watching yourself. The simple act of smiling helps to make you happier, whether or not you actually are. When others see you happy, it makes them happy as well. When they smile back to be polite they too receive positive feelings and are happier. So, always remember to smile.

You leave this school searching for whom you want to be… finding a new identity: Do you want to introduce yourself by a nickname? If so, then by what name? Maybe you are thinking about what you will wear on the first day at your new school. You may be wondering what clique or group of friends you want to be with at your new school. You are taking the next big step. Your thoughts are on so many different topics, but do not lose your focus.

Your opportunities are great, your talents are vast, and your time is now. The best and easiest way to not detract from any of this is to simply think positively. An effortless means to the goal of positive thinking is to eliminate the words ‘bored’ and ‘hate’ from your vocabulary. ‘Bored’ is a word that should almost never be used. It has a negative feeling. This word automatically brings down the happiness and energy level of anyone who hears or says it. It is always your choice to find something to watch, learn from, or simply find something to do. We are all given life, and we truly can make a difference. Khalsa has helped to provide you with the tools, now go out and walk a new path; you are powerful and you can make a difference in the world.

Now please clap your hands for these Khalsa alumni. Onward graduates!