Standing here today feels kind of like a dream that I won’t remember in the morning.  A dream that felt so far out of reach for many years.  A dream that I felt was impossible, unachievable, and way beyond my skill level.  A dream that I was so out of touch with, I could never in a million years actually accomplish it. A dream that I was so close to missing due to my depression last year.  I never would have envisioned my graduation happening at a Residential Treatment Center, let alone at all, so I’m just grateful to be here.  Throughout high school, I have crawled skin and bone to get through my classes.  I have fallen behind many times in high school, mostly due to my poor life choices and depression.  But every single time, I’ve picked myself up and gotten myself back on track.  I want to thank my parents for pushing me every step of the way.  I want to thank my mom, especially, for going through actual hell to help me and register me for different schools.  I want to thank my brothers for making fun of me, which fueled my fire to do better.  I want to thank my grandparents for giving me good genes and for always being so supportive.  I also want to thank the Clearview teacher’s for moving ridiculously large mountains to help me finish high school.  Until very recently, I didn’t realize how much God is in my story.  He saved me from a close call with death last year.  He stood by my side and carried me through the darkest of times.  I recently decided with my entire heart, like never before, to dedicate my life to the Lord and solely to Him.  Of all the “thank you’s”, my thank to Him is the most high.  I’m hopeful for the future and grateful for the opportunity to start living instead of just existing.