Antoine’s Birthday Speech

My name is Antoine. On Saturday, January 25 I will turn 14. Usually, every birthday my twin brother and I get to choose what we would like for dinner for the following Sunday.

I have learned a lot about applying for high schools and how to have proper interviews. I have also learned a lot more about how computers work, and what to do if they don’t work properly. If I could go back in time to about a year ago, I would tell myself to not hold back when it comes to showing how smart I am. I would also talk to myself about all of the things that would happen for the rest of 7th grade and 8th grade so far.

One challenge I have went through this year was focusing on one thing at a time and not getting easily distracted. However, I have since learned to be more calm. 

To me, being a part of the SMPA community means having a second family that helps me when I’m struggling. I would like to thank Dr. O’Leary, Mr. Gabbard and Mr. Harvey for helping me with applying for my future high schools that I really hope I get accepted to. I would like to thank Mr. Goddard for helping with computer stuff. I would like to thank Ms. Rodriguez for helping me with ELA and making my school days more happy than they already are. I would like to thank the class of 2028 because no other group of people have made me laugh more in my life than them, and I appreciate them for that.

My hopes for this year is to get a full scholarship and acceptance to Oxford Academy. My goal for this year, starting this following this weekend is to not be as distracting in class as I was last year.  At 25, I see myself getting a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and becoming either a hardware or software engineer. The message that I would like to share to my SMPA community is that no task is beneath you. Don’t put yourself above anyone or anything. Just work hard in silence and let success make the noise.