Good afternoon my fellow Vineyarders and associated wash-a-shores. Thank you all for being here today.

Somehow, even after many years and failed attempts, we still don’t have a mascot. So unfortunately I can’t call you my fellow lions or tigers or bears. At least for now, Vineyarders will have to do.

Nonetheless, we are gathered here today to celebrate the class of 2024, a product of our adamantly unique Vineyard community. I’m extremely honored to be speaking in front of you all today as this year’s valedictorian.

Towards the end of my sophomore English class, Nate Story caught a glimpse of my grades on PowerSchool and blurted out, “Why don’t you start writing your valedictorian speech now?”

Well, here we are, two years later, and I didn’t start writing this speech until two days after the deadline (very sorry, Mrs. Warburton).

Today is a celebration of our many achievements and accomplishments. In thinking about the meaning of success, a quote from the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby comes to mind. Ricky Bobby’s catchphrase “If you ain’t first, you’re last” at first seems straightforward. However, as the story continues, this motto couldn’t be further from the truth.

Ricky Bobby’s father, who trademarked this phrase, eventually admits to his son that he was wrong. He clarifies that you can be second, third, fourth or even last, and still find success and fulfillment.

In this day and age, it’s so easy to measure our success based on everyone around us. The publicity of social media, grades and accolades often make us feel like we’re in a constant race. But real success isn’t always about being first; it’s about setting your own goals, striving to achieve them, and finding satisfaction in your progress.

Standing here as your valedictorian, I’m proud of this achievement. But I also recognize that this title does not define my future, nor does it diminish the incredible accomplishments of those around me.

I’m often told that I could do anything, go anywhere or be anyone. However, I can confidently say that this could not be farther from the truth. There is no way my clumsy body would hold up to being a plumber. My need for wide open spaces couldn’t handle the hustle and bustle of living in New York City. Despite the fact that I’ve been sailing dinghies for the past six years of my life (love you sailing team), I get seasick on bigger boats. So embarking on a maritime career is out of the question. And as I proudly admit, I don’t think I would be happy at an Ivy League school.

So to those of you who are pursuing these wonderful futures, I commend you for making choices that will fulfill you the most. It’s okay to take a step back, assess the situation that you are in and make

Before we move forward into the next chapter of our lives, I invite you to reflect on your past self. I know my freshman, sophomore, even junior year self, would, well, have quite a few questions for me now.

If you’re thinking back and wondering “Why did I decide to do that?” or “How was I so stupid?” These are just signs of personal growth. It means that you’ve taken risks, stepped out of your comfort.

More importantly though, it means you’ve matured because of your mistakes. It’s often through our missteps and mishaps that we learn the most profound lessons, even if it means saying, “I will never do that again.” As my sailing coaches often tell me: “Try something, even if it’s wrong”.

As many of my incredible mentors may know, allowing myself to make mistakes and use them as learning opportunities, rather than as a mode of self-deprecation, has been one of the hardest feats of my high school career. Finally actualizing the advice “Don’t be so hard on yourself” that so many have told me has been one of the most freeing and rewarding experiences yet.

Realize that life moves on, and you’re likely the only one that is going to remember your embarrassing moments after a considerable amount of time passes. Except for the time when my dear friend Maia Donnelly licked the frosting off the cake at my four-year-old birthday party. We will remember that for the rest of our lives. Even so, eventually someone else will do something way more memorable and mortifying than you.

I’d like to leave you all with a song lyric from Frankie Ballard: “How am I ever gonna get to be old and wise if I ain’t ever young and crazy?”

Thank you and congratulations to the class of 2024.

Lyla Solway is the 2024 class valedictorian for the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.