William Cowper once said, "Variety's the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour." And I believe the most essential part of human life is to change. Everyone is seeking for some important person in her life, but when the time comes, she is going to have a difficult choice since there are so many people who have made a difference in her life. I cannot pick a specific person. So now, I would like to thank every single person who has ever made changes in my life -- especially my friends.

The first friends I want to thank are my guaranteed friends for life. I am grateful to my parents. They are changing me little by little every single day. They are both outgoing and kind. Everything they do is an inspiration for me, and their personalities changed me from a shy and selfish girl into who I presently am now. Also, they totally changed me from a girl who was playing around everyday into a reading person due to their daily phrase, "You need to read!" They are miracles in my life.

Through all my friends, no matter where we met each other, China or the states, I am changed. Friends who are more experienced and more mature have changed me into a person who must speak frankly and logically AFTER I actually think about if I really need to speak. They changed me into someone who would do more rather than speak more. The friends from the United States teach me that I need to smile to whoever I many run into in the hallway, and to express my feelings instead of covering then up. Friends from Mexico make me know that I am still a kid; I can still put off my schedule so that I can have fun. Friends from Korea tell me, "Jessie Sun! You need to clean your room from time to time!"

People say that friends are as precious as treasures, so are the changes all my friends have made on me. I believe I will keep these changes forever, and I am really honored that these people have made up my life.

Graduation speech by Jessie Sun, 2008 Class officer