Valedictorian Speech 2025: Ella Grady
Hello and welcome all. Especially family and friends who have traveled far to be here today. I would like to start off by thanking the staff for making Wy’East possible and keeping us out of trouble. I would also like to thank my parents and family for making this possible for me, and supporting me every step of the way- thank you mom and dad, I love you guys.
Before I get into my sentimental mombo-jombo, I wanted to share a story that really shaped my time here at Wy’East.
I remember walking into B.O.B. for athletics so we could work on our performance packets before snowboarding. While we were all busy filling out our packets, Brando turned and started asking everyone if anyone’s never been upside down- meaning if anyone’s never flipped on their board. A few of us raised our hands, mine included.
“Well, you want to?” Brando asked me.
I looked around as everyone slowly nodded their heads before I sheepishly nodded as well.
The whole way up to Timberline, I listened to Rage Against the Machine and Korn, in some lame way to try and hype myself up to flip for the first time on snow. Once we got there, we slowly descended down the side of one of T-Lines parking lots to go build a jump. After what seemed like hours of packing and shoveling snow, the jump was ready. I watched as the first person hit it and my heart dropped to my stomach. I have never been so adrenaline filled and scared in my entire life.
I watched as one by one people drop in front of me, until it was finally my turn. In that moment I realized how Korn miserably failed to prepare me for this. I looked over at Brando who had been giving me advice for one final time. He gave me a cheesy smirk and a “you got this” before pulling out his phone to record.
I counted myself down from three before I took a shaky breath and pointed my board down the run in.
I flew off the jump into a poorly executed back flop. I’m not sure if it was the adrenaline or the soft powder that made it painless, but I didn’t want to sit around and find out. I quickly unstrapped my board and hiked back up to the drop in for a second try.
On my second go around, I dropped in with ten times the amount of confidence and actually looked like I wanted to flip. I ended up bringing the back flop around to a belly flop / scorpion. Which I am somewhat happy about. Because if you were to ask me to even attempt a backflip a few months ago, I would’ve laughed in your face and say, “Who the heck do you think I am?”
Even though I didn’t land, I came back from that day on hill with newfound sense of confidence. And as I stand here today I realize that I have found so much confidence since arrival day.
But I’m guessing its not just me that can say that, but every single one of my classmates here. Everyone here has improved and achieved so much since the first semester- even if that was just learning how to keep up with your own laundry- But for real though, it has been so wonderful seeing everyone trying things and going to places they have only dreamed of.
I’m sure you can say you all have gone a long way, especially for those who have been here for multiple years. And its been such a privilege to live, learn and grow with you all throughout our time here. I hope to continue to watch not only myself, but everyone here grow.
Right after this ceremony is over, and we all go back to our homes. I hope we all realize that Wy’East has lead an important role in molding us into the people we are today and into the people who we wish to become. Whether your next step is college or a ski-bum lifestyle- I hope we walk away with gratitude and a new sense of self. Because I sure will.
So, thank you everyone for making this dream possible for me. And I can’t wait to see how Wy’East continues to shape, and encourage the future generations.
Ella will be returning to Wy’East Mountain Academy next year for a gap year to continue her snowboarding progression. After that, she will attend Fort Lewis College to pursue bachelors degree.
