Bella Vista a school of inspiration; a place that provides the key to succeed. I came to Bella Vista like most of us, from public school. I remember thinking it would be horrible to be in a school so small. I knew why my parents wanted me to go there, but I was afraid that I would be missing out on something the other kids had. I was like a horse, I had been led to the water, but I was sure not going to drink.
What I found after school started was something more than just a school with a cool view, what I found was a family of sorts. I found that Bella Vista is a school filled with teachers that strive to find the promise in each and every student. I was fortunate to have found such dedicated, first-rate teachers; Teachers that care about our future. Our success is really a reflection of your success, for you have given us the freedom to dare, the courage to excel and the belief that we can achieve our best.
The Bella Vista curriculum has provided me with the opportunity to try classes that at other schools they don’t even have. They gave me the chance to try new things to expand my knowledge base, to broaden my horizons, far beyond what another school would have done. These were classes that dared me to think, and try new things. I was also challenged take the lead in a school play and write a business plan, and sell products as part of economics. When it was all said and done, I realized how much I had enjoyed these opportunities, and how much I had really learned, simply because the school dared to try different things, and I dared to try new things as well. I know now when I move on next year to Middlesex that I will not be afraid to try new classes even if they have funny names. I won’t be timid about jumping in with both feet and joining the cheese club, or forming my own dodge ball club, and I owe this in part to the chances I have been given here.
Bella Vista challenged me with many projects that seemed impossible at first glance, even if the students thought that, the teachers knew that by challenging us and pushing us we would surmount our insecurities and rise to the challenge. The teachers always believed we could and would accomplish each and every task they set before us. They gave us the courage to excel, to achieve, to overcome. This courage will assist us through years to come, even when a future college professor hands us a seemingly insurmountable task we will have the courage to tackle it and achieve because of the high standards we have come to expect from ourselves. Learning that everything requires this sort of work effort will be invaluable for each of us in years to come. At Bella Vista our potential was seen and nurtured and pulled out of each one of us. Bella Vista’s standards are very high, and with good reason. Each of us held to that high standard will have a foundation to build on. Our educational futures will be based on high standards that we have begun to expect from ourselves as well. That courage will lead us through the challenges each of us will face, and that standard will set the bar high.
Knowing that you will always strive to achieve your best is a gift that Bella Vista has given each of us. Holding us accountable, holding us to adversity are all gifts we will come to hold dear. This is truly “the way a school should be”. Bella Vista, beautiful view, certainly this school has given each of us a view of a beautiful future and all we have to do is go out there and take it. Perhaps we should change the name to beautiful vision, since each of us has been shown what our true potential is, and what we can achieve if we try hard, think courageously, and always strive for excellence.
I would like to extend a final farewell to my classmates and teachers who have provided me with friendship, camaraderie, and education. There is a Chinese proverb, that sums up my stay at Bella Vista, “When you drink the water, remember the spring” a spring that I had the chance to drink from in the middle of the desert, a spring on a hill with a beautiful view, a spring that will continue to fill the minds of all the students that come after we have gone. I am glad that I was led to this spring and I am even happier that I chose to drink from it. I will always remember this small spring on a hill in the desert, and they will be good memories.
Goodbye, good luck and good memories.
