La Rochelle Yearbook 2022

Boodskap van die onder-hoofmeisie

us of our humiliations and failures when we cannot sleep and makes us regret our decisions only when it is too late to change them. Do not waste time, like I did. Time is what we want most, but use worst. Study hard, because yes, that is why we are all here, but do

I had to work with the best Head Girl and partner I could have asked for. Jeanne, I have learnt a lot from you and I cherish our friendship. You have the kindest heart. I know that you will answer whenever I call, unless you are taking your daily nap, but I know that you will always return

not forget to have fun and enjoy your teenage years. That is what you will remember when you are old and grey, not what your Maths test marks were. Take part in everything that you can and make the most of your youth. Five years are equivalent to 1826 days. I can proudly say that I am not the same person I was in 2018 when I walked into this school with a yellow tutu that served as a troll hat on my head. But, for all the positive points on this journey, it was the dark and negative times that lead to my growth. It is the uncomfortable, embarrassing, and difficult situations that allow you to grow and become an independent thinker. Do not fear such times, for they will come. Rather embrace the opportunities that allow you to better yourself. For if you never make any mistakes, how will you ever learn? Grade 11s, do not believe anyone who says Grade 11 is more difficult than Matric. There is this big expectation for your final year of high school. You are supposed to make it the greatest socialising year of your life, but then your NSC marks also need to be good enough to ensure your photograph appears in the newspaper. The key is BALANCE. FOMO is not your greatest challenge in Matric, but rather having self-control and knowing when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’. Matric teaches you what it means to be under pressure, but more importantly, how to handle it. At La Rochelle, we are lucky enough to have brilliant teachers to help us do so. Mr Neethling, thanks to you, I have gone from hating reading to appreciating a good book and actually enjoying poetry. And, Sir, do not tell anyone, but I secretly found all your dad jokes funny. Mrs Burger, because of you I was able to turn Blommie into a Biology student and give her lots of interesting ‘ Did you know ’ facts. Mr Swart, it was in your class that I realised Calculus was not some made-up concept American high school movies had on the chalkboards in the background, but an actual topic in Maths. Oom Pieter and Oom Jacques, your readiness to help and Tannie Mieta, all of our gossip sessions on the benches outside will never be forgotten. Mrs Conradie, thank you for making your first year here and our last an unforgettable experience. The school shines more brightly because of your presence. Mrs Naude and Mrs Neethling, thank you for all your guidance to the Prefects in these past two years. I promise the Student Council did more than just sit on the couches in the Prefect Room all day. However, what I am most grateful for, is the opportunity

my call. Blommie – could there be a better name for the Head Girl of the Blommetjie school? – you and Jessica will lead the school to greatness. Good luck on your journey as head leaders. Daises of 2022, Matrics of 2026. I once too sat where you are sitting today, listening to the head leaders give their speeches and wondering what it must feel like to stand up here. I will not spoil it for you. Just know that your dreams and goals are never as far away as they seem. I look at you and I see so much potential. Make a name for yourselves at this school. I hope to sit in this crowd in five years’ time listening to your Valedictory speeches and all that you achieved. To my fellow Sotte of 2018: being your classmate for the last five years has been the greatest honour. Never have I met a group of more talented individuals – from athletic stars to national hockey and netball players, to international dancers and academic geniuses. The school will miss us dearly, but nothing lasts forever and all good things must come to an end. Once you have read the poems, Tien Haikoes and Funeral Blues , more times than you can count, and you feel like Pi sitting in that lifeboat, contemplating reality and your matric jersey has been washed so many times that it has stretched itself two sizes larger, that is when you know it is time to end this chapter and to start a new one. But this is not the end of our story, we still have 5-year, 10-year and even 60-year reunions to attend and I hope see every single one of you there! I cannot end this speech without thanking the people who are the reason for my being here today. To my parents: without you, I do not know where I would be. Thank you for everything you have done to help and guide me, yet also for allowing me to become an independent person. You have given me the education I need and the ability to be great. I hope to use it to make a difference one day and become a woman and a daughter whom you can be proud of. La Rochelle, I cannot believe there was a time when I did not want to be here. You have made me feel loved, accepted, and respected. In the end, that is what we all really want. I wish that for each one of you girls sitting here today. I hope that you can find that here and bloom into the most beautiful versions of yourselves. Thank you for letting me add my name to your history books. I could not have asked for a better high school experience. En Avant , La Rochelle! Mi l a n Ho r n (De p u t y He a d G i r l )

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