La Rochelle Yearbook 2024

STIGTERSDAG

Annemie Nieuwoudt

that I took up to that point in time. She opened the assembly as follow: Please complete the following statement for me – practice makes…permanent. The perfect ideal does not exist. Everything that formed part of my story up to that point, was only Grace, I had nothing to do with it. My story was written long before I even sat foot in La Rochelle. You are who you are, for a reason, you have certain likes and dislikes, for a reason. La Rochelle provides structure, which is one of the best building blocks of a solid foundation to start shaping your identity. You are taught values that will help you to stand head and shoulders above any other individual and you are taught to live in harmony with all individuals, in Love, Acceptance and Respect – for yourself as well. You were never made to be perfect, but you were made to be authentic. So, to answer my question, was it worth it? Definitely. The reality is, I have no idea what my time was for the 800m at ANY 4M. But I remember our revolutionary Vics presentation in our geography glass. I remember how Mrs Steyn (my Afrikaans teacher from grade 8 – 12) read and taught us poetry and I remember how we had to, not only had to read Romeo and

Juliet in Mr Rats’ class (our English teacher in grade 9) but we had to perform it, soul and authenticity. It is never about the highlights, it is about building and maintaining relationships and it is about the memories made. Please understand this: all the things I mentioned (the times, marks and the being on time for class) it important in YOUR season NOW. But remember to analyse your motive and maintain your perspective. This is only high school and the rest of your life still lies before you. I am ending with one of my favourite poems quoted in the Dead Poets Society, a poem by Walt Witman: “Oh Me! Oh Life! Of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, of myself forever reproaching myself (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) The question – What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer: That you are here – that life exists and identity, that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. Larries – what will your verse be? That is your legacy. Annemie Nieuwoudt Head Girl – 2014

Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle | Girls’ High School | 145