At the Student Council Election Forum for the 2018-19 school year, Wendy Samayoa passed the torch to new student leaders and said her farewells in a moving and powerful speech which we share here, with her permission.
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| Wendy Samayoa giving her farewell speech at the Fall 2018 Student Council Candidate Forum Alt Text: Wendy dressed in black at microphone with Director Tim listening behind her. |
Farewells seem to always have a bittersweet flavor with feelings that are intertwined, although their nature is different. I feel sadness, satisfaction
and also, a certain relief to be able totransfer the responsibilities of the position because it’s time for new
leaders. But, above all, the feeling that gains the most strength is, without a doubt, gratitude.Today culminates an important period in my life, a period in which it was
a privilege and an honor to preside over this Student Council. It was a year
of commitment and, in turn, a year of projects, opportunities and challenges,
of hard work,meetings, struggles for the improvement of student services,
community work and professional and human growth. I must admit that it
was not easy to carry out this task, but it was worth the effort and, in exchange,
we obtained achievements and agreements for the benefit of all of us. As
President of the 2017-2018 Student Council of the San Mateo Adult School,
I want to thank you for your support and all the work you do every day so
that adult education in San Mateo is getting better and better.Thanks to the administration, especially to Director Tim Doyle for
welcoming us, for listening to our complaints and supporting our activities.
Thanks to Stephanie Kriebel, our teacher adviser, for the trust and responsibility
placed in us, for her never-ending support. Thank you to all the teachers and
staff members who in different ways always give their support. Thanks to those
who with their work and enthusiasm accompanied me in this adventure,
because they have believed in us and always supported us. Also, I would like
to acknowledge Vice President Jackie Lhereux and Secretary Williams Avelino,
who were key leaders in the work done and who accompanied me in the quest
for better student services. I would also like to thank the representatives of
each classroom, for the work they did and for always showing up to
participation our activities.For me it is very humbling to be in front of you today;
Being president of this school taught me something important: believe in
myself and believe in what we can achieve together. This "faith" in us has
materialized over the course of a year, work that I have done with selflessness,
honesty and team effort.During my time at this school, one of the areas that
most interested me was being able to collaborate in various activities. The
possibility of going with my colleagues to different experiences allowed me
to know the difficult realities in which we live day by day and also to understand
that adult education is the only transforming force that can make a difference in
many families. Beyond solidarity, we need adult education to be the driving
and also, a certain relief to be able totransfer the responsibilities of the position because it’s time for new
leaders. But, above all, the feeling that gains the most strength is, without a doubt, gratitude.Today culminates an important period in my life, a period in which it was
a privilege and an honor to preside over this Student Council. It was a year
of commitment and, in turn, a year of projects, opportunities and challenges,
of hard work,meetings, struggles for the improvement of student services,
community work and professional and human growth. I must admit that it
was not easy to carry out this task, but it was worth the effort and, in exchange,
we obtained achievements and agreements for the benefit of all of us. As
President of the 2017-2018 Student Council of the San Mateo Adult School,
I want to thank you for your support and all the work you do every day so
that adult education in San Mateo is getting better and better.Thanks to the administration, especially to Director Tim Doyle for
welcoming us, for listening to our complaints and supporting our activities.
Thanks to Stephanie Kriebel, our teacher adviser, for the trust and responsibility
placed in us, for her never-ending support. Thank you to all the teachers and
staff members who in different ways always give their support. Thanks to those
who with their work and enthusiasm accompanied me in this adventure,
because they have believed in us and always supported us. Also, I would like
to acknowledge Vice President Jackie Lhereux and Secretary Williams Avelino,
who were key leaders in the work done and who accompanied me in the quest
for better student services. I would also like to thank the representatives of
each classroom, for the work they did and for always showing up to
participation our activities.For me it is very humbling to be in front of you today;
Being president of this school taught me something important: believe in
myself and believe in what we can achieve together. This "faith" in us has
materialized over the course of a year, work that I have done with selflessness,
honesty and team effort.During my time at this school, one of the areas that
most interested me was being able to collaborate in various activities. The
possibility of going with my colleagues to different experiences allowed me
to know the difficult realities in which we live day by day and also to understand
that adult education is the only transforming force that can make a difference in
many families. Beyond solidarity, we need adult education to be the driving
force of a country, so that we all advance alone and achieve the merits,
not thanks to the charity of a few, but to our own work.
not thanks to the charity of a few, but to our own work.
We are not numbers nor are we the results of a test; We are people who
want to change the world and for that we need tools that are not only
learned in classes, but with experiences that allow us to get out of the
bubble in which we live and open our eyes so that we can see the
reality of this country that today, more than ever, needs our
critical look as a starting point for real structural changes in the country.
want to change the world and for that we need tools that are not only
learned in classes, but with experiences that allow us to get out of the
bubble in which we live and open our eyes so that we can see the
reality of this country that today, more than ever, needs our
critical look as a starting point for real structural changes in the country.
I am talking with you as a student and partner committed to generating a
positiveimpact in our school. Today, this country needs young people and
adults who strive not only to be better, but to offer their efforts for all and
do it selflessly, and we are the ones who have the tools to transform this
country.
positiveimpact in our school. Today, this country needs young people and
adults who strive not only to be better, but to offer their efforts for all and
do it selflessly, and we are the ones who have the tools to transform this
country.
To you, the candidates. I wish you much encouragement and strength in
this new stage, and no advice because I know that you are committed to
yourselves and this school, and have the vision, qualities and experience
to carry on this journey. Know that you can count on my support at any time.
this new stage, and no advice because I know that you are committed to
yourselves and this school, and have the vision, qualities and experience
to carry on this journey. Know that you can count on my support at any time.
It has been a pleasure for me to represent all of you and to be able to work
so that our
vision is always within reach. I thank you all for the support and I hope that my work
has been to your liking and that you will carry on this mission. The sky is not the limit!
so that our
vision is always within reach. I thank you all for the support and I hope that my work
has been to your liking and that you will carry on this mission. The sky is not the limit!
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| A Team of Leaders Director Tim Doyle, Candidates Claudia, Shereen, Shelly, Student Council Advisor Stephanie, San Mateo Mayor Rick Bonilla, Former Leaders Wendy, Jackie, and Williams |
After her speech, Student Council Adviser Stephanie presented Wendy with a special award from OTAN. This award is given to two Adult Education students each year, chosen from students across the state of California. Congratulations, Wendy!
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| Student Council Adviser Stephanie Kriebel presenting Wendy with special award from OTAN. |
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| Student Council Adviser Stephanie and Wendy holding special award from OTAN |
