Hello and good afternoon

Hello and good afternoon, graduates, friends, family, and faculty, My name is Paige Le Voy, and if you ever saw me at an event, I probably had a camera in my hands taking pictures. You might also know me as the co-chief editor of the yearbook or from student council.

I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’ve been counting down the months—and days—since the beginning of the school year, which I’m sure many of you have been doing too. Well... maybe some of us more than others. I know my parents aren’t exactly ready for me to leave.

But today isn’t just the end of high school. It’s the beginning of new adventures, changes, and yes, new struggles. Some of us have our lives mapped out, and others of us don’t even know what we’re doing tomorrow. And that’s okay. No matter what path you’re on, there will be good days and bad days. But today I hope is a good day and it’s not about what’s next.

Today is about celebrating finishing our four years of high school together. CONGRATULATIONS on this amazing achievement.

Some of us have been in RVA a long time, and others might have just started this year. But no matter how long you’ve been here, I hope you’ve felt like part of this family. I know that when I first joined RVA as a freshman, I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to make friends, and I didn’t care about my grades. My parents may have even gotten a call from Mr. Heckel. But I can now proudly say I do not want to leave. And I hope that you all can say the same thing. There have been ups and downs, but I have so many fun memories from the last 4 years. Whether it was the constant “friendly” fighting between Mr. Sackmann and Mrs. Noto about whether math is better than English (English is better, obviously), or Spirit Week, or Mr. Kopp headbanging at prom. Whether it was turning Mr. Sackmann into “Mr. Breadman,” or turning our teachers into memes. Maybe it's just the connections we have with our teachers and the opportunities that RVA gave us that we might not have had. I know everyone here has at least one memory from high school that will stick with them for the rest of their life. Even the adults in the room have a high school story to tell. And I bet if you ask them about it, they will tell you about it.

Earlier, I mentioned that I did not want to be here when I started at RVA as a freshman. That was not the best time of my life. It was the middle of COVID. I felt like my world was falling apart. I was away from my friends, struggling with school and life; however, I joined RVA and pushed my way through it, started making friends, joined the yearbook, and realized that THIS school is like nothing else. I’d be on field trips, and people would ask what RVA was. I’d say, “RVA Rural Virtual Academy. But also… Relationships, Values, and Academics—in that order.” I’d say it proudly and people would ask, “Are you their spokesperson? Is this an ad?” And I’d laugh and say, “No. I just really love my school.” Even when my local district became a Consortium school and gave me opportunities like drama again, I bragged about the fun classes I was taking and how much I loved the RVA. Even though my diploma has both names on it, I’m an RVA student through and through.

So yes, we’re leaving this place. We may go our separate ways. Some of us may never cross paths again. But I know this: every one of you is going to do something amazing. And I know that's because our teachers, staff, and parents —these incredible people here to support us today— who have shaped who we are. They didn’t just teach us academics. They taught us about life, how to be good leaders, how to work hard, and possibly to remember sunscreen.

Because RVA stands for—say it with me—Relationships, Values, and Academics. In that order. No apologies.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the teachers and administration.

And again, congratulations to my fellow graduates and God bless. — Paige Le Voy, RVA Class of 2025 Paige Le Voy is from Mazomanie and joined RVA as a freshman in 2021. She was one of the student speakers at the May 23 graduation ceremony.