WESLEY CHAPEL – Pierre-Etienne Boisvert encountered a pair of challenges that could have derailed his education. Instead, they became brief mentions in his salutatorian speech June 4 at Wesley Chapel High School.
Boisvert shared with fellow graduates how he moved from Canada to Florida with very little knowledge of English when he was 10 years old. He overcame the language barrier in about a year thanks to Google Translate and Duolingo.
During the COVID-19 pandemic. Boisvert thrived in virtual learning, earning A’s for a whole year. This motivated him to try to get all A’s throughout high school, bringing the honor of salutatorian within reach.
Boisvert encouraged classmates to reach their goals.
“In the future, let’s move forward towards our dreams no matter what,” he said. “Through sheer perseverance and overcoming any obstacle in our way, we will be able to become something greater.”
The Class of 2025 is off to a great start, earning more than $4 million in scholarships, according to Principal Matt McDermott. Among the graduates, McDermott said, 259 graduated with honors, 23 received AP Capstone diplomas, 20 earned associate degrees and nine are enlisting in the Armed Forces.
“I have no doubt in my classmates’ abilities to carry through with their goals because I’ve seen the devotion that brought them here today to walk across this stage with pride in more than just their academic and athletic accomplishments,” Valedictorian Sean Donahue said in a humor-infused speech. “I do, however, doubt their ability to park in between the lines.”
McDermott also recognized the 18 student-athletes that signed scholarships to compete at the collegiate level.
The Class of 2025 won conference, district and regional titles in various sports, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, golf, tennis, track, volleyball and weightlifting.
Then there was the Wildcat band that won superior ratings in several state assessments.
Speaking of music, McDermott channeled a verse from Canadian singer-songwriter Josh Ross: “Life is short and time is swift, do what you love and love what you do.”
“These words hold a profound truth,” McDermott told students. “They remind us that our journey through life is fleeting. And it is essential to pursue your passions and find joy in your endeavors.”
McDermott reminded graduates how they showed resilience, creativity and a commitment to excellence as they faced challenges. He encouraged them to carry those qualities with them into the next chapter of their lives.
