1. Valedictorian Speech – Olivia Paoluzzi-Brown
What is family? Such an obvious term that instantly sparks familiar faces in
mind. Flashbacks of you baking with your grandma at Christmas time.
Those Aunts and uncles who continually ask about the status of your love
life which sadly still remains single. Or maybe it's you're obnoxious older
brother who never fails to consume half of the kitchen fridge. Now I want
you to think about how many people in your family have made you smile,
made you laugh, or caught your tears when you were sad. How many
people helped you back on your feet when you were inches from falling,
who were there to guide you threw the dark and support you through every
accomplishment. Some of you may retain that image of your grandma in
the kitchen, the same pesky questions you get asked every family get
together, or that face you make when you realize there’s no food left. But
some of you won't. Maybe some of you haven't experienced or been
exposed to what I'm going on a tangent about. You see every once in a
while I'll talk to my mom about wishing I had a bigger family. 14 weeks ago
I would still be complaining to my mom and wondering what it would be like
if I did. Today 14 weeks later I stand with over 70 new brothers and
sisters.
I remember coming to the program on the first day. My mind was invaded
by all these negative thoughts. As I walked in I completely missed the line
to get our pictures taken because I was blinded by my nervousness. That
night I lay awake thinking about the first day. I doubted my ability to be
successful in the program and if I'd have the ability to bring anything
unique to our group. Then as I shut my eyes and took a breath I asked
myself why I even signed up in the first place. Now as I'm standing here
reading this I'm thinking whom would I be if I didn't.
I think we go through life being tested. Every time we feel like it's the end
and there's no more left in us something wonderful happens and reminds
us why we have kept going for so long. We can't always choose the people
or things that hurt and break us but we can decide what we do with that
hurt and how we're going to change it to make it positive. Every road we
take that has failed us and made us doubt our ability to see through the
end has brought us here. And, out of all the things in this life that don't
make sense, in every way possible this program does.
This isn't a job where we have to stand hours on end gazing at a deep
fryer. This is a unit of trust, love, compassion and hope. This is our safe
place our shelter and our support. Not once did I come to work doubtful
that I would be happy and be surround by people who cared about me.

2. People who made me smile and laugh, or who caught my tears when I was
sad. People who would help me back on my feet when I was inches away
from falling, who were there to guide me threw the dark time and support
me through every accomplishment.
This program has truly been a life changing experience. I've learnt so
much about my community and myself. I've learnt that a goat’s milk bath is
actually a thing, I've learnt it's possible to lick your elbow, and who I would
bring to space if there was a zombie apocalypse. But most of all I learnt
what the meaning of family is, because family can't always be a direct
definition. This sitting in front of me is a family and no definition can ever
deny that.
Now before I end, I would like to give a huge thanks to all of the amazing
people that worked hours upon hours planning and organizing this
amazing program, without you we wouldn't have had the opportunity to be
a part of something so much special. I would like to give a huge thanks to
all of the officers who came out and shared their wonderful knowledge and
stories, even though we can't share them, they'll always be in mind. I'd like
to thank TJ for taking so much time out of his day to interact and hangout
with us; needless to say everyone loves you. I would also like to thank
Sargent Clint Cole for his continual support with this intitiative and also for
giving up his time to be with us. I really appreciate everything you've done
for all of us and all the help you've given each person on a personal level if
need be. I would also like to give a big thanks to all of our presenters, each
of you provided valuable information we will remember for a lifetime. I
would like to thank my supervisors Mandy and Trevor for helping organize
all of our amazing days. Thank you to my team leaders for mentoring us
and putting up with us for 14 weeks. Last but certainly not least I would like
to thank Alex. Without him this whole initiative wouldn't be functional. He
has invested so much time and energy into each and every day and I can't
thank him enough. Oh, and I won't ever forget your generated email
responses they're kept dear to my heart.
Thank you everyone for coming out, you all have amazing kids, siblings,
girlfriends and boyfriends. Have a great night.