Olivia’s Culmination Speech

Hi, my name is Olivia Konell. This is my 6th year at Mar Vista Elementary. Like other kids, I am a different person leaving Mar Vista than I was when I started here in kindergarten. Unlike other kids, I had more challenges because of having autism. Everything to me seemed harder. Most kids in kindergarten know lots of words, but I didn’t. It was harder for me to communicate with people to ask them to play. It was hard to keep up with other kids. I had a hard time knowing what I wanted to say or how to say it. I didn’t always know what people were talking about. Changes throughout the day were hard. Things were frustrating. A lot of things didn’t make sense.

Things are a lot different now for me than they were in kindergarten. I mean, I have the same body, but I am a different person. Not everything is as hard. More things make sense. I have caught up on my vocabulary and I can communicate better. Thanks to many people and many lessons, I have more tools in my toolbox. Some of the most important lessons I learned were from my behaviorist, Elke. I found some old notes from 3rd grade and read that Elke talked to me several times about the word “special.” It was during this time that I must have been saying to Elke that things were hard at school. I mentioned wanting to go to a school where all the children were like me, autistic. I figured it would be “easier” if I went to a “special” school. Elke told me that everybody is special at school. She also talked with me and my friend, Natali, about how we are similar and different. We are all special because no one is exactly like us, yet we also share similarities. There is only one Olivia. There is only one Natali. There is only one Elke. So we are all special. Mar Vista is special. And she was right.

So many things about Mar Vista are special. In kindergarten, I met my best friend Natali, and my best friend Opal in 1st grade. I had great teachers with great memories. Some of my favorites are the “Invention Convention” with Ms. Lopez in 3rd grade, and baking with Ms. Treves in 4th grade. I also remember my favorite saying Ms. Palman said, “Are you peaking through my ears and reading my mind?” and calling us “smart cookies” in 1st grade. I remember making “Cat in the Hat” outfits during Dr. Seuss week with Mrs. Kurashima and Mrs. Compere in kindergarten, and this year in 5th grade Mrs. McFerren letting us wear slippers in class and drinking hot chocolate on rainy days. There were great field trips, singing in chorus, Spirit Series, and so many more good times. I will take all the good memories along with me and file them under “Mar Vista Memories”.

I want to thank all my teachers Mrs. Kurashima and Mrs. Compere in kindergarten, Ms. Palman in 1st grade, Mrs. Kennerly in 2nd grade, Ms. Lopez in 3rd grade, Ms. Treves in 4th grade, and Mrs. McFerren in 5th grade. I also want to thank Mr. Roth, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Mesuro, and Mrs. B, or as my parents call all these people, “Team Olivia”.

In 4th grade, I learned a new word. When Elke was leaving and no longer going to be with me in the classroom anymore, my mom asked me how I felt. I said I’m sad that Elke would not be in my classroom and I would no longer see her every day, but that I am also happy because that makes me feel grown up. Then my mom told me that’s what the word “bittersweet” means. That is what I am feeling right now leaving Mar Vista…bittersweet. The reason I am feeling bittersweet about culminating today is because I’m sad to leave Mar Vista, my teachers, my friends, and my sister, Lila, but I am also happy to move onto my next journey. Thank you Mar Vista, and I wish all the best to my classmates.