Our Work

Photo credit: Cathedral High School

In June, CSF Senior Scholar Desiree Jean-Pierre proudly graduated as a member of Cathedral High School’s Class of 2025. During the commencement ceremony, Desiree took the stage to deliver a heartfelt and inspiring speech reflecting on her journey, the memories she made, and the people who supported her along the way.

With honesty and grace, Desiree shared stories from her time at Cathedral ranging from classroom laughs to field trips and senior retreats while also opening up about her personal challenges with confidence and public speaking. Her message resonated with all in attendance, especially when she offered this powerful reminder to her peers:

“Be kind. Especially when you feel lost in the world.”

Desiree’s courage, compassion, and authenticity shine through in everything she does. This fall, she will attend Boston University, where she plans to continue her academic journey and make her mark on the world.

At CSF, we couldn’t be prouder of Desiree and all our exceptional senior scholars. We’re excited to see all that they will accomplish in this next chapter and beyond.

Desiree Jean-Pierre's Full Speech:

Good morning to all distinguished guests, teachers, faculty, fellow graduating peers and their
parents/guardians. My name is Desiree Jean-Pierre and it is my honor to be here today to deliver
this speech. To be honest I had no idea what to write this speech about. I didn’t want it to be
boringly long or extremely short.

I knew I wanted to give thanks to the teachers and the parents and guardians for guiding us
through the years and putting in their best effort into giving us all the tools we would need to
succeed. I knew I wanted to thank my dad for supporting me from the moment I was born,
always working early in the morning to late at night to provide for his family, and my mom and
grandparents who I hope are here in spirit for loving me with all their heart as well as all the
other adults who have helped me learn and grow to become the person I am today.

I knew I also wanted to bring up past memories; from watching the 2022 World Cup during AP
World History and Mr. Heshion’s backflip to the chicken incident of 2023 and Mr. Huseman’s
fake monotone, and to the recent opportunity to go on a 3-day French class field trip to Canada
last May and an overnight senior retreat.

But other than that, I had no clue what to speak to you all about. I had spent a number of nights
trying to find something to present to you all but hardly anything came to mind. I didn’t believe
that I would be able to write this speech let alone be able to say it aloud. I have always had issues
and insecurities when it comes to my own confidence, communication, and especially public
speaking. Even so, I was able to get up to this microphone today to congratulate this graduating
class and provide a few pieces of wisdom which is this: always be loving, caring, compassionate,
and kind. Be kind. Especially when you feel lost in the world.

I wanted to end this speech with one of my favorite quotes which is from the 1989
coming-of-age film Dead Poets Society, where Robin Williams’s character lectures his class
about the importance of human passions: “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We
read and write poetry because we are members of the human race and the human race is filled
with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering. These are noble pursuits necessary to sustain
life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” Remember your
passions, your interests, and your hobbies no matter what life throws at you and which direction
you choose to go.

These next years as adults will be nerve-wracking, exciting, and of course challenging but I am
glad I got to experience these four with all of you and make so many memories that I will cherish
for the rest of my life. Congratulations to my fellow classmates, it’s been a pleasure knowing you
all, and I wish you the best of luck during your next chapters of life. Remember that at the end of
the day its night and thank you.