Brune tells Fatima graduates to use this year as motivation

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 6/24/20

Fatima business teacher Andrea Brune on Saturday told the class of 2020 to remember this year and use it as motivation to …

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Brune tells Fatima graduates to use this year as motivation

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Fatima business teacher Andrea Brune on Saturday told the class of 2020 to remember this year and use it as motivation to succeed.

“What a year this has been,” said Brune, a Meta native, who graduated from Fatima in 2008. 

She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in business education from Missouri State University, and began her teaching career at Linn High School.

After teaching FACS for three years, she returned to school and earned her master’s degree in teaching technology in 2016 from William Woods University.

Brune taught business courses at Linn for the next two years, and then returned to Fatima, where she has taught business for the last two years.

“I don’t know about you, but it’s like the fourth quarter went by without us, but also has never really ended,” she said. “What a crazy ride you have been on thus far in your life’s journey. You were born during a US disaster during 9/11 and now you are graduating during a global pandemic. You did it! This is the day you have been working for and dreaming about for at least the last four years. I feel like just a few short years ago, it was me and my friends sitting in those chairs. As I started to write this speech I thought back. What did I need to hear to help me through my journey when it was me in those chairs. What have I been through in my life that you too will go through?

“If this year has taught us anything, it has taught us about disappointments and challenges,” Brune continued. “This year alone has been full of them — from never really having an end to the school year to having to compete virtually for state and national contests to having to postpone prom, to cancelling spring sports, even to postponing graduation. But there is something we can all learn from it — challenges and disappointments are going to happen all through your life and we cannot let them define who we are — we have to make the best of them and learn from them. We need to be able to realize there is always a plan and things will always work out one way or another. Do not let those challenges and disappointments define you. Take something from them and make yourself better. Change can be a scary thing. We need to understand that change is necessary at times. If you are anything like me, you can be reluctant to change because it is full of the unknown.”

Brune asked graduates to look around at their classmates, family members, friends, faculty and staff. “Now, think about the other people who you want to be here, but are not,” she said. “These are the people that believe in you and who will be here for you when you are experiencing some of life’s challenges and disappointments, Be strong enough to stand alone, but smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it. When you need help ask; there will always be someone there to help you. As you look at your classmates, this could be the last time you see them in the same room. The friends you have today may not be the friends you have five years from now. Some friendships will come and go as you all start this next phase of your journey. Again change is scary, but part of life.”

Brune told graduates that this is the first day of their new journey. “Until this point, people have guided you, and held your hand, and told you what to do to help you make the right choices and decisions,” she said. “Starting today, you will have to make more decisions for yourself. You get to decide if you get out of bed and go to class; you get to decide if you show up on time to work. The people around you today will be here to help you if you need guidance. All you need to do is ask and they will be there for you. There will always be someone to root for you and cheer you on along the way and pick you up when you need it. As Zig Ziglar once said, ‘You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.’ As you start the next phase of your journey, whether it be going to work, or going to college, or even joining the military, everyone is happy and excited to see the things that you can and will accomplish. The world is full of unsure times right now and if it has taught us anything, it is to stand up for what you believe in. Never back down from something that is truly important to you. Today is the start of your greatness, and I cannot wait to see what greatness comes from the class of 2020.”

Brune told graduates that some their memories of time at Fatima will be good and some not so good, but they helped mold them into the individuals that they are now. 

“Some of you have been here since kindergarten and others have just joined the Fatima family this school year,” said Brune. “Either way, you are still and will always be a Comet. You all have such infectious personalities. Throughout these past two years I have had the opportunities to make some memories with you as well. They say the class of 2020 is the class with a vision, and boy did they have that right. You set your mind to something and go out and get it. We have state champions, club presidents, role models and so much more in this class. Keep following your dreams, making memories, and always strive to be someone’s role model.”

Brune congratulated graduates, and encouraged them to behave and stay out of trouble.

Superintendent Chuck Woody told graduates to remember who they are and where they came from, for they will always be Comets.

“This class holds a very special place for me because I have a graduate sitting here as well,” said Woody of his daughter, Kailey. “I’ve watched this class grow up, from the playing field to the classroom. This has been an incredibly successful group of young men and women, and everything came to a very sudden standstill this past spring. This class has been a part of the unexpected.”

Woody noted these graduates were born shortly before or after 9/11.

“This truly is a class of destiny,” Woody said. “My challenge to you as graduates: do not be forever known as the ‘Coronavirus Class,’ but rather, make a name for yourselves. Be the class that helps find a cure. Be the ones who unite this country. Follow your class number of 2020, and have the type of vision to help make our world a better place.”

Principal Sharyl Kelsch said her first year at Fatima was a challenge due to the pandemic, but noted graduates went above and beyond in the classroom, with nine valedictorians and two salutatorians.

“What a year it has been,” she said. “When I started the year, like many of you, I was excited about what was to come, and a bit unsure of what to expect. I want to thank you for welcoming me to Fatima High School. Your class will always hold a special place in my heart as my first graduating class here. I also want to thank you for your leadership. You have shown grace, determination and a lot of energy through your activities here. Even though your senior year ended abruptly, you showed your true character in the way you finished this year strong. I want to remind you that you didn’t get here alone. Many people helped you along the way. Before this day is over, take some time to find the people who helped you get here, and tell them how much you appreciate them for all that they did to help you. The world is an ever-changing place, especially now. You have many gifts and talents. When you walk out this door, you have your whole life ahead of you. Make good choices, have wonderful experiences, and live your life to the fullest. The world needs good, strong leaders in it, and I want to challenge you to be one of those people. Be the change you wish to see in this world.”