The following is text, spelling and punctuation errors included, from the speech presented by Marge H., WRUS Class of 2009, during Commencement Exercises on May 26, 2009.  Marge requested the opportunity to address the audience.  She overcame her nerves and did a wonderful job.  Her speech moved the audience to tears.  The speech came as a complete surprise to Mrs. Aull.  Marge gave her copy of the speech to Mrs. Aull, who considers it one of her prized possessions and greatest gifts.

"When I was in (a different) school, I never thought that I would graduate due to the High school assessments.  My grandmother was friends with a former student at Wye River Upper School and she shared with us about the school.  My first day touring I was in total amazement.  The school was tiny and everyone was very welcoming.  I was so excited to know that there are other children that have problems similar to mine.

I knew finally I wasn't the only one that struggled and other students were just as frustrated as I was in school.  Even though I came in mid way my Jr year I got straight to work.  At first I thought this school was too good to be true.  As time went by my grades sky rocked (sic).  I never thought I was capable of getting good grades.  With the 5-1 student teacher ratio I started to learn faster and I wasn't as frustrated like I was with 32 other students in a class.  I finally became a senior and my grades were still doing well but, I had a project that I was unsure about, and did not have the confidence in my abilities to write. close (sic) to the end of the year I didn't have my paper done.  Mrs Aull the founder of WRUS sat down with me and helped me get it done.  Mrs aull (sic) guided me through the paper but didn't do it for me.  Working with her made me relize (sic) what I thought of her before wasn't right at all.  Sure we had our difficulties, but finally I accepted her help.  The more I listened to her the more i (sic) was able to see how much she had to offer.

This school was truly built With a Mothers Love.  The more I talked to her the more I saw that she didn't want me to fail.  She wanted me to see that I could handle this paper on my own.  With a little helping hand she took the time and showed me how to write a paper.

Shortly after I turned the paper in I had to present it orally.  I was horrified but having her sit there and tell me I could do it, not letting me get into my own head and that I could handle it, and not to let it beat me.  In all my years in school I never had a teacher sit down and help me let alone my principal. If it wasn't for Mrs Aull, I don't think I would bee (sic) graduating.  the selfless act of this mother, a boss and im (sic) proud to say my principal put children she didn't even know first.  She wanted to see children that have difficulties learning become strong individuals and have the knowlage (sic) to feel like they can survive in the real world.

With the help of mrs aull and all of the teachers here at wrus I don't think id of been able to walk today.  I know leaving this sage today I have knowlage (sic), and the confadence (sic) that I will be able to become a susccesful (sic) adult an be able to function and work like everyone else.  Mrs aull made me relize (sic) I wasn't dumb I just learned differently because "not all great minds think alike."