Phong Quach’s speech at Trinity-Pawling: a special thanks to Andrea Mennillo

1. Phong Quach’s speech
Valedictory Address
Trinity-Pawling School
2013

2. Chairwoman AlIen, Trustees, Headmaster Smith, Faculty, Parents, T-P Students and felIowmembers
of the Class of 2013. Good Afternoon.
Today is the day of celebration for the 89 seniors making up the magnificent class of 2013. It also is
the day of transition from Juniors to Seniors, the Class of 2014. Today is a special day for all of us,
for you and for me.
Three years ago, I arrived at Trinity Pawling as a socialIy awkward and nonathletic boy.
To be honest, no way in my wildest dreams did that boy envision himself three years later addressing
my felIow classmates as their valedictorian.
Needless to say, I am honored and humbled.
I wish to use this golden opportunity to offer two challenges to my classmates, both of which stem
from our beautiful Scully Hall, a building that our class ushered in four years ago when our class was
born. Starring down at us for four years are the wise words from Luke, "To Whom Much Is Given,
Much will be Expected." Let's focus on that saying for a minute. "To Whom Much is given, Much
will be Expected. "
I think like a scientist. Therefore, in a micro sense, I believe this is a responsibility you and I (and by
"you" I specifically mean the members of the Class of 2013), we have to make sure Trinity-Pawling
receives our support after we move away from Pawling. We are and always will be tied to this place,
and we have an obligation to give back. I find it wonderfully ironic that Mr. Scully-like me-was a T-
P student here on scholarship with limited means. When Mr. Scully left Pawling, he made a
successful career in business, and following the Luke proverb, he gave back.
I now come to our first challenge. If you have the means now or, like myself, when you use your T-P
education to find success, I challenge you to remember Trinity-Pawling. Remember how someone
like Mr. Scully remembered us and impacted all of our Iives. One of us or perhaps all of us, will
follow Luke and Mr. Scully's example.
My second challenge is more in a macro sense-there I go again ... science, science, science. We all
have an obligation to help society be a better pIace. We are fortunate because of what T-P gave us.
Our time at T-P has brought together many different people from many different places. How many
high schools give their students a global glimpse of the world? My group of friends, for instance,
includes people from the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia and, even Africa ...
and, sorry, Ken, I am not really sure how to categorize Turkey!
What an amazing advantage we enjoy over our high school peers from other culturalIy sheltered
schools -we already have started building a global network-all thanks to Trinity-Pawling.

3. Returning to the Luke quotation, I challenge all of us when we go back home whether it be me to Ho
Chi Minh City, Javy to Madrid, Jordan to Seoul, Phillipos to Addis Abbada, Alessandro to London
or Paris (or wherever he says he's from today), Frank to Shanghai, Wyatt to San Francisco, Tom to
Chicago, SulIy to Boston, Matt to New York City or Casey to Pawling to share the story about T- P.
Tell our friends and neighbors about this beautiful school and encourage others to take advantage of
what we have enjoyed. Help Mr. Robinson, encourage others to enroll at T-P and share the
experience we shared. OUR CULTURAL DIFFERENCES MAKE US STRONGER.
To the underclassmen, I also have a challenge for all of you. I am not trying to be didactic, but take
this as advice from this older brother.
Next fall each of you is making a difficult transition as you either start the college process as a new
senior or just move up a grade. You are all eager for your graduation day, for the day you can leave
T-P and do big things in college and real life. However, for the time being, appreciate the things
around you and appreciate that. You are here because of others, whether it be your parents,
grandparents,
relatives or benefactors; enjoy the time you have left, because it will be over sooner than you think.
Your desire to be successful, to manifest your talents which are understandable and admirable. You
have, however, a short window to find success and enjoy T-P.
Embrace it. Cherish it. Appreciate it. Respect it: Your teachers, your classmates, everyone, everything
in and on this campus. Because when it is your graduation, your days at T-P end.
As a matter of personal privilege, I have enjoyed getting to know the Boomers as my surrogate family.
Mr. and Mrs. Boomer gave me a place to stay on vacations and always made me feel welcome. I
want to thank the faculty. You took in this nerdy 10th grader and produced a nerdy graduate!
Lastly, I want to wholeheartedly thank Mr and Mrs Andrea Mennillo, parents of Francesco '12, who,
with their Mennillo endowment, funded my scholarship here at T-P and made come true this amazing
adventure.
Trustees, Mr. Smith and Faculty, Thank you for making this joumey possible. We leave Pawling
today in body but will always be here in spirit.
GOD BLESS TRINITY-PAWLING.