Jeanine Abadie refused to be defined by tragedy

High school graduation can be an emotional time. For Jeanine Abadie, her graduation May 30 from South Walton High School marked not only the transition from school to whatever comes next, but also the culmination of a recovery process that started in 2005. Abadie used the occasion to recognize and commemorate the teachers and students who helped her turn an overwhelming loss to a lesson in living.

In Abadie's own words:

"Over one hundred students evacuated to South Walton High School and I am the only one still here. Yes, it was hard to see them excited to go back to their friends and homes, but tonight I will admit that I was the lucky one. I wouldn't change anything in my life and I am honored to stand up here with Seahawk pride and call this home.

Over the course of these four years I went from the kid who never spoke to the one who never stopped talking. I couldn't bring myself to be involved the way I was in Louisiana at first, but now I am proud to say I have been president of South Walton High School's Key Club for two years, a member of National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, the volleyball team and basketball cheerleading squad.

Also, by taking as many Advanced Placement courses as my schedule would allow I have had some of the most admirable teachers of my life, those of course being Dr. Mixson, Mrs. Graff and Mrs. Wickman. They have been there for me through it all, including dramatic calculator malfunctions during the Advanced Placement Calculus exam.

 I have made some of the greatest friends who have kept me going daily with many laughs and unforgettable memories. South Walton helped me rebuild my life in every way and I will forever be thankful for the perfect school that Hurricane Katrina gave me the chance to experience.

We all face struggles and we all feel pain, but never let them define you; let them strengthen you. Keep your heart open and give change a chance. Never give up on this life because all pain heals, the sun will rise tomorrow and it will be up to you to make the most out of your days. It took me way too long to appreciate what I had in front of me and that was each of you.

My mom is my very best friend and words can never explain how much she has helped me through as well. I love you to the moon, Mom.

And to Meghan Burkhart Smith, her friends and family, and everyone affected by that night: you may never see how many people love you and would give anything to take back the pain you feel, but we are all here and we have many hugs to share as well.

Life's tragedies leave us with many questions, usually beginning with why. And I can't tell you why any of us face the struggles that we do, but if we didn't have bad days we wouldn't recognize and appreciate the good ones. Life keeps going whether we are ready for it or not and as hard as things seem, don't dwell on them because you might be missing out on something better.

Fellow graduates, I leave you with these bits of advice:  laugh daily, smile often, and cherish this moment because the only one who can make today better than yesterday is you. Express how you feel right now. Show love. Show appreciation and when setting your future goals, shoot for the moon because even if you miss you will land among the stars.

So to all of you who carried me during what I can only hope to have been my greatest struggle in life, I love you, I thank you, and I will never forget you."