School is a place to learn, grow, and challenge ourselves!

Saint John’s Prep launched the 2025-26 school year on August 20 with our annual opening convocation ceremony. As president of Student Council, Vivian Fitch ’26 gave an encouraging speech to students, faculty, staff, and parents in the Saint John’s Abbey Church.

Good morning, everyone. Thank you Dr. Glomski, Mr. McGee, Abbot Douglas, Saint John’s Prep faculty, staff, and students, and all other friends and family that have joined us here today. Welcome to the first day of the 2025-2026 academic school year.
I am beyond grateful and thrilled to be speaking to you all today. These next nine months will undoubtedly be filled with laughter, memories, and immense self-growth.

As I look out into this crowd now, every single person I see is incredibly capable, determined, and ready to take on this new chapter in their lives. However, I know how nerve-racking and scary it can be to begin a new school year— despite what grade you may be entering. I have the same nerves I do right now as I did at the beginning of my Prep journey five years ago. And as I look back on that thirteen-year-old version of myself, there are so many things I want to say to her—most of which my present self, and perhaps others in this room, need to hear as well, so I will be doing that by sharing some quotes.

A great philosopher once said, “Everything you lose is a step you take.” This strikes a special part of my heart because in the rigorous academic environment that is Prep, it is completely inevitable that you will fail at some point during your time here. Whether it is forgetting to read last night’s assignment and failing a pop quiz, answering a question incorrectly despite such eager confidence, or completely bombing a physics test you tried your hardest at— it’s all part of the experience. There can often be a lot of pressure that we as students face and, due to that, mistakes and failure may feel like the end of the world. However, it is in those moments of failure, stress, and anxiety that teach us the lessons necessary for our growth. It is through failing that we discover how to improve ourselves, what works best for us, and where our true intentions and priorities lie. That is why we must allow ourselves the grace and the space to make mistakes so that if failure approaches us, which it inevitably will, we make sure to embrace it and grow.

Another quote that really inspires me is by a very wise businesswoman. She shares, “There is no easy way out. There is no shortcut home. There’s only hard work, patience, and persistence.” We are all so incredibly lucky to be attending Saint John’s Prep, and I firmly believe that education is the strongest tool that one can have. So, I encourage all of you here to ask those extra questions this year, push yourself to take hard classes, and challenge and expand your mind daily. While it will get difficult, know that that is how you grow intellectually. As that quote shared, it is truly through hard work, patience, and persistence that will lead us all to great success.

Additionally, I also think it’s important to practice balance. A poet one said, “Hold on to the memories and they will hold onto you.” This holds importance because when it comes to school, of course a huge part of it is academic. School is a place to learn, grow, and challenge ourselves intellectually.

However, another aspect that is just as important is the social life. What is sixth grade without making lifelong memories at Osprey Wilds with your friends? What is middle school without the chaotic fails during winter on the sledding hill? What is high school without homecoming bonfires and countless crazy moments in the fishbowl filled with laughter? It is important to find balance at Prep between academics and friendships, because it is the two together that encapsulate the enjoyment of school. So, I hope all of you can practice balance this school year by making long, lasting friendships and memories everywhere you go.

Now, I know I’ve given some pretty broad pieces of advice so far, but there is one last thing I want to share with you today. I want to remind and assure all of you that at the end of the day, nothing is quite that serious. Things will change, people will evolve, and everything will be okay. Know that no one is staring at you as much as you think, no one remembers that embarrassing moment that keeps you up at night as vividly as you do and know that no one is perceiving you nearly as harshly as you may perceive yourself. As once said by a person who inspires me daily, that philosopher, businesswoman, and poet I mentioned earlier, Ms. Taylor Swift, “Just shake it off.”

Thank you all so much for listening and being here today. Be sure to go into this new academic year with an open mind, kind heart, and strong ambition, and I wish you all an amazing 2025-2026 school year!

Thank you!

Vivian is a senior at Saint John’s Prep and the daughter of Kelly and Scott Fitch of Cold Spring, MN.