farewell. Farewell to the stress and the endless weekly assignments and exams. Farewell to board reviews, to spending more money than you have and to brutal exams administered by the likes of Drs. Bourdeinyi and Plotkina. Let’s say farewell to so many of the hard things that we experienced in our time here, but not to the good things. Let’s not say farewell to nailing your first new patient adjustment, to the first time you see a patient improving under your care, or to learning a new technique that resonates with you, and to all the connections that we were able to form here. Those things will continue on and always be there with us in practice. So, with that, I say farewell and good luck, Doctors. I, for one, cannot wait to finally get started. Jane Louise Allen, CGUS Valedictorian, Summer 2023 When I was a senior in high school, I came to Life on a recruiting trip for wrestling. While on this trip, my coaches Ashley and Christian Flavin shared with me the great emphasis they place on academics in their program. This standard is very familiar to me, as I was brought up by my Mama and Granny who put the same emphasis on academics. When I arrived at Life University as a freshman, I was soon acquainted with just how serious my coaches were about maintaining good grades. Long story short, I’m only in front of you today because I’ve been afraid of getting in trouble for lowering my team’s GPA for the entirety of my academic career here at Life. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned here at Life University is one that my coaches repetitively taught. No one cares about your adversity; they only care how you overcome it. My time as a student at Life has taught me a lot about overcoming adversity. I’ve encountered my fair share of obstacles leading up to this point. One of my biggest obstacles is also my biggest accomplishment and blessing. My nine-month- old son Jett has completely taken over my world in the past year. Being a mother to a nine-month-old while also being a student-athlete has led me to endure many late nights and early mornings and accidentally deleted discussion posts. The challenges that I have faced in the past year inspired me to give my best effort to overcome my adversity with the support of my Mama, Granny and the rest of my family. Reflecting on my experience here as a student at Life, there will always be obstacles to overcome. Being able to be here today is a large milestone in overcoming adversity for each and every one of us. As we all go our separate ways, I hope that this accomplishment is a motivation for all of us to go and accomplish more. Congratulations to you all, and best of luck in your future endeavors. Go, Running Eagles! Carlos Alberto Mota- Annexy, COC Valedictorian, Summer 2023 We come from diverse backgrounds, carrying stories as unique as our fingerprints. Some of us left the comfort of our homes and the familiarity of our cultures, venturing into the unknown, facing new languages, new norms and new dreams. We’ve known the bittersweet taste of sacrifice, the letting go of the familiar to grasp the promise of the extraordinary. Our journey, though sometimes daunting, it brought us to this very moment. We’ve pushed ourselves beyond our limits, conquering obstacles that once seemed unsurmountable. The late-night study sessions, the language barriers we shattered, the homesickness we overcame — each experience was a thread in the tapestry of our growth. We dared to believe in ourselves when doubt whispered in our ears. We kept going even when the path seemed uncertain, and here we are, a testament to our strength and resilience. As we move forward, let us carry the torch of our accomplishment to illuminate the path for others. Let us extend a hand to those who may be struggling, offering them encouragement and the support we once received. The sacrifices we’ve made and the challenges we’ve faced have not only shaped us, but have also equipped us with the empathy and strength needed to uplift others. Believe in yourselves, my fellow graduates. The journey we’ve undertaken has proven that we can achieve greatness. Congratulations, Class of 2023! Our journey has just begun, and I have every confidence that each and one of us will continue to shine brightly and make the world a better place. Gabrielle Monique Glatt Jane Louise Allen Carlos Alberto Mota- Annexy, 9 Alumni.life.edu | 2023