The title of Valedictorian is granted to the graduating student who has the highest aggregate mark total. This total includes marks from the student’s top 30 courses, including marks from the 18 required courses.

For the class of 2007 the title of Valedictorian was awarded to sisters Carolyn Dowling (left) and Michelle Dowling (right). (Pictured here with Alumni President Mr. Dan Marshall.

 Below is the speech they gave at the graduation ceremony in June 2007.

Valediction 2007

by Michelle Dowling and Carolyn Dowling

"Good evening graduates, parents, teachers, guests, and alumni. This evening we honour our many accomplishments, and more importantly, the conclusion to another chapter in our lives.
Mr. DeFazio asked me to stand here tonight as a representative of this class. The question is how you can possibly represent such a diverse group of individuals? We have our artists and our rebels, our brains and our comedians, our activists and our writers, our athletes and our mathletes, our actors and actresses, and our detentionees. We have all taken very different paths to this night – none exactly like another. From this crossroads, we will continue on these distinct paths, possibly intertwining with one another along the way, but never following the same course exactly.

As we sit here, several of us may look around and hardly recognize some of our classmates. Our superficial labels, our dreams, and our class schedules have divided us. Yet, tonight, we celebrate our similarities and embrace these differences. We have, together, endured difficult tests and stifling assemblies. We have all worn uncomfortable wool pants and lackluster shoes. We have suffered embarrassing blows and tremendous triumphs. We are, together, the graduating class of 2007. No matter where we travel to or what we become, this will always be a part of our identity. Whether you hated high school or loved it, it is finally over. Each one of us has successfully completed another episode in our lives. This is our commonality. This is where we begin.

Life is a series of choices. We learn from the good ones and the not so good ones. Your parents, and, maybe, you made the choice to come to Notre Dame with it rich history of Catholic education, sports, and community involvement. Then, it was up to you to make the choice to be involved in school life through clubs and sports. It was also up to you to make the choice to become involved in the greater community by following the Catholic values instilled in us illustrated through food drives, the Walk Against Violence, and the Pilgrimage. It was ultimately your choice to study and do your homework in order to reach this very stage.

As the doors of high school close behind you, remember the people that have supported you thus far. Foremost, remember our parents, teachers, administration, friends, and coaches who have guided us. These individuals have diligently watched us evolve from naïve youths into confident young adults, and will remain by our sides as we confront the challenges ahead. In true Irish spirit, we can prevail against all odds with the supportive team and foundation of faith before us.

Now, as daunting as it seems, it is up to you to make the choices for your future. As we begin this next exciting chapter, recall the valuable lessons you have learned at Notre Dame as a wide-eyed student maneuvering the over-crowded hallways as you make the choices that arise as a mature adult. Whether you continue your education, enter the world of work, start a family, travel, vote, or help those less fortunate, remember that these are YOUR choices. Each one of us must live with our choices, so choose well.

Although a number of the individuals that have walked before us have most certainly quoted a famous poet, author, or philosopher, our graduating class is not quite like the graduating classes before us nor the ones that are sure to follow, as we are determined to carve out our own path. Instead, in the authentic words of Dr. Seuss, “We have brains in our head. /We have feet in our shoes. /We can steer ourselves any direction we choose. /We’re on our own. /And we know what we know. /Any WE are the ones who’ll decide where we go.”

With that, we give you Notre Dame’s graduating class of 2007!"