Please help me edit/ improve/ end my 8th grade graduation speech!?

Our 3 years here at (middle school name) has been a memorable experience but today our time in middle school comes to an end. Our journey to become who we are today has been long, and at times, strenuous but we made it through with hard work and determination to achieve. Throughout the years we have matured and grown both physically and mentally. It is amazing, just 9 years ago we were kindergartners playing with wooden blocks and taking naps in class but we have gone a far way to become the proud culminating 8th graders we are today. Of course, we were not alone. Our parents and teachers have influenced and encouraged us to do our best in school and are guiding us to the path of success. They have pushed us forward because they know we can succeed and that our boundaries are far from small. We should thank them for all they have done for us and for giving us the gift of knowledge and knowledge is priceless. We should also thank (principal's name) for being an incredible principal, lets give them all a round of applause------------------- Our journey is far from over and today a new chapter of our lives is beginning, a chapter which like the rest we will write. Today we are given the responsibility of transferring from children to young adults which means going to a new place, high school. Deep down some of us might be hesitant or a bit sad to leave this comfortable environment where all our friends are and all I want to say is good luck because we all will probably need it.