My Senior Speech: 'Awaking the Dream'

Hello, everybody. I am privileged to speak in front of this crowd today. I want to use this opportunity to engage our generation and to speak for our generation.

I have heard it said that “The dreams of the younger generation determine the future of this world.” These words embody truth. Sadly, we are experiencing a decade of decline in the dreams of the younger generation, our generation.

Many of us remember Rostam Zafari’s ('14) powerful senior speech last year. Rostam explained, and I quote, “We are never too young to make a change in this world, and we shall not feel powerless implementing our dreams.” But my question rests with, how many of us today still have the aspiration to change this world?

Think with me. Why do we attend school? To get a better education? Then why do we need a better education? Is our aim simply to find a well-paying job, get married, have children, educate them, and then retire? Many of us may claim this cycle is normal. However, I would argue there's more to life. If none of us are willing to make a difference, how can this world progress?

Along with the growth of the living standard, many of us have grown too comfortable in the world surrounding us. How many of us read news for pleasure and know what’s going on around the world? How many of us care about world issues and are willing to take action? We feel secure and stop seeking change. But there are many undesirable issues facing our generation, such as environmental change, the threat of terrorism, and a lack of basic living security for many people.

A lot of us may not notice, but many challenges exist around us, each moment of every day. I grew up in a big city living a comfortable life; but getting to know my great-aunt pried open my world and illuminated those people -- like my great-aunt -- who endured a life of poverty. My family first visited my great-aunt in our hometown when I was twelve, traveling over rocky and muddy terrain just to get to her dwarfish-sized home. I remember staring at her and beholding her emaciated and ill body. When I first came up to her bed, regardless of her being sick, she insisted that I accept her gift of two hundred Yuan (equivalent to $32), a very small amount to many of us here today, but 1/15 of her yearly income, as our traditional Chinese greeting.

When my family left her and traveled on those pot-holed roads, I kept thinking about how I should spend this money, this small sum that represented such significant sacrifice on her behalf. And then I remembered that on our way to see her, not a single hospital existed in her area. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if this money could build a medical center?”

Two years later, my great-aunt died from acute liver failure. Her passing reminded me about the value of the idea I had as a naive but good-hearted child. If there had been a local medical center to treat my great-aunt, her generosity -- her noble trademark -- might still be doing some good. I wish my family had acted sooner. Feeling compassion was not enough. I needed to step out of my circle and taken action, to give like my great-aunt had given to me.

So I asked my parents if there was anything we could do to avoid this kind of medical tragedy in the future. My concern motivated my parents to organize their business partners to form a non-profit medical service organization. Today, these resources benefit the residents in my great-aunt’s neighborhood. If my great-aunt were still roaming her streets today, I believe she would smile knowing those around her can live healthier lives.

Reflecting on my parents’ cooperation with others helped realize this dream born from a 12-year-old girl. I see real change occur only if we assemble our small dreams with the dreams and talents of others. Without my parents’ help, my hope for building a medical center would have been beyond my reach. Making a difference in each of our communities matters.

Here at our school, Darlington’s Community Service Program provides us this kind of opportunity. Personally speaking, I go to the Boys & Girls Club almost every week. The children arrive from different backgrounds, yet they all aspire to be loved. They share their happiness and even their struggle with me. I try to guide them to make good decisions in life. This sharing has, I hope, bettered them, for I know our interacting has bettered me.

I will never forget how these kids remembered my birthday, hugging me and telling me happy birthday over and over again; and I will always remember when that little girl nervously handed me the picture she drew of me as her way of expressing her appreciation. These children’s smiles encourage me to continue on my path. Through these experiences, I have learned nothing makes me more joyous than making a positive impact on others, responding to the needs around me, and expressing my passion -- just like my great-aunt’s -- through the power of giving whatever we have to share, no matter how little.

Reaching out of our comfort zone to those in need is not easy to do. It is human nature to fear the new. There are many challenges we face, and it takes great courage to be the first to act. But this obstacle should not stop us. Les Brown, the famed motivational speaker, tells us “Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.” I say, “Not all our dreams will come true, but without dreaming, nothing will come true.”

So, do we have the power to fulfill our dreams at our age? We absolutely do, especially with the support from our roots -- in my case, the words of my parents, the impact of my great-aunt, and more importantly Darlington’s cultivation of its students. As members of this school, we can make difference in our community.

The Walk of Honor at Light the Lake slows our busy life and permits us to remember our loved ones who died from cancer and/or to celebrate those who have survived. The remaining donations after Light the Lake support the Cancer Navigators organization, and at this very second, may enable some patients in Rome to receive much-needed support, whether in understanding their treatment options, emotional support, or even transportation to treatments. Four years ago, Darlington students and families voted in huge numbers for McHenry Primary School to win the Pepsi Refresh Contest, and with the money in rewarded, they now have a special-needs playground. The food we pack at Rome Actions Ministries Food Bank will be placed on certain families’ dinner table tonight. The time we spend with kids at Boys & Girls Club could make their best time of the day. There are so many more examples of goodness. Now, do you see the power in us?

We were created uniquely; we were meant to leave our own unique mark on this land. I challenge us to ask ourselves, “What’s the value of our existence?” I believe our greatest value is to give a hand -- whether that be time, resources, or, two hundred Yuan like my great-aunt. No matter how difficult the road may be and no matter how much effort it may take, we should never let our dream of making a difference fade.

Remember Rostam’s speech? “We are never too young to make a change in this world. And we shall not feel powerless implementing our dreams.” So I encourage us to take our first step today. See you at the library steps!

Thank you!