Lily Tomlin said, “I always wanted to be somebody, I
should have been more specific.”
When you all started engaging with GEAR UP in middle
school, I am sure that many of you did not imagine yourself here today.
Grabbing every opportunity that came your way, you used the GEAR UP program as
a launching pad for more than you dreamed was possible.
One of the most famous interview questions is “Where
would you like to be in five year?” My answer has always been, “Hopefully
someplace that I cannot imagine from here.”
Some of you want to be politicians, some educators,
some researchers, some accountants, and others still exploring options. I hope
this week gives you insight into not only your dream career but how you will be
a citizen of the world. Given all that you have been given, how should you then
live?
We certainly hope that you will be a committed
voice. As Jesus (Rodriguez) said, “As long as I have a pen, as long as I
have a voice, I will speak out for GEAR UP.”
We also hope that you will never let anything or
anyone take you off your path.
We also hope that you will dream bigger than you can
imagine now.It took courage to get this far. No one should
underestimate that or take that for granted. As one of the foster youth I used
to work with said,“I don’t think anyone ever understands what it has
cost me to overcome my challenges. While everyone is pushing for all of us to
go to college, some days you should just be glad that we are still alive.”
So, congratulations on getting this far. For some of
you it was an accomplishment to graduate from high school. For others, entering
college this fall still has real challenges. Some of you have struggled with
finances. Some of you have struggled academically. Some of your parents did not
know how to be supportive. Some of you have felt at times like you were out of
place at college. And yet you persisted.
Your courage to persist will inspire others
because courage is contagious.You have been courageous because you have never let
anyone define you but your own actions.
You have been courageous in public and sometimes you
have been courageous in the quiet moment of failure or loss when you say
tomorrow is another day.
I know for sure that the opportunities that life
sends you will either shrink or expand in proportion to your courage.
So if you always wanted to be somebody, I can tell
you that you are. I applaud the way you have taken DC by storm with your
testimony to Congress, White House officials, Department of Education
leadership, the NCCEP staff and one another.
Tonight we pin you as one of the inaugural class of
GUALA, a group of co-conspirators we hope will continue to impact each
other and GEAR UP for decades to come.
Wear these pins proudly. Know that courage brought
you here. Be determined that you will never settle for anything less than
decisions that lead to honorable outcomes. Then you will have true and lasting
success.
Nathan Monell
President & CEO
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships
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