that they matter

that they belong

so don't be afraid

you hear me, young people don't be afraid

be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful.

Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education

With a lot of hard work and a good education

anything is possible

And when you

encounter obstacles because I guarantee

you you will, and many of you already have

When you are struggling and you

start thinking about giving up, I want

you to remember the power of hope

The belief that something better is

always possible if you're willing to work

for it and fight for it. Our hope that if we

work hard enough and believe in

ourselves, then we can be whatever we

dream

regardless of the limitations that

others may place on us.

The hope that when

people see us for who we truly are

maybe just maybe, they too will be

inspired to rise to their best possible selves

You need to prepare yourself to be

informed, and that means getting the best

education possible, so you can think

critically

so you can express yourself clearly

so you can get a good job and support

yourself and your family. So you can be a

positive force in your communities

You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage

instead it's important for you to

understand that your experience facing

and overcoming adversity is actually

one of your biggest advantages

And I know that because I've seen it myself

In that role I encountered students who had

every advantage. Their parents paid their

full tuition they lived in beautiful

campus dorms they had every material

possession a college kid could want cars,

computers, spending money.

But when some of them got their first bad grade they

just fell apart. They lost it

Because they were ill-equipped to handle their

first encounter with disappointment

or falling short

life will put many obstacles in your

path that are far worse than a bad grade

You'll have unreasonable bosses

difficult clients and patients you'll

experience illnesses and losses crises

and setbacks that will come out of

nowhere and knock you off your feet

but unlike so many other young people

you have already developed the

resilience and the maturity that you

need to pick yourself up and dust

yourself off and keep moving through the pain!