By Allison Stein
Below is the speech I delivered at my high school graduation ceremony this spring. I hope my words inspire you to share your heart and chase your dreams!
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Fellow graduates, I am honored to speak at our commencement this afternoon. On behalf of the Class of 2018, I would like to thank our families, friends, and teachers for gathering today to exchange memories and celebrate accomplishments.
Our education here at Harbor Beach High School has empowered us with the skills to excel. Involvement in class projects and extracurricular activities has nurtured our curiosity, sparked our interest, and inspired our aspirations. However, I would argue that the greatest lessons learned have transcended textbooks. We have learned about ourselves, about our individual gifts, and about the ways those unique traits and talents can positively influence other people. Most importantly, we have chosen extraordinary dreams, discovered what we want from this life and what is within that we may give to it.
My senior quote is, “The greatest risk any of us will take is to be seen as we are.” Although the words of Cinderella may seem simplistic, they serve to tell my story, rejecting the adolescent fallacy that success and happiness are universally construed definitions. In truth, we all follow different values, different priorities, different passions, and different callings; and we have to honor whatever it is that aligns with our hearts’ vision. It is in expressing those ideas and accepting our vulnerability that we penetrate another mind, impact another life, or touch another soul.
When I was 13 years old, I wanted to hide my light. Today I am 18, and all I want is to illuminate the world.
I still remember the moment I took a hard look in the mirror—as if I could somehow glimpse my soul in the iridescent glass—and asked myself whose life I was living. Within me, I knew, was the drive to create, to inspire, to innovate. Within me was potential. Within me was the kind of heart that does not beat to chase ordinary dreams.
While my gaze penetrated my reflection, I wrestled with unrealized potential. As a young writer, I found myself immersed in dreams that were beautiful and complicated and hard. I envisioned a published book—the chance to share with the world what was within—yet I was afraid to be vulnerable, to be seen. Then a middle school student, I sought my peers’ approval. Validation mattered. What if being myself meant being alone? What if the passion that set me apart barred me from fitting in? One by one, the fears flashed through my mind. I was torn between conforming and creating—split between acceptance and innovation. I almost wished for ordinary dreams.
To me, the enigma of my life’s meaning could be simplified to the choice between two regrets: Action was a risk, but so, too, was inaction. When I reached the end of my days, would I rather regret living too hard or not living enough? In the answer, I found a new sense of urgency. Perhaps innovation was a blessing, perhaps a curse, but in any respect, I came to believe it was a responsibility. As a citizen of the world, I enjoyed the opportunity to allow others’ gifts to touch me, to enlighten or elevate or empower. Who was I to contribute no talent in return? Who was I to be afraid?
It was not until I held a published copy of my poetry collection in my hands months later that I realized the project had transcended the scope of my vision. As planned, the process of creating my first book had been an immersive exploration of self, in which I had invested my heart in articulating complex emotions with the simple click of a keyboard. However, beyond my expectations, I had also come upon the opportunity to reach other minds and touch other souls. In my words, I was no longer alone. Writing was a medium not for alienation but for understanding.
Five years later, to innovate with words remains my greatest dream. Now a graduating senior, I recently released my third book with the intention not only to find my potential but to inspire other people to discover theirs. After reading those pages upon which I had impressed my heart, a friend told me that my words gave her hope. I know I will never again hide the smoke of the passionate fire burning inside my soul, for within me is a gift. Within me is the kind of heart that does not beat to chase ordinary dreams.
2018 graduates, our moment has come to not only honor but embrace whatever it is that aligns with our hearts’ vision. If there is someone in your life who has helped you arrive at this moment and supported your journey, I hope you take the time today to say thank you.
I would like to offer special acknowledgement to my parents, David and Janis, as well as my sister, Katelyn, for teaching me to navigate my life path independent of others’ expectations. Growing up, I recall my parents’ frequent advice to Katie and me: “Remember who you are. You don’t do what everyone else is doing. You do what’s right.”
On behalf of the Class of 2018, I also want to thank our teachers, administrators, kitchen staff, custodial workers, and other faculty members for their contributions to Harbor Beach High School. In particular, I extend sincere appreciation to my English teacher, Mrs. Hessling, and my principal, Mr. Bulgrien, whose validation of my dreams has changed my life. We are lucky for the people who give us a chance to shine.
Fellow graduates, it has been a pleasure. As we chase different dreams and pursue different directions, I would like to leave you with the words of one of my poems, entitled “To Be Seen.”
We want to be wanted, So we let them have our souls. We want to be valued, So we forget our self-worth. We want to be accepted, So we wrap our life around a lie. We want to be understood, So we learn to speak their language. We want to be loved, So we break our own hearts. But sometimes, When the fear fades away, When we find our place And find our light, All we want Is to be seen.
Thank you, Class of 2018, and all the best in our future!