Looking Ahead
2022 Commencement Speech by Rushang Patel
Good Evening. I believe purpose is an essential element of who we are. It is the reason each of us is on the planet at this particular time in history. Our very existence is wrapped up in the things we are here to do. No matter what career path we choose, remember, the struggles along the way are only meant to shape us, to help us find our purpose and reach our destination.
Graduates, as we move on to this next phase in our lives, we are going to encounter many people who tell us there is only one way to meet the future. They will say that we must choose from the well-trodden paths. But it is up to us to go out and carve our own paths, to make our own decisions, and our own mistakes.
It is up to us to pave the way forward as we walk it. Many of my classmates will pursue further education, while others go straight into the workforce or the military. Although we are going on our own paths, what ties us together is that we are all humans and are, therefore, allowed to make as many mistakes as we need as long as we continue to move forward and strive for excellence.
Throughout my experience in high school, I learned that even though there will always be someone better than me out there, as long as I try my absolute best, there is no one who can stop me from conquering my dreams. From a young age, I watched my parents persevere through many difficulties. My parents moved to this promising country so that my siblings and I could further our education. They left everything they knew behind and built better opportunities for my family from scratch. I am eternally thankful for the sacrifices my parents have made. They had a dream, carved their own path, worked hard, and moved forward.
Tonight the members of the Class of 2022 must do the same. My hope is that each one of us finds our unique purpose and our unique path in life.
And finally, thank you all for making the last four years so memorable for all of us.