VALEDICTORY ADDRESS - Abelardo Jr. Cortez (Summa Cum Laude) Holy Angel University

Summary

This valedictory address reflects on the speaker’s journey from adversity to success, offering three key life lessons: the importance of having a clear purpose, the strength of unity, and the power of love in changing the world. The speaker acknowledges the support of family, teachers, and the Holy Angel University community in overcoming challenges, particularly the difficulties of online learning during a global crisis. The speech emphasizes that success is shared, and the future lies in embracing love, truth, and courage in various fields, inspiring fellow graduates to continue their journey with purpose and heart.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life's challenges can shape us, but our perseverance and purpose drive us forward.
• 😀 Coffee is used as a metaphor for life's journey, representing energy, resilience, and the connections we share with others.
• 😀 The speaker expresses deep gratitude for the people who supported them, especially their family and teachers.
• 😀 The importance of clarifying one's purpose in life is emphasized, as it motivates us to persist despite obstacles.
• 😀 Acknowledge and appreciate the people who help us through difficult times, as they make our achievements more meaningful.
• 😀 Love and gratitude should be shared, and it's essential to love and care for our parents, who are often overlooked in our pursuit of success.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how their life has been a story of overcoming adversity and rewriting their narrative to achieve success.
• 😀 Success is not only personal but should be shared with others, and the collective efforts of those around us make our achievements meaningful.
• 😀 The future graduates are reminded that they are not alone in their journey, and their accomplishments reflect the support and sacrifices of many others.
• 😀 The speech calls on future leaders, whether in education or industry, to act with integrity, courage, and love, to change the world for the better.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the valedictory speech?

The central theme of the speech is about perseverance, purpose, and the importance of love in creating positive change. The speaker reflects on their personal journey of overcoming challenges, emphasizes the value of hard work, and encourages their fellow graduates to apply love in all their future endeavors.

Why does the speaker mention coffee in the speech?

The speaker uses coffee as a metaphor to convey life's challenges and the importance of shared experiences. Coffee symbolizes the energy and motivation needed to face each day, and the idea that life, like coffee, is best when shared with others.

What role did the speaker's family play in their success?

The speaker's family played a crucial role in their success, providing support and encouragement during difficult times. The speaker specifically mentions their parents' sacrifices and how they were the driving force behind their educational journey.

What is the significance of the phrase 'we come as one but we stand as ten thousand'?

The phrase reflects the idea that while each individual is unique, they are never alone in their journey. It emphasizes the collective support of families, friends, and communities, and how these connections help individuals face challenges with strength and courage.

How does the speaker suggest we approach life after graduation?

The speaker suggests that graduates should approach life with purpose, unity, and love. They emphasize the importance of clarifying one’s purpose, standing together with others, and using love as a guiding principle in all actions.

What advice does the speaker offer to future educators?

The speaker encourages future educators to ignite the passion for learning in their students, inspire them to be better versions of themselves, and make a meaningful impact on their lives. They stress the responsibility of teachers to nurture both academic growth and character development.

Why does the speaker reference Simon Sinek’s quote?

The speaker references Simon Sinek’s quote, 'success comes when we wake up every day in the never-ending pursuit,' to emphasize the idea that success is not a single achievement but an ongoing process of working towards one’s goals, day by day.

How does the speaker relate the challenges of online education to personal growth?

The speaker acknowledges the struggles of online education and the overwhelming challenges faced by students during the pandemic, but they also highlight the resilience and growth that emerged from those difficulties. The speaker celebrates how graduates overcame adversity to reach this milestone.

What does the speaker mean by 'a life lived with love should be a life lived with courage'?

The speaker is suggesting that love and courage go hand in hand. To live a life full of love means to face challenges with bravery and to take action to create positive change, regardless of the difficulties or risks involved.

How does the speaker address the issue of historical revisionism?

The speaker calls attention to the dangers of historical revisionism, especially in the current 'post-truth' era. They urge graduates to stand firm in truth and to be responsible in narrating history based on credible sources, rather than relying on misinformation or biased platforms.