001In the midst of COVID, before we all entered freshman year, my dad passed away and his absence has been one of the hardest lessons. As I stepped into the school for the first time as a freshman, I didn't feel prepared to face what was ahead of me. I was facing so many challenges at home already and was uncertain about the future challenges that were to come in high school. Having one less person in my life to be there and support me in my first year of high school really did take a toll on me. I thought about giving up in every way a person can give up. But seeing my family so heartbroken yet still so loving and supportive, I realized that giving up was never an option. Instead of abandoning my life, I decided
002that I needed to heal. I needed to continue to grow into the person he would have always wanted me to be. That year, I turned my dad's passing into a lesson. While there's still grief and feeling of loss every day, it has taught me to appreciate every moment and every single person who helps you grow in life. As sad as it sounds, losing my father is what started my journey of growing up. In the face of his loss, I discovered strength and resilience in me that I would have never known I had. My family always says that he would be so proud of the woman I've become. And I think giving this speech today really proves that. During significant milestones like today, we look around to see those who are on this journey with us
003and those who are by our side just when we needed them to be. Those who made us laugh when we were crying and those who even made us cry. This moment of graduation isn't just ours. It belongs to every person who believed in us, challenged us, and made us who we are today. But through everything, no matter what, we've learned that growth isn't linear.