Faculty members, parents, guests and graduates have no fear. I am well aware that on such an exciting day, what is most required of any speaker is brevity. I will not disappoint you in this regard. When we arrived at State College everything was new to us and we walked around looking at everything in awe. As we prepared to leave, we were lucky enough to see State College from the top of the tallest building, looking at everything with nostalgic familiarity, inspecting the little people who bring State College to life, trying to imagine the countless buses. we squeezed each other to continue, and the hours spent chatting with friends. State College has meant something different to each of us, good, basketball. The thing about State College is that everyone is so excited to be here that the energy is palpable. There is a vibrancy, newness, and sense of possibility that sweeps us away as students, motivates you as teachers and staff, and makes an impression on those who watch - and indeed, we know that There are many people who look at us and look for good. the bad, basketball. We are a community diverse in thought and background: the kind of terrain that is never easy to navigate. From my own experience, I have spent my entire life learning to navigate such terrain – across divided, diverse and difference-ridden countries, communities and schools – so I know how difficult it is , uncomfortable and sometimes exhausting. process can be - but I also know that it is remarkably rewarding and powerful, but above all necessary. I know graduation speeches are notorious for trying to convey big messages to a sea of ​​overworked and overheated people, .... ... middle of paper ......time since we were born. When we left for college, they knew we were still kids at heart. Now they look at the young men and women we have become and find themselves as speechless as we are. For lack of words, turn around and blow your parents a kiss, wave to them; it's Mother's Day after all, and they know the gratitude and love these simple gestures mean today. Our families supported us as we learned to walk, as we learned to become adults, and amid the uncertainties of moving on, they once again became our ground and the arms that hold us steady. The best friends we made have also become our family and they will be with us through this and other uncertainty. For now, enjoy the goodbyes and welcome the new beginnings and remember that four years ago we were doing the exact same thing: and it turned out well.