Graduation Speech: Aminata Kebe

Good morning, to our respected principal, teachers, proud parents, and my fellow graduates of the Class of 2025.

Today, we gather not only to celebrate our accomplishments, but also to take a step back and reminisce about our past days at North Brunswick Township High School. High school was a magical place; a place where the dynamics, both positive and negative, seemed to exist in extremes. I would like to thank our principal, Mr. Kneller, and the administration for listening to their students and standing by us through it all.

Today marks an important milestone in our lives, but as we walk across this stage, I’m reminded of the thousands of young and delicate youth around the world who may never get that chance. Education inequality still exists, and it is one of the most important, yet ignored, global issues of our day.

Approximately 250 million children and youth across the globe are not in school, a hardship they suffer because of gender or financial status. However, I know we can make a change. As we have received generosity from our parents and teachers, it is high time to be generous to the world. We are going to take this baton and, I am certain, run this race faster than anyone else. We will enter the workforce with a fierce determination, a mindset inspired to work hard, and motivation to be consistent in our thoughts and actions. We can be the ones to lift others up, solve problems, and shape a better future.

Our freedom of speech was exercised and allowed to grow in this place, our school community, which shows that we can contribute to this democracy by understanding the significance of staying informed and speaking up for what is right.

As we pass through these gates, let us make it our mission to show the world who we are. Let it be known that we are fighters. Let it be known that we are leaders. And most importantly, let it be known that we are part of this great generation.