Graduation Speech: Ayden Lukose

Good evening, respected faculty, proud families, and my fellow graduates. As I stand here today, filled with gratitude and hope, I want to talk about something bigger than ourselves, something that will define the legacy our generation leaves behind. If you look around, you’ll see a world both beautiful and burdened. One issue that resonates with me deeply is the growing climate crisis. It isn’t just a problem of melting glaciers or rising sea levels; it’s a challenge that threatens the foundation of our communities, economies, and future livelihoods.

I truly believe that our generation is the right one to address this issue. Why? The reason why is because we are the most connected, the most informed, and the most empathetic generation in history. We’ve grown up witnessing not just the problems, but also the power of collective action. From global climate marches to grassroots mutual aid during crises, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when people refuse to be bystanders and decide to take action. 

I want to share a story, a small moment that changed my understanding of what a community is. A few years ago, I was in India for summer vacation. Towards the end of our stay, there was a storm that took out power in our area, and devastated some homes with fallen trees and flooding. While the world around us seemed to pause, our community came alive. People who had barely been in conversation before distributed food, they shared generators as a source of electricity, and checked on the elderly. I remember helping clean up properties that had been destroyed and listening to neighbors I had never spoken to before. In those moments, I realized that change doesn’t start with sweeping policies or grand gestures. It starts with people caring about other people.

That sense of duty has stayed with me. It’s taught me that while we may not all have the resources to solve global problems overnight, we all have the capacity to contribute. So, what can we do — starting now?

First, we must educate ourselves on the state of the world. Understanding the challenges that the world faces is the first step to overcoming them. Second, take action to be more involved locally. Whether it’s joining a community clean-up, fighting for sustainable policies, or supporting local businesses, all of these small actions add up. And last, but certainly not least, lead with empathy. The future we look to create won’t be measured in only our technological advances or economic gains, but in how we treat those that are vulnerable among us.

Now, I ask you to picture the world ten years from now. I see a generation that redefined what it means to be a global citizen. A generation that halted environmental decline, dismantled barriers to equality, and made drastic changes in appreciating those that are perceived as different. A world where leadership looks like compassion, and progress feels like inclusion.

Class of 2025, our role in shaping the future is not optional, it’s a responsibility we inherited and an opportunity we must seize. Let’s go out and build the world we deserve. Thank you.