Senior Speech: Ashantie Burrell

Hello Class of 2026! Today marks the day we wipe our slates clean and look ahead to the promising possibilities of the future. We have labored, conquered fears, and dedicated countless hours to proclaim ourselves, the graduating Class of 2026. This celebration of great academic achievement will be a day to remember. However, before we do so, I ought to recount an anecdote that fits the bill of this momentous occasion. 

From childhood, my fear was not fitting in. I twisted myself into an unrecognizable shadow of myself, intent on fitting in. Fitting into the clothes of society, however, ill-suited. As I tried to tighten and tailor my societal attire to fit, I noticed all around me my peers’ clothing that dragged behind them or clung to their skin. Though I noticed this problem, I disregarded it, my focus was on the monumental amount of expectations, opinions, and critiques in my wardrobe.

However, as time passed and I reached high school, I began to develop a new fear: the fear that I  would lose myself in the temperament of my clothes, and that others around me would too. The uncomfortable feeling of wearing ill-fitting clothes was all too familiar to me, and the feeling had become unbearable. I began to tailor my clothing, I sewed confidence into my pockets, determination into my jeans, and braided resilience into my hair. I cut the self-doubt, trimmed the shyness, and hemmed my personality into something tailored to me. Through trial and error, I got clothes that finally showed off my true personality.

Though this personal transformation was life-altering, I still felt an insatiable desire. All around me, people walked past in unflattering clothing, the same predicament I used to find myself in. At this moment, I decided I would become a tailor for the people. I cut the judgment from people’s fabric, and mended tattered self-confidence with compliments and encouragement. My business flourished. I turned my fear of societal expectations into a passion that helped create an environment that encouraged others to be themselves and embrace true creativity.

Being compassionate and inviting isn’t something hard to do. We can all tailor each other's attire to create one unified group that highlights individuality, brought together by shared values, ambitions, and beliefs. Through this, we can create a more dignified environment and build a legacy worth leaving behind.