For those of you who personally don’t know me, you’ve probably seen me in the halls. You can’t miss me, I’m the girl with the often times colorful scarf on her head. Yes, I am Muslim and for those who don’t know me that is all they will remember, but hopefully with this farewell, the class of 2003 will learn about me.
I wasn’t the team captain on a sports team, and I didn’t have the highest G.P.A, but I feel that I gave my unique contribution to this class in many ways. I was the non-conformist. No, I’m not all pierced and dressed in really creative clothes, but I was the student who believed that our true uniqueness derives from our thoughts and ideas. I am a firm believer in diversity and unity and I have traveled across the country speaking to young people about the importance of those two things. I’ve been on television a few times and some of my writings/speeches have been published nationally. I’ve even been on the radio.
You’re probably wondering what I’m trying to get at. My point: although extracurricular activities and grades were important in high school, there were other important things as well. Finding out who you are, trying to be the best you can at being yourself, and helping others are some important things, to list a few. The extracurricular activities and good grades seemed like the focus, but in all actuality the goal really worth achieving was discovering the many possibilities you have in life. If you didn’t open your mind and eyes these past four years, I hope you do now.
High school, like many other experiences, was an opportunity. It was an opportunity to explore new things, learn new things, and grow as a person. If I could say one thing to the seniors as we leave, it would be not to waste the opportunities that we have in life. Think of everything as a learning experience and make the most of each day. Do not settle for mediocrity when excellence can be achieved. Henry David Thoreau said “ One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.”
I can truly say that the four years that I have spent in high school have literally been life changing. I am not even close to the person I was when I first entered these halls in the ninth grade. I have experienced triumph and failure, tragedy and happiness, and in the end I have grown to become a person that I am proud of.
So now, If you didn’t know me before, you can say that you kind of know Jameelah. When you think of me, you can think of someone who hopes to inspire you to do something positive with your life. You can remember me as someone who believes that we all have a significant contribution to make to society, and if we have faith and strength, anything is possible.