Commencement 2024: Speech by Vijay Shah ’24
Graduates, parents, esteemed faculty, and of course, Mr. Himelfarb. Good morning, and congratulations to the Class of 2024.
I want to start off by thanking my incredible parents. They’re the biggest supporters I have, and they’ve always pushed me to be the best version of myself. Mom and Dad, without you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And to my twin brother, Anand: eh, you’re alright too. Thank you for always being there for me. It’s not like you had a choice. You’re the best brother I could ask for, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.
And now to the class of 2024. In the words of world-renowned philosopher, poet, and artist Missy Elliott, “We did it.” Just four years ago today, we were confused freshmen, masked and distanced and getting lost in the halls, and now we’re seniors about to graduate, robed, cramped, and worrying how bad our cap hair and sweat stains will look in photos. Pretty bad.
It wasn’t that long ago when we experienced our first high school school classes through laptop screens. Our first Friday Night Lights game. Our first Upper School dance. Our first relationship. Our second relationship. Our third relationship. And then realizing that we were the issue the whole time.
High school was throwing countless obstacles at us like those. We survived SATs, college apps, Mr. Hanson’s econ memes, and then Ameen and Sanjana’s take on Taylor Swift. But then finally it came: the last day all of us would be in school together. I remember driving home in excitement, blasting “Baba O’Riley,” the windows down and the sunroof open, drenched in seltzer. It was a euphoric drive. Except for the baby blue Mini Coop with 50 bumper stickers covering the trunk and rear window, going way too slow down Angell Street. Remember this car — it will be important later.
When I arrived at Wheeler in the middle of 7th grade, I wanted so badly to fit in. But when I saw the person I was becoming, I didn’t recognize myself. I noticed I was making decisions to please others. And one day after a lot of self reflection, and a lot of Sprite, I asked myself, “Is it worth it? To try to be something you’re not, to satisfy others instead of yourself?”
I want to leave you with a message that I saw on the back of that Mini Coop, underneath a “Warning, student driver” sticker and a surprising blend of religious and sacrilegious iconography. It’s pretty serious actually. It was a message that I wish someone told me when I first came to Wheeleer: “Climb mountains, not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.” If this is your car, thank you for the inspiration. But also keep it pushing. Eight in a 25 is ridiculous.
So my fellow graduates, who do you want to be? Set your own goals, choose your own adventures, your own passion, and ultimately, your own legacy. Don’t be limited by fearing what other people think. Because no matter what, you’re always going to disappoint somebody in your life. But at the end of the day, don’t disappoint yourself.
I’d be very disappointed if I didn’t do one quick thing. (He holds up his phone, and takes a selfie from the podium with the Commencement audience in the background.)
Class of 2024, thank you again for these last four years, and I wish all of you nothing but the best.
