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South Court Auditorium

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Thank you, Homar. It’s an honor to be introduced by a Delaware State University alum. For me and Joe, Delaware State holds a special place in our hearts. And a teacher! That’s a great combination. 

To the Class of 2021: Congratulations!

A graduation is always special. A time to celebrate all that you have accomplished. I hope that for you this celebration is sweeter because so many of your challenges have been greater. 

As you might know, I teach English and Writing at Northern Virginia Community College. Many of my students are new Americans, immigrants, and refugees. I teach Dreamers who were brought to America as young children. 

Over the years, they’ve shared with me their journeys and their challenges, experiences that I’m guessing will sound familiar to a lot of you: leaving loved ones behind, learning new languages, experiencing violence, enduring poverty, living in fear of being forced to return to countries they’ve never known.

This past year, living, studying, and persevering through a pandemic that has changed our world in ways that we’re only beginning to understand—every day, I’m inspired. Because they arrive in my class filled with optimism and hope.

And you inspire me in the same way. Because you didn’t just receive an education—you worked for it. You fought for it. So I know that you’ll value it and put it to tremendous use in your own lives and in the life of our nation. 

Class of 2021, you have achieved and completed something that will change your life forever. You’ve given so much of yourselves in reaching this day, and we know you have so much to contribute to this nation in the days ahead. 

That’s why the President is working to build an immigration policy that creates fair pathways to citizenship for students like you. 

Now, I know you’re already busy beginning your next chapter, but I hope you just take a moment to celebrate for yourself and with those who were with you on this journey today.  

And now, the rest of your life is calling you. Your journey from this day forward will be both heartbreaking and hopeful, bruised and beautiful—but you already know that. The inner strength that got you here will serve you well. 

The education you’ve received has prepared you well. The decisions you have made will guide you well. And so all that’s left for me to say is I wish you well. 

Congratulations, Class of 2021. We stand with you. Never stop dreaming. 

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