Graduates of the class of 2020, can I just say, you and the rest of the world will not soon forget your graduation season. The concluding months of your final year have been marked by a global pandemic, civil advocacy, and an economic shutdown of historic proportions. Yet here you are. You have weathered all of these turbulent waters and have come out on the other side, a little worse for wear yes, but no less having earned the title of graduates. You had to mourn the loss of so many things; senior year staples like prom, banquets, yearbook signings, tear-filled goodbyes, and of course your commencement celebrations. Many of you had to forego your final seasons, last concert, or that senior recital. The amount of loss you have had to endure, at no fault of your own, is heartbreaking. Let's just say what having all of these things robbed from you really is... just plain wrong.
Yet, all of these calamities and loss will not be what defines you, or even what you are remembered for. When the rest of society looks to you, undoubtedly you will have taught the rest of us so much more than we could have ever taught you. The way in which you sought to maintain connection and foster relationships with those you care about is admirable. The ingenuity you displayed in recreating significant moments like prom, well that's enviable. Your determination in completing your studies, in some cases even when you weren't required, well that's downright heroic.
What your generation has endured over your adolescent years is beyond what some generations have seen in a lifetime. Things like mass-shooter drills (and the trauma that comes with it), living through not one, but two economic recessions in less than 15 years, and the growing polarization of a political climate that could never be considered civil in your lifetime, has set you up to be some of the most battle-hardened leaders in history. It also means that many of you are carrying heavy burdens and attempting to hide scars of the various traumas that have impacted you.
My hope is that you will have clear eyes to recognize the needs of your peers around you, and yes the greater communities of which you are a part. In many ways, you have not been able to be kids. You either have been so protected by older generations in the name of safety, you have delayed the maturation processes that usually comes with adolescence (see Twenge's book, "iGen"), or you have been put in scenarios where you have had to grow up so fast, you bypassed any since of adolescent learning completely. The needs of those around you will be diverse, and unlike any generation's before you. Yet you have access to more resources and abilities to impact change than any group in society before you. Be good stewards of these resources and work to affect meaningful change.
It is not fair what all you have endured, yet it uniquely prepares you do bring about change with such a force, it will be inconceivable to most, but obviously not to you all. Your dreams and aspirations are within reach in such a profound way, that it would be nothing short of a failure for you to not take hold of them. Use the experiences of your young lives to attack the shortcomings of your predecessors. Allow your demonstrated sustainability in the face of great adversity not to be used as a crutch, but instead to serve as your motivation. Allow what others try to label you as, to be what serves as your source of strength, because you are uniquely you, and God has made you to be a special, beloved child just as you are.
To the class of 2020, I say what have been challenges to you, can now be your source of motivation and encouragement. You have displayed to the world, and to yourselves, that you can handle anything that is thrown at you. Trust me, much more will come your way in the years ahead, but I can tell that you and your peers will leave an important mark on our world. I truly believe you are here for such a time and for such things as what our world needs most right, and the rest of us can't help but to take notice. May you live into all you are, and all that you can be.
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