Scholar High School Speeches

A couple of our scholars wanted to share their valedictorian speeches with us.  Please take a minute to read and admire these beautiful young ladies, who continue represent our organization with great pride and gratitude.  We dedicate these speeches to all recent graduates and to all who continue to reach for those stars.


Shakira DelaCruz - Scholar #8
Gateway H.S. of Environmental & Research Technology at the Stevenson Campus Graduation 2015

Faria Islam - Scholar #11

The Young Women's Leadership School of Queens High School Graduation 2018

Good Afternoon, administration, staff, family, friends, and class of 2018. I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the administration for providing me with this opportunity to feel nauseous and petrified, but also full of pride to represent our incredible class. I am humbled by this opportunity.

Having a voice means being able to speak our truth, our needs and our wants. As a woman of color, like many of you, I have faced cultural, religious and social expectations that discouraged me from using my voice. Four years ago, I came to our school with a restricted voice because of fear of being silenced and mocked by others. However, TYWLS has empowered me to leverage my power of speech. It became a safe place to think critically and engage in intimate, thoughtful seminars, where many of our peers and teachers supported us and wanted to hear what we had to say.

In April, I was assigned to present a writing piece and lead a general discussion at my mentorship program called Minds Matter. I choose an article about the #MeToo Movement and asked my peers: “Why do you think a lot of women are speaking out about demeaning male behavior?”. I was conflicted when one of my peers said, “Some women make up the stories and lie.” I was disturbed because the comment seemed to be wrapped up in the assumption that the harder we strive, and the louder our voices are, is equated with being dishonest and disgraceful. There is a stigma that women should be submissive and that victims are often to blame. I share this story today to help you remember the values instilled within you at TYWLS on agency of voice. TYWLS has prepared me to present this sensitive issue and speak the truth to power. It has allowed us to develop our own critical thinking skills and examine the interconnected world.

Since intolerance and suppression of dissenting voices is on the rise, your voice is most important today to create a change. There are more than 130 million girls between the age of 6 and 17 are out of school globally. These girls do not even have a chance to speak on daily basis because their families and communities do not even care about their presence. Class of 2018, you are all privileged to have been given a chance to express your opinion and contribute to the TYWLS community. I urge you all to continue to use the voice that has been molded within every single one of you for years and inspire others to use theirs in college. Do not let the opinions of others define what you believe and overpower your inner voice. Remember expressing your values in an appropriate way weakens institutions that have a history of inequality by paving a different direction. This year, our class hosted the first TYWLS of Queens voting rally, successfully participated in multiple national school walkouts against gun violence, established Dreamers Alliance with the leadership of Mr. Kane, fellow graduates and Angely, and much more. When you say what you stand for, you are more likely to take actions to extract the result you are looking for.

The achievements of this class would not have been possible without the support of our parents and teachers. Thank you. Over the years, Mrs. Grech taught us to try understand information rather than memorize it. I thank Mr. Otto who made us laugh with but never at, each other. I also thank Ms. Marcus for inspiring me to continue to improve myself. Although all the knowledge we received is valuable, the most important lesson we have learned is that our voices are powerful to create a change. We, the class of 2018, thank every single one of you for your hard work and investment in our education. Finally, to my parents, thank you so much for everything you have done. I hope I made you proud.

Graduating class, this is your time to shine. But let me be clear: the definition of commencement is a new beginning. Although this is the time of celebration, understand that you have completed what you were obligated to, use this opportunity to celebrate the hard work that is ahead for us.You will face multiple barriers that contradict your values in college and there will times where you wish to move away and not address it. Once, you find your passion and your voice in anything you do in the future, have the courage to pursue it. Then you will begin to appreciate life and get on with your journey.
To the class of 2018, it has been an honor to walk by your side. 

Congratulations and best of luck!