“Sometimes people tell you what you’re worth.”
I looked directly toward the front row.
“Sometimes they decide your future before you’ve had a chance to build it yourself.”
My father’s face turned pale.
My mother looked down.
Amber stared at me without blinking.
“But here’s what I’ve learned.”
I smiled.
“The opinions of other people are not predictions.”
The crowd applauded.
I continued.
“You can be underestimated and still succeed.”
“You can be overlooked and still matter.”
“You can be rejected and still become extraordinary.”
More applause.
Some students were already wiping away tears.
