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Graduation Speech
by Leah Partow
Today, I stand before you as an immigrant’s daughter. My father and his family were driven from their homes by the
Islamic Revolution in Iran. They came to this country with almost nothing, they could hardly speak English. My uncle was
an incredibly brave man. He snuck back into Iran, risking his life to retrieve valuable possessions to sell – and to retrieve
something priceless: our family photos. Just weeks ago, cancer took him away from us long before his time. Yet I’ll
always treasure the memory of his genuine fervor for this country. It was almost comical how he would cheer his children
on when they did homework. He would jump in the air, clapping and shouting “This is America! In America, you can
become anything.” His vivacious spirit inspired his children to pursue the American dream. Now, one is a teacher, one is
a musician, and one is a doctor.
I am proud to say that my family has not been overcome by adversity. Instead, with hard work and determination, we have
overcome the difficulties. This has been my journey, my family’s journey. Perhaps your journey does not look exactly like
mine, but I truly believe that in many ways, our history is much the same. Whether we have led a life of privilege or of
difficulty, there will yet be stumbling blocks we must face and overcome if we want to find success in life. Remember the
words of Booker T. Washington: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as
by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” It is how we face our obstacles that will make us
different. If we are passionate and determined, we can accomplish anything.
We should aspire to follow in the footsteps of those who have done just that. William Wilberforce was only 19 years old
when he began his political career. Although just five feet tall and chronically ill, he almost single-handedly ended slavery
in the British Empire. Corrie Ten Boom stood against the Nazi regime in Holland during World War II. She risked her life
to save thousands of Jews people and was thrown into a concentration camp where her entire family died. Yet she
overcame, forgiving her enemies and traveling the world teaching others the healing power of forgiveness. Recently, I
met 25 year old Nick Vujicic from Australia. Although born with no arms or legs, he has already spoken in 19 countries.
His message is simple: “Don’t tell me your life is too hard! You can overcome.”
Who among us will make the tough choices like these men and women? Who among us will find it within ourselves to
overcome and to make a difference in our world? The answer is all of us can; the question is: how many of us will? I am
asking you to stand up tonight and promise to fight through adversity and always try to make a difference.
My fellow graduates, this is our year, tonight is our night to celebrate this defining moment. I know that it hasn’t always
been easy. Each and every one of us has faced trials, but whether or not we realized it before this moment, right now we
are here in our cap and gown because we have overcome those difficulties. That is an accomplishment worthy of praise.
It should make all of us even more proud to be here tonight in our Toro blue.
We are all searching for our place in this world. Perhaps you’re like me – still not entirely sure where or what that is. But
in all our searching let us not forget my uncle’s encouraging words. “This is America. In America, you can become
anything!” In America, the victorious underdog is the most celebrated of all. No dream is too big, no ambition too lofty. So
don’t live down to expectations, go out there and do something remarkable. As for me, I’m proud to be an immigrant’s
daughter, thrilled to be living the American dream and confident that each and every one of you can live your dream, too.
After all… this is still America!
Learn more about Leah's Missionary Adventures!
Support Leah with the purchase of a beautiful salvation bracelet.
by Leah Partow
Today, I stand before you as an immigrant’s daughter. My father and his family were driven from their homes by the
Islamic Revolution in Iran. They came to this country with almost nothing, they could hardly speak English. My uncle was
an incredibly brave man. He snuck back into Iran, risking his life to retrieve valuable possessions to sell – and to retrieve
something priceless: our family photos. Just weeks ago, cancer took him away from us long before his time. Yet I’ll
always treasure the memory of his genuine fervor for this country. It was almost comical how he would cheer his children
on when they did homework. He would jump in the air, clapping and shouting “This is America! In America, you can
become anything.” His vivacious spirit inspired his children to pursue the American dream. Now, one is a teacher, one is
a musician, and one is a doctor.
I am proud to say that my family has not been overcome by adversity. Instead, with hard work and determination, we have
overcome the difficulties. This has been my journey, my family’s journey. Perhaps your journey does not look exactly like
mine, but I truly believe that in many ways, our history is much the same. Whether we have led a life of privilege or of
difficulty, there will yet be stumbling blocks we must face and overcome if we want to find success in life. Remember the
words of Booker T. Washington: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as
by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” It is how we face our obstacles that will make us
different. If we are passionate and determined, we can accomplish anything.
We should aspire to follow in the footsteps of those who have done just that. William Wilberforce was only 19 years old
when he began his political career. Although just five feet tall and chronically ill, he almost single-handedly ended slavery
in the British Empire. Corrie Ten Boom stood against the Nazi regime in Holland during World War II. She risked her life
to save thousands of Jews people and was thrown into a concentration camp where her entire family died. Yet she
overcame, forgiving her enemies and traveling the world teaching others the healing power of forgiveness. Recently, I
met 25 year old Nick Vujicic from Australia. Although born with no arms or legs, he has already spoken in 19 countries.
His message is simple: “Don’t tell me your life is too hard! You can overcome.”
Who among us will make the tough choices like these men and women? Who among us will find it within ourselves to
overcome and to make a difference in our world? The answer is all of us can; the question is: how many of us will? I am
asking you to stand up tonight and promise to fight through adversity and always try to make a difference.
My fellow graduates, this is our year, tonight is our night to celebrate this defining moment. I know that it hasn’t always
been easy. Each and every one of us has faced trials, but whether or not we realized it before this moment, right now we
are here in our cap and gown because we have overcome those difficulties. That is an accomplishment worthy of praise.
It should make all of us even more proud to be here tonight in our Toro blue.
We are all searching for our place in this world. Perhaps you’re like me – still not entirely sure where or what that is. But
in all our searching let us not forget my uncle’s encouraging words. “This is America. In America, you can become
anything!” In America, the victorious underdog is the most celebrated of all. No dream is too big, no ambition too lofty. So
don’t live down to expectations, go out there and do something remarkable. As for me, I’m proud to be an immigrant’s
daughter, thrilled to be living the American dream and confident that each and every one of you can live your dream, too.
After all… this is still America!
Learn more about Leah's Missionary Adventures!
Support Leah with the purchase of a beautiful salvation bracelet.
Twenty-eight years ago, on a football field in New Jersey, my
mother stood to address her graduating class. It was a
crowning achievement for the daughter of working-class Irish
immigrants. She spoke of war, economic adversity and the need
for change. At that time, America was swept up in a nuclear
arms race with the Soviet Union. Gas prices were considered
outrageous. Families struggled to get by. The Middle East was
in chaos. Apathy ruled in the hearts of our nation’s youth. Sound
familiar?
The fact is, every generation faces the same essential
challenges and the same basic decision: will we be overcome
by difficulty or will we prevail when the times are dark and
difficult? There will always be war, economic tribulation, and
pervasive apathy. This world isn’t suddenly going to make
everything easy for us. But that doesn’t matter. It is what we do
with what we have that matters.
mother stood to address her graduating class. It was a
crowning achievement for the daughter of working-class Irish
immigrants. She spoke of war, economic adversity and the need
for change. At that time, America was swept up in a nuclear
arms race with the Soviet Union. Gas prices were considered
outrageous. Families struggled to get by. The Middle East was
in chaos. Apathy ruled in the hearts of our nation’s youth. Sound
familiar?
The fact is, every generation faces the same essential
challenges and the same basic decision: will we be overcome
by difficulty or will we prevail when the times are dark and
difficult? There will always be war, economic tribulation, and
pervasive apathy. This world isn’t suddenly going to make
everything easy for us. But that doesn’t matter. It is what we do
with what we have that matters.