![\"\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/speeches\/files\/2012\/06\/20120602_will_0299.jpg\" "\\"2012-Williston-Commencement-Joanna-Lau\\"")
<\/a>When I received the invitation from the Head of School Bob Hill.\u00a0 I said “yes” without hesitation.\u00a0 I have deep respect for this institution, not to mention my daughter is now a senior here. Like most parents, I have visited the Williston community many times, observed student-teacher interaction in class, attended competitive sporting events and been mesmerized by many thespian productions.\u00a0 Cafeteria food also brought back memories.<\/p>\nThere is no better way to describe Williston than the way Steve Porter, Class of ’97, did.\u00a0 His production \u201cWilliston Is,\u201d featuring the Willistonians, describes the spirit, diversity, characters and values of Williston.\u00a0 Friends and family, if you haven\u2019t seen the video, do check it out on YouTube or the Williston website.\u00a0 It will make you proud, it will assure you that our future is in good hands.<\/p>\n
While I was trying to come up with an idea of what to say to the Class of 2012, I went to my best advisor, my daughter.\u00a0 Here\u2019s her advice: Don\u2019t embarrass me, don\u2019t try to be like us, don\u2019t talk too long, and by the way you have to love your speech.<\/p>\n
Well, that didn\u2019t give me much to work on.\u00a0 So I decided to tell you a story.\u00a0 Here it goes\u2026<\/p>\n
This is a story about Sophie.\u00a0 She was the oldest of six children.\u00a0 She was married at age 18 to a soldier, Joseph.\u00a0 Six years into their marriage, their lives were interrupted by war.\u00a0 Sophie was 24 when she took her four children and fled to a new country\u2014uncertain if her husband would ever join them or if they were going to survive.<\/p>\n
Happily, seven years later, Joseph and Sophie reunited.\u00a0 Making up for lost time, they had four more children.\u00a0 In those days, Joseph was a traveling salesman while Sophie was a homemaker raising those eight children.\u00a0 Then came news that Joseph had a stroke and died during one of his trips.\u00a0 Sophie was 48.\u00a0 It was Joseph\u2019s wish that children should be given a proper education, because neither Sophie nor Joseph had the chance of education.\u00a0 Sophie decided to pack up the family once again and moved to the United States of America, the land of dreams, to give the children their chance at hopes and dreams.\u00a0 In this new land of dreams, Sophie worked in a factory to provide for the youngsters.\u00a0 Along the way, Sophie endured the loss of two sons and she stared down cancer.<\/p>\n
Why do I tell you the story of Sophie you might ask?\u00a0 You may have already guessed.\u00a0 Sophie is the epitome of courage, faith, perseverance and unconditional love.<\/p>\n
You must have courage to face challenges and unknowns in your lives.\u00a0 The courage that tests your limit, your character, and your ability to overcome fear and despair.\u00a0 As you enter the next chapter of your life, choose wisely, be accountable and make a difference.<\/p>\n
You must have faith.\u00a0 No matter what denomination you belong to, faith gives us strength and hope.\u00a0\u00a0 It is a pillar, a support structure we can always turn to.<\/p>\n
You must persevere.\u00a0 You are your own master and only you can control your destiny.\u00a0 Be like a postage stamp, stick to your goal.\u00a0 We all experience \u201cthe no\u201d, \u201cthe can\u2019t\u201d.\u00a0 But if you don\u2019t ask, you won\u2019t get.\u00a0 Never walk away and regret, take \u201cno\u201d and \u201ccan\u2019t\u201d as learning experiences.\u00a0 There are plenty of \u201cyeses\u201d and \u201ccans\u201d in your journey.<\/p>\n
You must give unconditional love.\u00a0 This is the most precious gift of all. Love with no judgment, love with no expectation, love is not just a feeling, it is also an action. It is a commitment to loving actions toward another and yourself.<\/p>\n
There is a Sophie in each of you.\u00a0 Go forth with courage in your next chapter.\u00a0 Have faith in all you do.\u00a0 There is no wrong, only progress.\u00a0 Persevere; Rome was not built in a day.\u00a0 Embrace love, for you are loved by so many.<\/p>\n
The dedicated faculty and staff of Williston have given you the tools to pursue your dream, to pursue your passion.<\/p>\n
You have the ability to rise to the occasion.\u00a0 You have learned team loyalty.\u00a0 You have learned the \u201ctime management\u201d skill to navigate unplanned situations and the ability to adjust.\u00a0 You have built lasting friendships.<\/p>\n
Success is when preparation meets opportunity.\u00a0 You are prepared.\u00a0 Carry those disciplines with you wherever you go.\u00a0 They will serve you well.<\/p>\n
For Williston are\u2026you.<\/p>\n
Today Sophie is 86, a cancer survivor, remains independent and strong minded.\u00a0 She is a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.\u00a0 You never go hungry when you visit Sophie\u2014feeding others is her favorite past time.<\/p>\n
Sophie is my mother.\u00a0 She is my hero, my inspiration and my strength.\u00a0 Thank you for letting me shares my mother\u2019s story with you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thank you Bob, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff for the invitation to take part in today\u2019s celebration.\u00a0 I am deeply honored and thrilled for the opportunity to address the Class of 2012, accompanied by family and friends. When I received the invitation from the Head of School Bob Hill.\u00a0 I said “yes” without hesitation.\u00a0 … Continue reading Commencement Address by Joanna Lau P’13<\/span>