2010 Plaza College Graduation: Student Address
Keynote Student Address
Friday June 18, 2010
By Elizabeth Rodriguez
Good morning and welcome Board of Trustees, President Callahan, Provost Callahan, administrators, faculty, families, and the graduation class of 2010
For over 30 years I secretly yearned to be able to return to school. Every time I would see young men and women in their caps and gowns, I felt like a child with her faced pressed against a candy store window, peering from the outside in. I was so close, yet I couldn’t have it.
But here I am today in the candy store looking out, and my heart is filled with joy and love! I am honored to be part of such a memorable day and to be able to share this pivotal moment in our lives.
Today we graduate as ONE; we are a FAMILY. We have laughed together, cried together, and picked each other up when times got rough. I am amazed and in awe of the resilience that YOU, my friends, my fellow graduates, have demonstrated. I APPLAUD you for your commitment when you could have given up. I APPLAUD you for believing in each other, and for being supportive of each other. The relationships we have forged will transcend time. Each and every one of you has had an impact on each other’s lives. We may not think we have, but we have. Whether it was something as minor as a smile, or Dean Loffert’s positive reinforcement of a jolly “GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!” or “Don’t worry about it I know you can do it”. These simple gestures and words may have made a huge difference for someone that day.
I also had a wonderful support group, and I am blessed and thankful that many are sitting in this auditorium today.
Wanda Barrera, Sabrina Green , Crystal Vasquez and Jacqueline Gonzalez, your words and actions have left a significant impact in my life.
Stacy Arce, Kataryzna Cudnik, Tereasa Miller, and Marlens Hunter-Montilla, you are phenomenal, exceptional strong women. My life has been enriched by your friendship.
To my children, and this includes my beautiful daughter-in-law, Sara –Thank you for loving me unconditionally and allowing me to grow not just as a mother but accepting me as person and a woman. You are, by far, my greatest achievement.
My Mom (Miledy, Maritza, Maricell), thank you for always reminding me that “it’s never too late.” NUNCA ES MUY TARDE!!!.
My boyfriend, Vincent –You have been my support and strength. I am truly fortunate to have you in my life
To my daughter, Sabrina, My little girl--You have been with me through it all. I am so proud of the strong, independent, and courageous young lady you have become. You were just a child, thrown into an adult world and you MADE it. It’s like I have said to you for these last two years: “Hate me now—love me later.” For I always loved you enough for both of us! Congratulations, my beautiful daughter.
There’s three little people in the audience I must acknowledge: my grandchildren Sage, Jonathan and TJ—Grandma loves you.
All of us walked through the doors of Plaza with high hopes, dreams, and determination as well as fears and uncertainties. This was especially true for me. I walked through the doors of Plaza College desperately seeking help for my then 17 year old daughter. That day was a turning point in my life, and today, I will not only share one of the most important days in my daughter’s life, but we will walk together at our college graduation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Vanessa Lopez. Her acts of kindness and compassion resulted in our being here TODAY.
On behalf of the graduates I want to thank everyone at Plaza College who was instrumental in making this day a reality.
Dean Dolla, and Dr. Dee. To quote Isaac Newton, “If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulder of giants.” You carry the burden of the futures of hundreds of students. You are the silent force behind the scenes. Your leadership and guidance are invaluable and what make Plaza a success.
To the Callahan family: Since 1916, your commitment to education and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance has made you the best kept secret in Queens. The academic standards you uphold are to be commended. Because of this, we are stronger and ready to go out into the world and leave our mark. Your dedication to your students is what distinguishes Plaza from other schools. We are proud to say that we are graduates of Plaza College.
Our professors-what can I say? You always believed in us. You always found a way to bring out the best in us. You always knew when to give us that extra push (and as Prof. Howle would say “NO HOT MESSES” were accepted,). There are no words that can fully express our appreciation.
I was inspired by three remarkable teachers.
Ms. Bocchino. There are no words to express my gratitude. You have been with me through my most difficult moments. You set aside your own problems to take the time to reach out to me. You are a true inspiration.
Ms. Loffert. Your positive reinforcement theory is so right on. I know many here would agree that you have brought a new outlook on life to everyone. You have shown us to always see the light at the end of the tunnel. To embrace life with enthusiasm.
Prof. Howle. You left in the middle of your class to call me. That phone call changed my life. You are an amazing human being, an example to all teachers & students, MY ROCK. The influence you have had in my life will be with me forever. Even when I doubted myself, your faith in me never wavered. There will never be another “Prof. Howle” who can replace you.
For two years we were on a roller coaster ride. Some days, we were on top of the world, and during others, we were spiraling straight down, filled with frustrations and doubts. But EACH time we looked deep inside ourselves and found the fortitude to continue. It was a long and sometimes hard road, a road that had detours and stop signs, but our map was our HEART and SOUL and our HUNGER to SUCCEED led us away from the detours and stop signs. I certainly have had my share of detours and obstacles.
Months prior to registering at Plaza I had a nervous breakdown. A series of events in my life had taken its toll. I had suffered a stroke; I then developed Bells Palsy, which left me unable to speak for over six months, and my 26-year-old sister had committed suicide. I was unemployed and losing my home to foreclosure. For the first time in my life, I had lost faith in mankind, lost all faith in myself and felt like a failure as a person and as a mother. I had lost myself.
However, Plaza College helped me find myself and gave me my self-esteem back. Plaza College saved my life!!! Just like many of you I was given a second chance. The encouragement and support I received at Plaza from teachers and students alike helped me see that I could make it, and that I deserved more than just looking from the outside in--I DESERVED to be inside the candy store!!
So, I ask you “NOW WHAT?” The road has not come to an end yet. The sky is the limit for all of us! We have demonstrated to the school, the community, and the world that there is absolutely NOTHING our class cannot do. For example, in ONE day we raised $3,000 for the Haiti Relief Initiative. That day, faculty, staff, and students were one force united for a cause. In fact, looking out at you, I see nurses, doctors, writers, and teachers in the audience. I SEE , FEEL SUCCESS.
As Booker T. Washington said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which have been overcome while trying to succeed.”
We have come this far. YOU have had to make sacrifices, YOU have struggled, and YOU have SUCCEEDED. You have demonstrated the commitment and the integrity to face adversity head on. Don’t settle for second place!
Standing here, I see STRENGTH, COURAGE, and CONVICTION. I SMELL VICTORY and PRIDE in the air (can’t you smell it?) I DO!! We have fought a long hard battle TOGETHER, but we CONQUERED and TRIUMPHED. Today we are proud to be called Plaza College 2010 graduates. STAND TALL, STAND PROUD! You made it! –We made it! CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIENDS-MY FAMILY.
Thank You