Poetic

Most of the shadows in one's lifetime come from standing in one's own sunshine.

Learning how to fall teaches you how to land, and learning to land gives you the courage to jump higher.

When you respect the law and the rights of all — because if you don't, who will? When your food is brought to you, when you thank the server — because if you don't, who will? When you pick up the litter that has missed the recycling bin — because if you don't, who will?

Through surf and storm, howling gale, high shall your purpose be.

You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart.

Between doubt and destiny is action. Between our community and the American dream is leadership.

The Berlin Wall limited my opportunities. It quite literally stood in my way. However, there was one thing which this wall couldn't do. It couldn't impose limits on my inner thoughts. My personality, my imagination, my dreams and desires — prohibitions or coercion couldn't limit any of that.

As of now, you become the writers of your own epic poem. And the truth is that every student, every class faces a unique set of challenges, and history judges whether they meet the moment.

It is not only the bomb or the bully that should keep us up at night — it is also the garden untilled and the newcomer unwelcomed, the neighbor unhoused and the prisoner unheard.

This is a battle-hardened hope, tempered by loss and clear-eyed about the stakes.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.