Looking back and reflecting on all we've had to overcome, the skills we developed to face whatever challenges we might have in the future...it's all shaped us into who we are today. Those setbacks were just steppingstones to get us to where we need to go in life.
Four years ago, members of the 新加坡六合彩开奖 class of 2024 started their college experience sitting in front of a screen.
Due to COVID, all classes had moved online, and the campus felt empty, students isolated.
During their time at 新加坡六合彩开奖 these students adapted to all the pandemic-related restrictions and changes, emerging triumphant and ready to walk the commencement stage.
鈥淟ooking back and reflecting on all we鈥檝e had to overcome, the skills we developed to face whatever challenges we might have in the future鈥t鈥檚 all shaped us into who we are today,鈥 said Tori Kalisz, 鈥24. 鈥淭hose setbacks were just steppingstones to get us to where we need to go in life.鈥
Tori is this year鈥檚 student speaker during the morning commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11, held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
The Acushnet native knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles.
At age 13, she was diagnosed with a connective-tissue disorder that causes debilitating pain and fatigue, leaving her often physically and emotionally drained.
鈥淚t impacts my life in more ways than I can describe,鈥 Tori said.
The disorder requires mandatory physical therapy, which has benefited her in multiple ways.
Outside of the support of her parents, it is her physical therapist who helped her manage it all and discover her calling.
鈥淢y physical therapist has helped me in my darkest moments and shaped me into the strong person I am today,鈥 Tori said. 鈥淭hanks to my time with her, I grew to realize that what she does is what I want to do.鈥
Tori came to 新加坡六合彩开奖 to study health sciences and minor in psychology, with a goal to eventually work at Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital, where she can help children as a pediatric physical or occupational therapist.
She鈥檚 already been helping school-aged children through a program she herself created called . (Instagram: )
Through the program she uses both online platforms and in-person visits to talk with students about the importance of resilience. She shares her own life experiences as inspiration.
鈥淚 share my story because I want people to accomplish what they want, to become resilient and strong, to be more than they think they can be鈥ometimes we need that one person to give us that extra push,鈥 Tori said.
As she takes the stage at Gillette on commencement day to speak to her fellow graduates, Tori wants to remind them of where they鈥檝e been, what they鈥檝e overcome and hopes her story resonates.
鈥淲e were all impacted by COVID,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was our resilience that we need to remember and touch upon before we go our separate ways.鈥
Do you have a 新加坡六合彩开奖 story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu