Roosevelt High School’s Unity in the Community Day!
In December, I had the incredible honor of delivering the keynote address at Roosevelt High School’s Unity in the Community Day, an event that truly embodies the spirit of learning, connection, and community engagement.
The day is designed to create a space where students can not only explore academic topics but also engage with one another on a deeper, more personal level. The event is entirely student-led, with workshops facilitated by Roosevelt students themselves, covering an incredible range of topics—from the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to the practical skills of making paella, to the importance of emotional intelligence.
This academic yet deeply human-focused day of workshops is a testament to the vibrant, dynamic energy at Roosevelt, where students take the lead in shaping conversations and creating opportunities for learning and dialogue. It’s a day where ideas are exchanged, new perspectives are discovered, and unity is cultivated through understanding and shared experience.
As a second-generation Roosevelt Alumni, I was thrilled to be part of such a transformative day, where students are empowered to learn and teach one another in a space that values both intellectual and emotional growth.
And as I delivered my keynote address to kick off the day’s events, I had one main message for the students:
“Unity will cost you the current version of yourself.”
The Heart Behind the Message
Unity comes with a price tag. It challenges us to examine our assumptions, confront our biases, and sometimes, let go of parts of ourselves that no longer serve the vision of an equitable and inclusive community. I wanted the students at Roosevelt to understand that true unity doesn’t come without sacrifice. It asks us to change to live a life with the best interest of our neighbor.
The Cost of Unity
The central theme of my speech, “Unity will cost you the current version of yourself,” was a reflection on the challenges that come with creating a truly unified community. It’s easy to talk about unity in abstract terms, but real unity demands change. It requires us to examine how we see others and how we act in the world. It requires us to let go of old patterns or mindsets and step into a new space of understanding and connection.
I shared my own experiences at Roosevelt—both the memorable and the difficult ones—and emphasized that the richness of my time at this school came with a cost. I had to be willing to challenge myself, check my biases, and step outside the status quo in order to fully embrace the diversity of experiences this community offers.
A Love for Roosevelt’s Students
When I speak about Roosevelt’s students, I do so with great love and respect. These young people are the future, and they have so much potential to create change. Whether it’s through their activism, leadership in the classroom, or the ways they support one another, Roosevelt students embody the value of vision.
With a more inclusive vision, perhaps these students can begin to reflect that in their personal values and their part of leaving a powerful legacy at Roosevelt.
The Path Forward: Unity as a Continuous Journey
Unity is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing journey. The work we do—whether as individuals, schools, or communities—requires a willingness to evolve and to listen. We must continuously ask ourselves how we can show up better, how we can ensure that our actions align with the values of equity and justice.
For the students at Roosevelt, I hope my message served as a reminder that their journey toward unity doesn’t stop after one day or one speech. It’s something that requires daily commitment, self-reflection, and a willingness to grow—together.
As I closed out my speech, I left the students with a challenge:
What can you change about yourself today that will leave a lasting legacy at Roosevelt?
I mentioned that it wouldn’t be easy but with a sprinkle of self-awareness and a pinch of vulnerability, they can cultivate a school environment of joy.
