hello everybody hi I’m Veronica and my name is Nathaniel and today before I
name is Nathaniel and today before I
name is Nathaniel and today before I start talking I want to tell you a
start talking I want to tell you a
start talking I want to tell you a little bit about rice rice is a club
little bit about rice rice is a club
little bit about rice rice is a club that I founded along with one of my
that I founded along with one of my
that I founded along with one of my friends two years ago we have a series
friends two years ago we have a series
friends two years ago we have a series of programs in a public school here so
of programs in a public school here so
of programs in a public school here so we teach the fourth graders values the
we teach the fourth graders values the
we teach the fourth graders values the sixth graders English classes the ninth
sixth graders English classes the ninth
sixth graders English classes the ninth graders organization and study skills
graders organization and study skills
graders organization and study skills and we’re currently restoring a public
and we’re currently restoring a public
and we’re currently restoring a public library in our school we’re also running
library in our school we’re also running
library in our school we’re also running a program called Wright’s middle school
a program called Wright’s middle school
a program called Wright’s middle school where we teach sixth graders the
where we teach sixth graders the
where we teach sixth graders the importance of empowerment and
importance of empowerment and
importance of empowerment and self-esteem
self-esteem
self-esteem but to us Rises much more than these
but to us Rises much more than these
but to us Rises much more than these programs that we run because rise did
programs that we run because rise did
programs that we run because rise did not start like this
not start like this
not start like this Brice started a little bit more like
Brice started a little bit more like
Brice started a little bit more like this I was on my way to a public school
this I was on my way to a public school
this I was on my way to a public school somewhere in Panama with an educational
somewhere in Panama with an educational
somewhere in Panama with an educational curriculum I had to sign with my friends
curriculum I had to sign with my friends
curriculum I had to sign with my friends I was about to pitch him the idea to the
I was about to pitch him the idea to the
I was about to pitch him the idea to the principal of the school and I was
principal of the school and I was
principal of the school and I was confident that she welcomed my proposal
confident that she welcomed my proposal
confident that she welcomed my proposal hello nice to meet you my name is
hello nice to meet you my name is
hello nice to meet you my name is Veronica we spoke on the phone the other
Veronica we spoke on the phone the other
Veronica we spoke on the phone the other day about my organization rice yeah here
day about my organization rice yeah here
day about my organization rice yeah here I brought up okay and out like with all
I brought up okay and out like with all
I brought up okay and out like with all the courses will willing to offer we can
the courses will willing to offer we can
the courses will willing to offer we can look over them if you want who would be
look over them if you want who would be
look over them if you want who would be teaching these classes we would we have
teaching these classes we would we have
teaching these classes we would we have a club of teacher we are in charge of
a club of teacher we are in charge of
a club of teacher we are in charge of the program how old are you we’re all 16
the program how old are you we’re all 16
the program how old are you we’re all 16 oh yeah well we’ll call you back okay
oh yeah well we’ll call you back okay
oh yeah well we’ll call you back okay okay thank you this was sometimes the
okay thank you this was sometimes the
okay thank you this was sometimes the reaction we received in multiple public
reaction we received in multiple public
reaction we received in multiple public schools around Panama where we were
schools around Panama where we were
schools around Panama where we were ready to launch our program rice kids
ready to launch our program rice kids
ready to launch our program rice kids sometimes when adults see us and they
sometimes when adults see us and they
sometimes when adults see us and they know our age they think about all the
know our age they think about all the
know our age they think about all the things we can’t do 16 years old can vote
things we can’t do 16 years old can vote
things we can’t do 16 years old can vote can’t drive past 9:00 p.m. and don’t
can’t drive past 9:00 p.m. and don’t
can’t drive past 9:00 p.m. and don’t even have fully developed frontal lobes
even have fully developed frontal lobes
even have fully developed frontal lobes with all these preconceived ideas of
with all these preconceived ideas of
with all these preconceived ideas of what we couldn’t do it was impossible
what we couldn’t do it was impossible
what we couldn’t do it was impossible for adults to see us as potential
for adults to see us as potential
for adults to see us as potential part-time teachers our vision was to
part-time teachers our vision was to
part-time teachers our vision was to launch a program where we could teach
launch a program where we could teach
launch a program where we could teach classes to younger kids a values class
classes to younger kids a values class
classes to younger kids a values class and an English class but before we could
and an English class but before we could
and an English class but before we could turn our vision into a reality
turn our vision into a reality
turn our vision into a reality we had to sell it to the public school
we had to sell it to the public school
we had to sell it to the public school principals we were young girls who were
principals we were young girls who were
principals we were young girls who were trying to teach even younger boys and
trying to teach even younger boys and
trying to teach even younger boys and girls but we had the idea and the
girls but we had the idea and the
girls but we had the idea and the determination to start we simply needed
determination to start we simply needed
determination to start we simply needed more people to believe that we could
more people to believe that we could
more people to believe that we could after a lot of rejection from
after a lot of rejection from
after a lot of rejection from we finally found someone that believed
we finally found someone that believed
we finally found someone that believed in us and we started teaching classes at
in us and we started teaching classes at
in us and we started teaching classes at instituto nacional de la merced in
instituto nacional de la merced in
instituto nacional de la merced in interview
interview
interview becoming full-time students and
becoming full-time students and
becoming full-time students and part-time teachers at the same time did
part-time teachers at the same time did
part-time teachers at the same time did not come easy to us
not come easy to us
not come easy to us our success story it was not spontaneous
our success story it was not spontaneous
our success story it was not spontaneous or in mediate in fact our success story
or in mediate in fact our success story
or in mediate in fact our success story has a series of challenges trailing
has a series of challenges trailing
has a series of challenges trailing behind before we became teachers we had
behind before we became teachers we had
behind before we became teachers we had to learn how to become effective
to learn how to become effective
to learn how to become effective entrepreneurs and even before that we
entrepreneurs and even before that we
entrepreneurs and even before that we had to learn how to become effective
had to learn how to become effective
had to learn how to become effective leaders getting to where we are has been
leaders getting to where we are has been
leaders getting to where we are has been the longest journey of our very short
the longest journey of our very short
the longest journey of our very short lives and today we’re here because we
lives and today we’re here because we
lives and today we’re here because we want to share with all of you the three
want to share with all of you the three
want to share with all of you the three lessons that we’ve learned on our road
lessons that we’ve learned on our road
lessons that we’ve learned on our road to becoming leaders entrepreneurs and
to becoming leaders entrepreneurs and
to becoming leaders entrepreneurs and teachers at the age of 16 the first
teachers at the age of 16 the first
teachers at the age of 16 the first lesson we want to share with you tonight
lesson we want to share with you tonight
lesson we want to share with you tonight is that abstract ideas can become
is that abstract ideas can become
is that abstract ideas can become concrete every day of the week we face
concrete every day of the week we face
concrete every day of the week we face small challenges technical difficulties
small challenges technical difficulties
small challenges technical difficulties regarding our programs a normal Tuesday
regarding our programs a normal Tuesday
regarding our programs a normal Tuesday night for us will go a little like this
night for us will go a little like this
night for us will go a little like this hello
hello
hello nutty hello we have a huge problem what
nutty hello we have a huge problem what
nutty hello we have a huge problem what the bus driver virtually you’re just
the bus driver virtually you’re just
the bus driver virtually you’re just cancelled and I don’t know what to do
cancelled and I don’t know what to do
cancelled and I don’t know what to do okay okay okay let’s calm down we got
okay okay okay let’s calm down we got
okay okay okay let’s calm down we got this okay
this okay
this okay oh god okay you post on the Facebook
oh god okay you post on the Facebook
oh god okay you post on the Facebook group see if anybody has any bus driver
group see if anybody has any bus driver
group see if anybody has any bus driver contact and I’ll try to look for
contact and I’ll try to look for
contact and I’ll try to look for something too okay okay thank you thank
something too okay okay thank you thank
something too okay okay thank you thank you I’ll call you back I’m panicking
you I’ll call you back I’m panicking
you I’ll call you back I’m panicking okay bye
okay bye
okay bye okay okay as you can see our problems
okay okay as you can see our problems
okay okay as you can see our problems now are much more concrete than they
now are much more concrete than they
now are much more concrete than they were before because before our problems
were before because before our problems
were before because before our problems went a little more like this nutty I
went a little more like this nutty I
went a little more like this nutty I can’t stop thinking about the girl
can’t stop thinking about the girl
can’t stop thinking about the girl effect video we saw yesterday
effect video we saw yesterday
effect video we saw yesterday hey I’ve been replaying it ever since
hey I’ve been replaying it ever since
hey I’ve been replaying it ever since you said it’s me okay you know what I
you said it’s me okay you know what I
you said it’s me okay you know what I think this might be a little crazy but I
think this might be a little crazy but I
think this might be a little crazy but I think we should start something here in
think we should start something here in
think we should start something here in Panama what if we start with a club at
Panama what if we start with a club at
Panama what if we start with a club at school yeah but no one has started
school yeah but no one has started
school yeah but no one has started across the school what how did that work
across the school what how did that work
across the school what how did that work you know what you have an idea and a
you know what you have an idea and a
you know what you have an idea and a million questions come to mind this is
million questions come to mind this is
million questions come to mind this is exactly how we felt it was also a
exactly how we felt it was also a
exactly how we felt it was also a problem because we were facing changes
problem because we were facing changes
problem because we were facing changes for the first time like talking to the
for the first time like talking to the
for the first time like talking to the out theories of our community leading
out theories of our community leading
out theories of our community leading meetings or even approaching someone
meetings or even approaching someone
meetings or even approaching someone there was older than us it was also hard
there was older than us it was also hard
there was older than us it was also hard because as human beings were obsessed
because as human beings were obsessed
because as human beings were obsessed with the physicality of the world we
with the physicality of the world we
with the physicality of the world we like problem-solving when there when
like problem-solving when there when
like problem-solving when there when there are as easy as making a phone call
there are as easy as making a phone call
there are as easy as making a phone call or sending a ticket
or sending a ticket
or sending a ticket for a fundraiser for this reason when we
for a fundraiser for this reason when we
for a fundraiser for this reason when we are faced with problems that seem bigger
are faced with problems that seem bigger
are faced with problems that seem bigger than ourselves we tend to wait we tend
than ourselves we tend to wait we tend
than ourselves we tend to wait we tend to back away from them
to back away from them
to back away from them we know how hard it is to face questions
we know how hard it is to face questions
we know how hard it is to face questions like what are we doing or what’s your
like what are we doing or what’s your
like what are we doing or what’s your next step be and sometimes we might be
next step be and sometimes we might be
next step be and sometimes we might be left with that thought that maybe we
left with that thought that maybe we
left with that thought that maybe we shouldn’t do this at all or this is just
shouldn’t do this at all or this is just
shouldn’t do this at all or this is just too complicated for us but despite the
too complicated for us but despite the
too complicated for us but despite the presence of doubt if you have an idea
presence of doubt if you have an idea
presence of doubt if you have an idea and you believe in it there’s only one
and you believe in it there’s only one
and you believe in it there’s only one important step you have to do start
important step you have to do start
important step you have to do start before everybody starts panicking
before everybody starts panicking
before everybody starts panicking we know starting is hard but we also
we know starting is hard but we also
we know starting is hard but we also know how easy it becomes once you do
know how easy it becomes once you do
know how easy it becomes once you do starting does not necessarily mean you
starting does not necessarily mean you
starting does not necessarily mean you have your logo three fundraisers and
have your logo three fundraisers and
have your logo three fundraisers and everything plan know starting can be as
everything plan know starting can be as
everything plan know starting can be as simple as finding an inspiring video and
simple as finding an inspiring video and
simple as finding an inspiring video and sharing it with the people around you
sharing it with the people around you
sharing it with the people around you starting is basically taking your big
starting is basically taking your big
starting is basically taking your big problem and solving a tiny fraction of
problem and solving a tiny fraction of
problem and solving a tiny fraction of it there is a common concept in
it there is a common concept in
it there is a common concept in entrepreneurship labeled Minimum Viable
entrepreneurship labeled Minimum Viable
entrepreneurship labeled Minimum Viable products I know this term sounds
products I know this term sounds
products I know this term sounds complicated but still easy to understand
complicated but still easy to understand
complicated but still easy to understand this basically is an analogy that
this basically is an analogy that
this basically is an analogy that compares your project’s final vision to
compares your project’s final vision to
compares your project’s final vision to the construction of a car although you
the construction of a car although you
the construction of a car although you eventually want to end up constructing a
eventually want to end up constructing a
eventually want to end up constructing a Ferrari you might as well start small
Ferrari you might as well start small
Ferrari you might as well start small for example a scooters because no matter
for example a scooters because no matter
for example a scooters because no matter how small or slow or primitive the
how small or slow or primitive the
how small or slow or primitive the scooter is it is still a mode of
scooter is it is still a mode of
scooter is it is still a mode of transportation and it will still allow
transportation and it will still allow
transportation and it will still allow you to get to places as you reach your
you to get to places as you reach your
you to get to places as you reach your ideal of constructing a car on the other
ideal of constructing a car on the other
ideal of constructing a car on the other hand if you start with a Ferrari right
hand if you start with a Ferrari right
hand if you start with a Ferrari right away you’re gonna end up with one tire
away you’re gonna end up with one tire
away you’re gonna end up with one tire or one engine only which are items that
or one engine only which are items that
or one engine only which are items that need the assistance of other items in
need the assistance of other items in
need the assistance of other items in order for them to be useful many times
order for them to be useful many times
order for them to be useful many times durability with rice we struggle with
durability with rice we struggle with
durability with rice we struggle with the idea of starting simply because we
the idea of starting simply because we
the idea of starting simply because we wanted to start with our Ferrari we
wanted to start with our Ferrari we
wanted to start with our Ferrari we envision what a rice kit would look like
envision what a rice kit would look like
envision what a rice kit would look like every day of our lives would be a kid
every day of our lives would be a kid
every day of our lives would be a kid with his rice backpack his rice shirt
with his rice backpack his rice shirt
with his rice backpack his rice shirt his writes notebook his pencil case and
his writes notebook his pencil case and
his writes notebook his pencil case and an undeniable desire to learn the
an undeniable desire to learn the
an undeniable desire to learn the problem was we didn’t have backpacks we
problem was we didn’t have backpacks we
problem was we didn’t have backpacks we didn’t have no books we didn’t have
didn’t have no books we didn’t have
didn’t have no books we didn’t have shirts but most importantly we didn’t
shirts but most importantly we didn’t
shirts but most importantly we didn’t have kids to turn into rice kids so what
have kids to turn into rice kids so what
have kids to turn into rice kids so what do we do we decided to start small for
do we do we decided to start small for
do we do we decided to start small for us a minute opening pilot classes in a
us a minute opening pilot classes in a
us a minute opening pilot classes in a public school here in Panama
public school here in Panama
public school here in Panama you it can mean a variety of things
you it can mean a variety of things
you it can mean a variety of things opportunities are never limited and
opportunities are never limited and
opportunities are never limited and there’s always someone that is willing
there’s always someone that is willing
there’s always someone that is willing to help but most importantly there’s
to help but most importantly there’s
to help but most importantly there’s always someone that needs help you
always someone that needs help you
always someone that needs help you should always ask yourself questions
should always ask yourself questions
should always ask yourself questions like what do I need to accomplish or why
like what do I need to accomplish or why
like what do I need to accomplish or why do I need to accomplish this but you
do I need to accomplish this but you
do I need to accomplish this but you should never ask yourself questions like
should never ask yourself questions like
should never ask yourself questions like am I the one that needs to get started
am I the one that needs to get started
am I the one that needs to get started because the answer is always yes the
because the answer is always yes the
because the answer is always yes the second lesson we want to share with you
second lesson we want to share with you
second lesson we want to share with you is that the team is more important than
is that the team is more important than
is that the team is more important than the idea because both teams and ideas
the idea because both teams and ideas
the idea because both teams and ideas change constantly this is the hardest
change constantly this is the hardest
change constantly this is the hardest lesson to keep in mind but it’s also
lesson to keep in mind but it’s also
lesson to keep in mind but it’s also essential the first fact you need to
essential the first fact you need to
essential the first fact you need to know once you become an entrepreneur is
know once you become an entrepreneur is
know once you become an entrepreneur is that it is okay to change your idea and
that it is okay to change your idea and
that it is okay to change your idea and almost always you’ll change your idea at
almost always you’ll change your idea at
almost always you’ll change your idea at least once and I know changes are scary
least once and I know changes are scary
least once and I know changes are scary especially when they evolve something
especially when they evolve something
especially when they evolve something you really care about something you
you really care about something you
you really care about something you wanna see succeed as young leaders we
wanna see succeed as young leaders we
wanna see succeed as young leaders we had nothing to fall back on we are no
had nothing to fall back on we are no
had nothing to fall back on we are no safety torturers we had a plan B luckily
safety torturers we had a plan B luckily
safety torturers we had a plan B luckily we had a strong team and we faced
we had a strong team and we faced
we had a strong team and we faced questions and all these times we didn’t
questions and all these times we didn’t
questions and all these times we didn’t know how to answer the questions we
know how to answer the questions we
know how to answer the questions we stick together as a team one leader can
stick together as a team one leader can
stick together as a team one leader can truly start a spark a domino effect but
truly start a spark a domino effect but
truly start a spark a domino effect but a group of leaders can truly start a
a group of leaders can truly start a
a group of leaders can truly start a revolution working together was dosed
revolution working together was dosed
revolution working together was dosed with those that share your same passion
with those that share your same passion
with those that share your same passion is rewarding and you will contribute to
is rewarding and you will contribute to
is rewarding and you will contribute to the effectiveness of your project but
the effectiveness of your project but
the effectiveness of your project but this team needs to be as cohesive as
this team needs to be as cohesive as
this team needs to be as cohesive as possible and how do you achieve this
possible and how do you achieve this
possible and how do you achieve this cohesiveness with two important
cohesiveness with two important
cohesiveness with two important components communication and patience
components communication and patience
components communication and patience let’s start with communication
let’s start with communication
let’s start with communication communicating with your team is
communicating with your team is
communicating with your team is important because you need to know your
important because you need to know your
important because you need to know your team in order for it to be effective as
team in order for it to be effective as
team in order for it to be effective as the word indicates the team is composed
the word indicates the team is composed
the word indicates the team is composed of many individuals and we found out
of many individuals and we found out
of many individuals and we found out that no two individuals are alike
that no two individuals are alike
that no two individuals are alike everybody has a different personality
everybody has a different personality
everybody has a different personality and thus everybody deserves a different
and thus everybody deserves a different
and thus everybody deserves a different approach even the tone and the wording
approach even the tone and the wording
approach even the tone and the wording of your directions as the leader needs
of your directions as the leader needs
of your directions as the leader needs to vary and understanding what works
to vary and understanding what works
to vary and understanding what works with each member will allow your team to
with each member will allow your team to
with each member will allow your team to be effective communicating is important
be effective communicating is important
be effective communicating is important and it must be done frequently if it
and it must be done frequently if it
and it must be done frequently if it takes weekly to do this via Skype email
takes weekly to do this via Skype email
takes weekly to do this via Skype email Facebook whatever you want do it as long
Facebook whatever you want do it as long
Facebook whatever you want do it as long as you take the time to know your team
as you take the time to know your team
as you take the time to know your team your team will take the time to work
your team will take the time to work
your team will take the time to work through all the changes that your
through all the changes that your
through all the changes that your organization
organization
organization and now patience we know that sometimes
and now patience we know that sometimes
and now patience we know that sometimes your group seems to be in absolute chaos
your group seems to be in absolute chaos
your group seems to be in absolute chaos but please never give up on any of the
but please never give up on any of the
but please never give up on any of the members they’re there because they truly
members they’re there because they truly
members they’re there because they truly care about the organization and any
care about the organization and any
care about the organization and any challenges that you confront you need to
challenges that you confront you need to
challenges that you confront you need to face them right away the patient for
face them right away the patient for
face them right away the patient for results but stand by your team at all
results but stand by your team at all
results but stand by your team at all times because not everybody works at the
times because not everybody works at the
times because not everybody works at the same pace and not everybody works the
same pace and not everybody works the
same pace and not everybody works the same way but everybody is working
same way but everybody is working
same way but everybody is working towards the same goal and that’s what
towards the same goal and that’s what
towards the same goal and that’s what matters the third and last lesson we
matters the third and last lesson we
matters the third and last lesson we want to share is that passion will keep
want to share is that passion will keep
want to share is that passion will keep you going all the other lessons are
you going all the other lessons are
you going all the other lessons are really important but this one is truly
really important but this one is truly
really important but this one is truly the reason why we’re standing here in
the reason why we’re standing here in
the reason why we’re standing here in front of you today
front of you today
front of you today Torino the definition of passion would
Torino the definition of passion would
Torino the definition of passion would be wrong because passion is different
be wrong because passion is different
be wrong because passion is different for every single one of us here today
for every single one of us here today
for every single one of us here today and even to us both we’re members of the
and even to us both we’re members of the
and even to us both we’re members of the same organization passion passion taste
same organization passion passion taste
same organization passion passion taste from very different forms to me passion
from very different forms to me passion
from very different forms to me passion is Drive passion is feeling overwhelmed
is Drive passion is feeling overwhelmed
is Drive passion is feeling overwhelmed because I have too many ideas in my head
because I have too many ideas in my head
because I have too many ideas in my head passion is constantly searching best
passion is constantly searching best
passion is constantly searching best fundraising activities or look into it
fundraising activities or look into it
fundraising activities or look into it for ways to improve your project all the
for ways to improve your project all the
for ways to improve your project all the time passion is what makes hard work
time passion is what makes hard work
time passion is what makes hard work seemed easy and to me passion is having
seemed easy and to me passion is having
seemed easy and to me passion is having a headache after a long day but still
a headache after a long day but still
a headache after a long day but still running up the five flights of stairs to
running up the five flights of stairs to
running up the five flights of stairs to get to room six in and to real passion
get to room six in and to real passion
get to room six in and to real passion is 1:00 a.m. Skype calls trying to get
is 1:00 a.m. Skype calls trying to get
is 1:00 a.m. Skype calls trying to get the lesson plan ready passion is mom I
the lesson plan ready passion is mom I
the lesson plan ready passion is mom I can’t go out I need to finish my rice
can’t go out I need to finish my rice
can’t go out I need to finish my rice curriculum or I’ll eat lunch later agree
curriculum or I’ll eat lunch later agree
curriculum or I’ll eat lunch later agree we have to get to this meeting passion
we have to get to this meeting passion
we have to get to this meeting passion comes in small moments it is not defined
comes in small moments it is not defined
comes in small moments it is not defined by grandiose moments that are clear
by grandiose moments that are clear
by grandiose moments that are clear thank yous for everything you do
thank yous for everything you do
thank yous for everything you do on the contrary passion comes in moments
on the contrary passion comes in moments
on the contrary passion comes in moments that perhaps only lasts a couple of
that perhaps only lasts a couple of
that perhaps only lasts a couple of seconds one day I was in class starting
seconds one day I was in class starting
seconds one day I was in class starting a lesson
a lesson
a lesson when all of a sudden Alexandra the class
when all of a sudden Alexandra the class
when all of a sudden Alexandra the class clown jumped out of a chair and started
clown jumped out of a chair and started
clown jumped out of a chair and started making jokes when this usually happens
making jokes when this usually happens
making jokes when this usually happens it takes about five minutes for me to
it takes about five minutes for me to
it takes about five minutes for me to calm them down and continue but this
calm them down and continue but this
calm them down and continue but this time it was a little different out of
time it was a little different out of
time it was a little different out of the corner of my eye I saw Hennessey’s
the corner of my eye I saw Hennessey’s
the corner of my eye I saw Hennessey’s raise her hand
raise her hand
raise her hand soon after even a Carlos and all the
soon after even a Carlos and all the
soon after even a Carlos and all the others followed in less than a minute
others followed in less than a minute
others followed in less than a minute the class was completely quiet and even
the class was completely quiet and even
the class was completely quiet and even Alessandra sat back down I had showed
Alessandra sat back down I had showed
Alessandra sat back down I had showed him this method of bringing it back
him this method of bringing it back
him this method of bringing it back during our first
during our first
during our first a school and now seeing them applied
a school and now seeing them applied
a school and now seeing them applied without me having to lead it came with a
without me having to lead it came with a
without me having to lead it came with a satisfaction I cannot explain a couple
satisfaction I cannot explain a couple
satisfaction I cannot explain a couple of weeks ago as I was teaching my sixth
of weeks ago as I was teaching my sixth
of weeks ago as I was teaching my sixth grade English classes we were going over
grade English classes we were going over
grade English classes we were going over an activity to review what we had
an activity to review what we had
an activity to review what we had learned during the week which was
learned during the week which was
learned during the week which was feeling so the activity went something
feeling so the activity went something
feeling so the activity went something like this I would say sad they have to
like this I would say sad they have to
like this I would say sad they have to act sad or angry excited and they would
act sad or angry excited and they would
act sad or angry excited and they would do that but what happens is it that day
do that but what happens is it that day
do that but what happens is it that day they had misbehaved in the moment I
they had misbehaved in the moment I
they had misbehaved in the moment I walked into the door they were screaming
walked into the door they were screaming
walked into the door they were screaming they were laughing they were yelling
they were laughing they were yelling
they were laughing they were yelling they were not listening to me and I was
they were not listening to me and I was
they were not listening to me and I was exhausted when I read out the word loved
exhausted when I read out the word loved
exhausted when I read out the word loved I expected all my students to smile or
I expected all my students to smile or
I expected all my students to smile or signaled hearts with their hand or
signaled hearts with their hand or
signaled hearts with their hand or something but instead they all started
something but instead they all started
something but instead they all started to stand up one by one and they ran
to stand up one by one and they ran
to stand up one by one and they ran towards me and they buried me in a
towards me and they buried me in a
towards me and they buried me in a massive hug if I sit there with 25
massive hug if I sit there with 25
massive hug if I sit there with 25 children surrounding me and hugging me
children surrounding me and hugging me
children surrounding me and hugging me it seemed like everything that had
it seemed like everything that had
it seemed like everything that had happened that day them screaming
happened that day them screaming
happened that day them screaming laughing not paying attention to me that
laughing not paying attention to me that
laughing not paying attention to me that didn’t matter and I realized that I
didn’t matter and I realized that I
didn’t matter and I realized that I could never be mad at my students
could never be mad at my students
could never be mad at my students experiencing moments like this is what
experiencing moments like this is what
experiencing moments like this is what makes us value what we do every day of
makes us value what we do every day of
makes us value what we do every day of our lives as you can see it takes one
our lives as you can see it takes one
our lives as you can see it takes one kid one smile one hug or head raise
kid one smile one hug or head raise
kid one smile one hug or head raise hands to energize it to keep going they
hands to energize it to keep going they
hands to energize it to keep going they keep fighting for what we want envision
keep fighting for what we want envision
keep fighting for what we want envision abstractly but to never give up despite
abstractly but to never give up despite
abstractly but to never give up despite the many struggles that were forced to
the many struggles that were forced to
the many struggles that were forced to face on a daily basis becoming teachers
face on a daily basis becoming teachers
face on a daily basis becoming teachers entrepreneurs and leaders has been our
entrepreneurs and leaders has been our
entrepreneurs and leaders has been our greatest accomplishment in our 18 years
greatest accomplishment in our 18 years
greatest accomplishment in our 18 years of life we started out as 16 years old
of life we started out as 16 years old
of life we started out as 16 years old who were disregarded for being too young
who were disregarded for being too young
who were disregarded for being too young who had no idea what a curriculum looked
who had no idea what a curriculum looked
who had no idea what a curriculum looked like and who thought their ideas were
like and who thought their ideas were
like and who thought their ideas were too big and those too impossible now we
too big and those too impossible now we
too big and those too impossible now we have taught others that age is just a
have taught others that age is just a
have taught others that age is just a number we can design curriculums under
number we can design curriculums under
number we can design curriculums under two hours and our most successful
two hours and our most successful
two hours and our most successful project started out as bold and abstract
project started out as bold and abstract
project started out as bold and abstract ideas this process has also helped us
ideas this process has also helped us
ideas this process has also helped us become better human beings because with
become better human beings because with
become better human beings because with every lesson we teach on the value of
every lesson we teach on the value of
every lesson we teach on the value of respect we learn to respect those around
respect we learn to respect those around
respect we learn to respect those around us and with every lesson we teach on the
us and with every lesson we teach on the
us and with every lesson we teach on the importance of education we learn to
importance of education we learn to
importance of education we learn to appreciate what we have it is important
appreciate what we have it is important
appreciate what we have it is important that you remember that passion can be
that you remember that passion can be
that you remember that passion can be found at a young age and despite stigmas
found at a young age and despite stigmas
found at a young age and despite stigmas like you are too young to find what you
like you are too young to find what you
like you are too young to find what you love or this is just a phase
love or this is just a phase
love or this is just a phase it’s never too early to start so find
it’s never too early to start so find
it’s never too early to start so find what you love and you will find your
what you love and you will find your
what you love and you will find your purpose find what others need and use
purpose find what others need and use
purpose find what others need and use your passion to assist those who need it
your passion to assist those who need it
your passion to assist those who need it start small and be patient but be
start small and be patient but be
start small and be patient but be resilient and always remember that what
resilient and always remember that what
resilient and always remember that what keeps you going is your passion we don’t
keeps you going is your passion we don’t
keeps you going is your passion we don’t want anybody in this crowd to ever feel
want anybody in this crowd to ever feel
want anybody in this crowd to ever feel insignificant because of their age
insignificant because of their age
insignificant because of their age on the contrary assert your own
on the contrary assert your own
on the contrary assert your own authority and show others that you
authority and show others that you
authority and show others that you should be valued by your work your ideas
should be valued by your work your ideas
should be valued by your work your ideas and your will to make them happen not by
and your will to make them happen not by
and your will to make them happen not by the year you were born in or by the
the year you were born in or by the
the year you were born in or by the grade you are currently in so start now
grade you are currently in so start now
grade you are currently in so start now and never ever underestimate the power
and never ever underestimate the power
and never ever underestimate the power that we as young emerging leaders have
that we as young emerging leaders have
that we as young emerging leaders have and if at times those around you start
and if at times those around you start
and if at times those around you start to doubt your potential to change the
to doubt your potential to change the
to doubt your potential to change the world we want all of you to ask them the
world we want all of you to ask them the
world we want all of you to ask them the following question how can we the youth
following question how can we the youth
following question how can we the youth of today and the adults of tomorrow
of today and the adults of tomorrow
of today and the adults of tomorrow create an effective future if we don’t
create an effective future if we don’t
create an effective future if we don’t have a voice in the present thank you
have a voice in the present thank you
have a voice in the present thank you [Applause]
”
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