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Student Speaker Address
Remarks by Reham Ali, 2009 Graduate
May 15, 2009
Thank you, President Di Pasquale. Governor Carcieri, retired Chief Justice Williams, members of the Board of Governors, state and local officials, my fellow members of the Class of 2009 and their families and friends, first of all, let me start by saying that I can’t believe that I’m standing right here, right now with you.
My story began three years ago when I came to the United States as a young girl with a big dream. I came here to make a difference, to have my own identity; I didn’t want to become anybody’s wife or mother, but I wanted to be an independent woman.
The road was never easy and I second guessed myself many times, but deep inside my heart I had faith that I would make it. I still remember when I first came to this country. I felt alone and scared in this new world where people speak a different language than me. At that time I didn’t have the courage to talk to people in English because I was so afraid from their reactions, but not anymore I don’t care about my accent. I’m very confident that today you don’t look at me in a negative way.
I made a decision to change my life to take a challenge and this why I decided to become a pharmacist. As a pharmacist I could help people and make my own identity. I decided to start my journey at CCRI; I thought that this was the perfect place to start. The classes are small where I can get the attention I needed, the students are very nice and so many of them have English as their second language like me, and the teachers, I can’t mention how great they were. They were not just my teachers, they were my friends and older brothers and sisters to me. I still remember the first year when I found the teachers asking me about any further help I needed, any questions, or information. Because of them and their help, I didn’t just pass my classes but I aced them.
I can’t thank enough this great institution, CCRI. It has helped me by all means, it prepared me for my next step right now where I’m accepted at URI as transfer student for a new major called pharmaceutical engineering. I’m going there now where I’m more confident of myself. I believe that, yes, I can make it. If I could make it, then all of you could.
I just want to say to never give up on your dream. I was supposed to come to the United States when I was 6 years old, but I couldn’t come until I was 20. I came here as a young girl right away from high school with her broken English, but with determination and faith that, yes, I would make my dream come true. With the help and support I got from my family friends and great teachers at CCRI, I could finally finish the first chapter and move on to the next.
Finally, you have to be very proud of what you have achieved so far, whether you are transferring to a four-year college or moving to the labor force, because this great institution has prepared for what comes next. Thank you.
