Our generation was built on a mindset of change and the need to continuously move forward. In our short lifetime, we have already experienced some of the most traumatic events in history. Our first academic journey began with screams and explosions from our TV, an event we now know as 9/11. Instead of practicing fire drills in school, we practiced school lockdowns and how to prepare for an active shooter. In 2008 we watched our families struggle through the recession, and we are now graduating in the midst of a global pandemic ourselves. On top of that, we are battling some of the greatest social injustice issues in the world.

These atrocities and injustices have not made us weaker, however, but stronger. They have united us to create change for the future. Our generation addresses issues of hate and intolerance and amplifies the voices of marginalized people. Within our lifetime, we have been given access to technology platforms like social media that are changing the way we communicate as a world.

There has always been inequities in America, but we now have the platforms, tools and collective will to enact change and illuminate the struggles of others. Consequently, we have mobilized our technology skills to raise awareness for issues that affect our lives and shape our world.

Class of 2020, we are a generation of heroes. I encourage you to continue challenging yourself, to always seek more education, and to find diverse perspectives as you create positive change in the world. The world needs us, and with all eyes on us, it’s time to take our education, voice, passion and perseverence to do what we have always done best: move forward. 

Joanne Cheng earned her degree in biological sciences and is now pursuing a master's in college student personnel at the University of Tennessee Knoxville