REFLECTIONS Graduation Speaker 2023

Sofia Babool ‘14

Imagine your palms sweating, sweat dripping down your forehead profusely as you stand up to spell the word “turban” in front of the entire school - “T-U-R-B-A-N”; that was the word that I eventually spelled to win the seventh grade spelling bee in 2013, and I remember it like yesterday. Moments like that made up my Good Shepherd experience. Although they were filled with moments of fear to give a presentation or shoot a 3-pointer on the basketball team, my time at GSES will forever and always be cherished to my core.

To all here today: faculty, staff, eighth grade graduates, friends and family! Thank you for being here on this most exciting occasion to celebrate the graduates for the Class of 2023. As an alumni from the Class of 2014, my most memorable educational experience took place within the walls of this school. Whether it was giving speeches in Mr. Burgess’ class or on the court with Ms. Paroo for basketball, Good Shepherd taught me some of the most important lessons that I still use to this day.

me tell you a bit about my life. After graduation from GSES, I went to Greenhill School followed by the University of Texas at Dallas on a full scholarship.

During my time there, I majored in neuroscience and eventually was admitted into medical school. During my senior year, however, I decided to begin a startup called Bright Owl, a K-12 ed-tech platform that would enable struggling students to connect with college mentors for academic and personal mentorship. Today, this company accesses students from Canada, Tajikistan, Singapore, and of course, the United States. So here’s my first lesson:

...beopentochange.Letyourinterests change,grow,andevolve.Oftentimes,inthe leastlikelyways,wefallintounexpectedsituations,developuniqueinterests,andcatch thewrongtrain;buthere’sthecoolestpart ofitall-thosechangesinyourjourneyare probablytakingyouexactlywhereyouare meant to go.

I started off wanting to be nothing but a doctor, but today, I’m going to medical school and will continue fueling my interest in entrepreneurship that seeks to change the way we respond to academic struggles and neurodivergence.

As your time at GSES comes to end, remember that this new chapter will bring just as many successes as it will challenges, but your attitude, your response to each of those moments matters more than anything. Viktor Frankl once said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” So, if I were to end with any piece of advice, it’s this:

...makechoicesthathelpyouriseabove challenge,makechoicesthattrulybringout yourbestself,andelicitgreatnessinothers asyoudevelopyourown.

As a student in Mr. Burgess’ speech class, I was afraid to give public talks or even raise my hand. After multiple conversations after school, I decided that I was going to try; after leaving GSES, I’ve given two TEDx talks, one of which was at Harvard University. I can unequivocally say that the nervousness behind my participation in the spelling bee, or during science competitions was simply an opportunity to bring out my best self and get uncomfortable.

Here’s another thing about me you have to know: I have a brother who is obsessed with Marvel. In the last scene of “Captain America: Civil War,” there’s an incredible quote that I think is important to mention as you walk into this next phase of your life:

“Compromisewhereyoucan.Whereyou can't,don't.Evenifeveryoneistellingyou thatsomethingwrongissomethingright. Evenifthewholeworldistellingyouto move,itisyourdutytoplantyourselflikea tree,lookthemintheeye,andsay,'No, youmove'.”

As you graduate, stand firm with the values and ethics you have learned here, at home and amongst your friends. Stand for compassion, stand for humility, and stand for whatever you believe is right. We all have the power to move this world toward greater kindness. Ultimately, it's what you choose to do with each day, each action, and each word that entirely makes the difference. With faith at your back and as a GSES graduate, there is nothing you cannot do.

Thank you!

Sofia Babool ‘14