One of our former students, who's now a student at California State University Long Beach, gave a wonderful speech at our VH Scholarship Fund Awards ceremony last week. He graciously agreed to share his words here on the blog, so enjoy reading of his experiences and advice for our graduating seniors!
Think Big, Be Bold
By Anthony Vasquez
June 2, 2009
To my fellow students, parents, family members, friends, teachers, administrators and other distinguished guests: It is truly an honor to be this year’s guest speaker. I would like to thank everybody responsible for this opportunity to speak to you all today. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients, I am sure all of you have worked hard to get to where you are today and cannot wait for high school to be over and done with. But of course high school is as much the end of one chapter in our lives as it is the beginning of a new one, and that is what I will talk to you all about today, what I have learned over these past four years about having a productive and enjoyable time in college, both inside and outside of the classroom.
I was born with glaucoma and can see a little bit out of my right eye. I get around using a cane and throughout school I read Braille books and used the Perkins Brailler, note takers like the Braille Lite and Braille Note and computers with JAWS to help me do my assignments. All along I had the help of my resource teachers and family. At around this time four years ago, I was in a similar position as you are today. I knew where I was going to college, what my major would be, and that I would get help with getting books in an electronic file to read on my computer. I am now a senior at Cal-State Long Beach. Having been in college for four years, I am a little wiser about the world and a whole lot more confident about myself. And I think that is the key to long term success in anything, be it writing a research paper, studying abroad, competing in sports, you name it. It all starts with how we view ourselves. Self-perception will play a very important role in the outcome of whatever it is you set your hearts on, that is for sure. We may be blind, but we are not helpless. Let’s always remember that.
The first thing I have learned that you need to do to really enjoy yourself and get the most out of life is to think big and think critically. Here’s what I mean. When I first started college I already had picked a major. I had worked for the school paper at my high school (Narbonne), and really liked interviewing people and learning new things about the school. So I picked journalism. I could learn about the world and teach others at the same time. But to me that didn’t seem enough, I also wanted to learn a foreign language. I thought that not only would it be a fun thing to know another language besides my native Spanish and English, but it could come in handy when applying for a job; it would be another skill I could have and another way to meet people and make new friends. So I was wondering which language to pick and I was thinking “what’s a foreign language that’s not too commonly studied?” It seemed to me most people who took foreign language courses studied Spanish, French, German, so I thought about an Asian language. Arabic? Japanese? Chinese? I decided to stick with Mandarin Chinese because I knew of the growing influence of China in the world, lots of people speak the language, and heard it was really hard to learn. Why not challenge myself in college? It would be the best time to try and learn it. I have been studying Mandarin for three years now and have had a great time. Language study then led to the study of Chinese history and culture and it led to my chances of study abroad in China last year, first for two weeks in January of 2008 and then for two months last summer.
Second, be determined. I wanted to see other parts of the world, to meet people from far away lands in their country, I wanted to study abroad. But when I first started college, it seemed pretty difficult. Could I even pull it off? How would I do this? I was blind, after all. But it didn’t stop me. My first trip was with Dr. Scott Wilson, a Cal-State Long Beach professor I had for a Chinese culture class. Convincing my parents that I would be alright was pretty easy because I knew the professor already, but the second trip was part of a national program ran by the University of Arizona where everybody would just meet in the capital, Beijing, and move on from there. My parents and the program’s directors were really worried for my safety. How would I get around? Chinese traffic is different. China has lots of people. These were their concerns, some of them valid ones. I had a feeling that if I just changed my mind and decided not to go, everything would be all right. But here’s the thing about thinking critically. If I had quit, everything would not have been all right. I would have denied myself an opportunity to prove to myself that, with some help, I, as a blind student, could pursue the same opportunities as any other student. I would have denied myself the chance to experience a foreign country and learn from its people about self-reliance and independent decision-making, and not to forget, practice my Chinese. I never imagined I would climb mountains in China, but I did. I never thought I would have sat on top of a camel by the Great Wall of China, but I did. It’s the thrill of the unexpected that keeps me going. Uncovering the mysteries of the world and meeting new people motivates me to stay focused. Eventually after some time of persuasion by myself and David Sanfilippo, the director of Disabled Student Services at Long Beach, the director’s agreed to hire a Chinese college student to go places with me so I wouldn’t depend on classmates. And that was that. It took lots of planning to do this. Lots of convincing of staff members, of my parents, but it all worked out fine. I made friends in China and because of the experience, I am more confident in my own potential and feel more empowered.
When you come across a tricky situation, first tell yourself what it is you want to get done. Plan for as many possible outcomes, good ones and bad ones and pick what you think is best. Talk to those around you, keep them up to date with what you’re thinking, chances are more people collaborating on something will give you a better idea as to what you should do. Asking for help does not mean you are giving up, it simply means you know where somebody could make things easier for you. But once you feel confident in doing something, it is ok to tell people that you don’t need help for that anymore. It isn’t rude. What you shouldn’t do is give up because of fear. “What if you get kidnapped?” one of my brothers asked about going to China, well I thought I suppose that could happen, but it’s pretty unlikely. I trusted myself. Remember to trust yourself. Imagine that you have already gone through the struggle and have succeeded.
In college, you will find out that people are more accepting. If you had a tough time in school with bullying, getting picked on that kind of stuff, just forget about it, you’re out of there and a whole new thing is beginning for you. Get involved. You probably heard this from your teachers or family, join clubs. That kind of stuff does matter. Just as grades and academic achievement is good, so is being involved in extracurricular activities. Whatever you do after college, graduate school and employers look for that. It’s about being well-rounded. It’s about making connections. Being part of a group helps. Be unafraid in new places, all of our friends now were once strangers before we met them, remember that. And definitely don’t be afraid to approach professors about your disability. Let them know as soon as you can, even before the term begins if possible. This way you can introduce yourself to them and at the same time find out how the class will be like. Get the names of the books you will use so that you can get them in an electronic file. Most schools have the resources to do this now, they’re supposed to anyway. Be bold! Say hi to a random person, you never know what will happen. If he or she doesn’t say hi back, at least you tried.
Be resilient. You will come across unfriendly people, that’s for sure. Do not give up because of a bad experience. The world is a crazy, but interesting place; you only live once, so enjoy it. Pick a worthwhile goal and seek it with all you got. Make sure that you love what you are studying; otherwise there is no point. If you don’t have one already, find a role model to look up to, a mentor. Surround yourself with positive people, family, friends, whoever gives you strength and motivation to move forward, keep them close, if not physically then communicate with them often.
A peaceful life depends on balance and moderation. You cannot have work without play, if you do, you will not enjoy what you do. For me, playing basketball, reading books, studying Braille maps, listening to radio from far away places, eating good food, traveling, these are my pastimes. If you can do well at balancing your work and your play, and your sleep, then you’ll be all right. Find a passion and pursue it. Eric Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Mt. Everest wrote in his book Touch the Top of the World: “I don't climb mountains to prove to anyone that blind people can do this or that. I climb for the same reason an artist paints a picture: because it brings me great joy.”
Before I finish, I have one more thing. With your increased freedom comes greater responsibility. One of these will be to manage money. Right now is a great time to begin learning about budgeting, about the cost of things, because you will not live at home forever. One day you will be part of the big world and will need to know how to open a bank account, find an apartment, get and maintain good credit and that’s just the beginning. Ask your parents about money, read books about it, read and listen to the news, be aware. Whatever goal you have, keep in mind the economics of things. For starters read Rich Dad, Poor Dad, it’s available on tape.
I’m sure that your talents will help you in the future, just keep in mind that being critical about the world around you is important, but stay positive. More often than not, people are good and there will always be someone out there to help you out. Just remember to speak up for yourselves and be noticed. Have confidence in your abilities and improve on your weaknesses. That way you may help others around you better.
There will be times when you feel down. That is natural. Just remember that the glass is half full and that there are more things that you can do than that you can’t do. Helen Keller once said: “I am only one, but still I am one. I can not do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” Without a doubt, knowledge is power. Be yourselves and don’t hold back in pursuing your dreams. Do like that T.I. and Rihanna song and: Just live your life. Trust me, there really is no telling where it’ll take you.
