To the seniors of my county, and others everywhere who might identify with what I will say.

I know that as your senior year began a few weeks ago, many were quick to offer words of advice. This advice was probably along the lines of “enjoy every minute because you’ll blink once and your senior year will be gone”, and today I wish to reiterate that point, because yes, it really does go by fast. Individual days or weeks might seem to drag on forever, but the months will fly by one after another faster than you think. However, in addition to emphasizing the frigidity of the moment, I wish to emphasize some pointers that are feel are necessary for you to hear (or in this case, read).

I encourage everyone to look past and break through whatever ceilings or limits others may have set for you or the ones that you have perhaps have set for yourself.

This can include everything from talking to people that you wouldn’t normally talk to, applying for colleges, jobs, and scholarships that you think are out of your reach, or daring to dream about a career that might not be typical for people of your background.

There will always be people who like to maintain the status quo, who like to main the existing social hierarchy and only want those who have historically done better than other groups to continue to do better.

Just because you come from a small rural area doesn’t mean that you can’t can aim for the things that typically kids from more developed cities and schools aim for. Just because you’re a person of color doesn’t mean that you can’t dream as big as or even bigger than those who aren’t.

Sometimes we don’t allow ourselves to admit that we have subconsciously embraced certain limitations, and stepping or reaching past them might feel unnecessary or unsafe. I think it’s important to be reminded once in a while that we don’t have to stick to the status quos or social hierarchies that tend to perpetuated.

Please, take chances and allow yourself to reach a little higher than you think you should.