Good Morning
First, I want to thank everybody for being here today — the teachers, staff, family, friends… and everybody who came to support us.
My name is Omar, and I’m from Newark, New Jersey.
And I’m not gonna lie… standing here right now feels unreal.
Because for a long time… I didn’t even think I would make it to this moment.
I was kept back in second grade.
And even as a kid, that feeling stuck with me — like I was already behind… like I was already losing.
But I still tried to find something to hold on to.
I played basketball. I played youth football.
And for a little while, those things made me feel like I belonged somewhere.
But around 13 years old, my life took a turn.
I started going to youth corrections.
And I wish I could stand here and tell you it was just one mistake… but it wasn’t.
From 13 all the way until about 26, I was in and out of the system.
And when you live like that… it’s hard to see a future.
It’s hard to believe in yourself.
It’s hard to even picture a life where you’re doing something positive.
And honestly… there were times I felt like I was just stuck.
Like no matter what I did, my past was always gonna be louder than my potential.
But one day…
I hit a point where enough was enough.
I got tired of disappointing my family.
I got tired of disappointing myself.
And I realized something:
If I kept going the way I was going… I wasn’t gonna have the life I wanted.
I wanted a family.
I wanted peace.
I wanted success.
I wanted to make my people proud.
And I wanted to show somebody coming from where I come from… that there’s another way.
Not an easy way…
But a better way.
A possible way.
So I made one of the hardest decisions I ever made in my life.
I left New Jersey…
And I came to North Carolina.
And that’s when my journey really started.
When I joined the Adult High School program here at Wake Tech, I was nervous.
I didn’t know if I could do it.
I didn’t know if I was too far behind.
I didn’t know if I was gonna mess it up like I did in the past.
But this time was different.
Because this time… I wanted it.
This time… I was serious.
This time… I didn’t quit.
I kept showing up — even when it was hard.
Even when I was tired.
Even when life was heavy.
Even when my mind was telling me, “You not gonna make it.”
I kept going.
And while I was doing the adult high school program, I also joined Wake Tech’s Electrician program.
And I’m proud to say I completed both programs.
And now… I’m enrolled in college for Business.
Because I’m building something.
My goal is to one day own my own electrician business.
And for the first time in my life…
I don’t just hope I can do it.
I actually believe I can.
But I need to say this too:
I did not do this alone.
And I’m not too proud to admit that.
So first, I want to thank Allah.
Because I know I wouldn’t be standing here without Him.
I want to thank my girlfriend for believing in me when I didn’t always believe in myself.
I want to thank my mother, Tosha, for loving me through everything — even when I was at my lowest.
I want to thank my second grade teacher, Ms. Lawson, because even though I got kept back, she still made me feel like I mattered… and I never forgot that.
I want to thank my mother and love, Tonia, for supporting me and keeping me focused.
And I want to thank all my family and friends for being here today.
Because when you come from where I come from… sometimes just having people show up for you means everything.
And to Wake Tech — the teachers, staff, and everybody who helped me along the way…
Thank you for giving people like me a real chance.
Not judging us by our past…
But seeing what we could become.
To everybody graduating today…
I just want to say I’m proud of you.
Because I know for some of us, this wasn’t just school.
This was survival.
This was fighting through life.
This was trying again after falling.
This was rebuilding ourselves.
And if you take anything from my story, take this:
It doesn’t matter how many times you fell…
What matters is you got back up.
It doesn’t matter how late it is…
It’s never too late.
And no matter where you come from…
You can still become something greater.
Because if I can stand here today…
Then I promise you…
you can too.
Thank you.