Life consists of experiences, opinions, words of wisdom, failures and successes that ultimately shape us into the people we are today.

I ask each and every one of you to think and ask yourselves: “Who are you?” Throughout my four years at the UW Oshkosh, this question frequently came in and out of my mind. But it wasn’t until I found my passion of  helping people that I could finally understand who I am as a person. Oprah Winfrey once said: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

The numerous electives and clubs offered at UWO have allowed us to broaden our identities through likes, dislikes, interests and values, enough so to create and help each of us find our passions. UWO has tested our beliefs by placing us into environments that guide us toward passionate career paths and enable our successful futures.

Your hard-work and dedication is what helped get you from point A to point B, so truly reflect on your accomplishments; you are here for a reason. If it weren’t for the abundance of obstacles and hardships during your lifetime and here at UWO, then you would not be as prepared to move forward in a progressive light.

Steve Jobs once said being an entrepreneur can be a lot of hard work. He added, “It’s a lot of worrying constantly and if you don’t love it, you’re going to fail.”

That passion must carry through to your eventual careers. I know that it was difficult to go to 8 a.m. classes or meet up with group members for projects. But what kept me going was the passion that I had for my future. Without passion, we wouldn’t be graduating during a pandemic.

Each and every one of you should be excited for who you’re about to become after leaving UWO. And I salute you for not only finishing those assignments, but staying healthy amidst this virus! Thanks to COVID-19 disrupting the daily lives of all, we have learned the meaning of perseverance and gratitude.

Thank you to family, friends, UWO faculty and staff and to those lab partners who helped carry our team through each early morning demonstration. You are the G.O.A.T.: the greatest of all time.

Now back to the question presented earlier: Who are you? The answer is simple. You will soon be University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni. Congratulations Class of 2021; you did it!

Selena Yang of Marshfield, will graduate from UWO with a degree in human services and leadership. She has accepted a job as a residence coordinator for the University of Central Arkansas.