Jamie Wu gives a graduation speech that speaks to all of us
Jamie Wu and Coach Rudy Osario
Jamie Wu speaks with the kind of measured eloquence that usually takes years to master. Her words cut straight to the heart and reveal truths that unite us.
Speaking to her graduating fifth-grade class at Hillcrest Elementary School in San Francisco, Jamie expressed hope, wisdom, courage, gratitude, and foresight. She did all of this after an unprecedented school year that had abruptly shifted to homebound learning as COVID 19 profoundly changed daily life in the Bay Area and well beyond.
Jamie is a SCORES poet-athlete on Coach Rudy Osorio’s team at Hillcrest Elementary in the Outer Mission in San Francisco. She transferred to Hillcrest as a third grader. Coach Rudy has been a SCORES coach at Hillcrest for 17 years, where he’s inspired students to soar both academically and on the field. “Jamie is a testament to the value of what we’re trying to accomplish through SCORES. I look at her and know I’m doing good work,” he says.
You can listen to Jamie’s full speech at the link below. Excerpts of her speech follow.
Poet-athlete Jamie Wu’s graduation speech at Hillcrest Elementary School in San Francisco.
On what she learned at Hillcrest:
Hillcrest is where I started playing soccer. I have learned a lot here and I have so many amazing memories. I learned to be kind to others. I learned to tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. I became a better athlete. I learned to stand up against bullies. Most importantly, I learned to make wise decisions. Hillcrest taught me that learning can happen anywhere, not just in the classroom. For me, I learned on the soccer field too. Coach Rudy taught me that I was brave and able to try new things.
On how learnings on the field translate directly to learnings for life:
Before I came here, I had never even touched a soccer ball. And in a short period of time, it’s become part of my identity. I learned how to pass a soccer ball to a teammate, but the actual lesson was that I am not alone. I learned to kick accurately when trying to score, but what it really taught me was to aim for my goals, to not give up until I meet challenges I set for myself, and to work hard until the job is done. I am my community. My community is me.
On communication:
Since soccer is a fast-moving game, you have to learn to communicate with your teammates in order to be successful. I know this is also true in life. People in my classroom and on my team have many different kinds of personalities. Working with all these people has taught me that you don’t have to like everyone, but you do need to learn how to get along to get the job done. I learn from my community. My community learns from me.
On welcoming challenges:
I am sure many of us are frustrated we cannot gather together to celebrate this important day. We should not be scared about moving on to middle school. We should look forward to the new challenge. Never forget how strong, smart, brave, and independent you are. You are capable of anything as long as you are committed and not afraid to take risks. Don’t give up on something because it’s difficult. Just remember, the more you practice, the easier it gets.
Coach Rudy uses soccer as a tool to guide his poet-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Filmed in 2016.
Coach Rudy with Jamie and the Hillcrest Elementary School team.