Stand In The Light and be Seen for Who You Are
Dia daoibh a chairde, my name is Ciara, and I am honoured to say that I am the new chairperson of the student council for this year.
I’d like to start by saying that when I was first asked to speak here today, I almost immediately thought of the person who stood here last year. I remembered how brilliant her speech was, and suddenly, instead of thinking about what I wanted to say, I found myself wondering how I could make mine as good as hers. And I think most of us can agree that this is something many of us do all the time, sometimes without even noticing. Whether it's inside or outside school we all do it. We look at the person next to us and wonder if we’re doing enough, achieving enough, or measuring up to the people around us.
But it’s important to remember, like the gospel that was read by Father Tom alludes to, “you are the light of the world”. We’re not told that we have to become someone else, or even the best versions of ourselves before we can be a light. It’s about our own individual journey of getting to our best selves. We don’t have to be perfect, the most talented person in the room, or the most confident. When you choose to be your authentic self, you simply are the light, and you are precious, just like the stone from our first reading.
I think we’ve all heard someone at some point tell us to “just be yourself”, but sometimes I’m left wondering what that actually means. Standing in the light doesn't necessarily mean standing in the spotlight. Sometimes it means allowing people to see the not-so-perfect parts of ourselves, and being brave enough not to change who we are. Not everyone is the loudest person in the room, and not everyone's light looks the same. Some are great listeners, great friends, great leaders, or great at making others laugh on those harder days. All of that can be “light”, and it's what makes us all so uniquely special.
I think it's safe to say that our school wouldn’t be the incredibly positive place it is without each and every one of us, and when all of us have the courage to step into the light, we can create a light far brighter than any one of us could create alone. We walk past these words every day, but I think they bear repeating: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire”. Regardless of whether or not you know who you’re meant to be yet, staying true to yourself is one of the most important things you can do.
When I first started writing this speech, I wondered whether it would be as good as last year's. But upon reflection, I‘ve realised that I was looking at someone else’s light and forgetting to notice my own. And maybe that's something we can all take with us into this new school year. We don't have to be the person sitting beside us. We don’t have to have their talents, goals, achievements, or their path.
So this year, I encourage you to have the courage to stand in the light. Just like in the gospel, we don’t light a lamp to hide it under a bowl, we should display it and let your light shine for all to see. Not to become someone else, not to compete with the people around us, and not because we are perfect - but to allow ourselves to be seen for who we truly are.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Ciara K., 6th Year