Episode 17: Senior Chapel Talks by Hannah Allen, Reece Traylor, and Javier Ramos

Describing what it was like to grow up in various places around the world during her #SeniorChapelTalk, Hannah Allen spoke about the phases she went through in her attempts to fit in. Looking back and trying to understand her behavior, she reflected on the words of Science Department Chair Rob Friedrich who told her to never settle for a simple answer. She explained the human nature to conform, noting that we are often not even aware when we are conforming. “Don’t let your identity be controlled by people who you think the world would rather see, let your influences be who can better you as an individual,” she said. “Don’t copy people or things you don’t approve of…and…put yourself first, you’d be surprised what some simple self love can do for the complex human mind.”

“Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us.” Reece Traylor quoted Carl Sagan in his #SeniorChapelTalk as he emphasized how small we are and how short and fleeting life is in comparison to the universe. But, we must realize that “we are the universe…a component part of a much bigger, much more amazing whole.” Pay attention to the world around you, he urged the community, “live with grace, be happy and…enjoy the time you have with each other and never let a single moment go to waste.”

As a young child, Javier Ramos struggled with trying to figure out his self worth. In his #SeniorChapelTalk, he told the story of a boy who asked his father what the value of life is–the moral was that what matters in life is who you surround yourself with and how you choose to carry yourself. Before moving to San Antonio, he came to the tough realization in middle school that his friends were laughing at him, not with him. He knew he had to make a change. “Life can and will be challenging,” he said, “I’ve always failed at many things and I’ve always come back stronger.” Don’t be afraid to try and always keep moving forward.