“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say..."
Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic has gone viral after he took the stage at his graduation ceremony to deliver his speech—just hours after his father's funeral.
"Own your imperfections!" they command. "Be you!" they exclaim. And then you read the very fine print which says that "mom bods" are on trend, but if, and only if...
"I wanted to stand in front of the mirror and suck it in at different angles... I wanted to lift up my boobs and try to see my waist... I wanted to say “nope not wearing this” as I tried to stretch out the waistband."
"My daughter is speechless and her eyes begin to glass over. I LOST MY MIND. I had a literal, physical reaction. I put my hand up and said 'STOP! She is 13'..."
