An immigrant says she hopes 'to help make America great again' during her valedictorian speech
McKinney ISD Media
Larissa Martinez graduated last week at the top of her high-school class with a 4.95 GPA, earning her a full-ride scholarship to Yale University and the opportunity to speak to a crowd of her peers and educators during her valedictorian speech.
Martinez took the opportunity to reveal to the audience, most of whom had no idea, that she was an immigrant living in the US without permission. She also had some choice words aimed at Donald Trump.
Martinez said during McKinney Boyd High School's graduation ceremony:
The most important part of the debate, and the part most overlooked, is the fact that immigrants, undocumented or otherwise, are people, too. People with dreams, aspirations, hopes, and loved ones. People like me. People who have become a part of the American society and way of life and who yearn to help make America great again without the construction of a wall based on hatred and prejudice.
While Martinez never mentioned the Republican presidential candidate by name, she told WFAA ABC 8 News in Texas that her words were a challenge to Trump and the negative rhetoric surrounding immigrants.
Martinez left behind an abusive and alcoholic father in Mexico City in 2010 and, with her mother and sister, settled on a tourist visa in McKinney, Texas.
"We just flew over here with luggage and a lot of dreams," she told WFAA ABC 8 News.
She said that she is still waiting for her application for citizenship that she sent in almost seven years ago to be processed.
Martinez said during her speech:
I am one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadow of the United States. I decided to stand before you today and reveal these unexpected realities because this might be the only chance I get to convey the truth to all of you, that undocumented immigrants are people, too.
She said that the US immigration system is broken, and that although many immigrants like her "are trying to do it the right way," they don't know how. Martinez also challenged the media's portrayal of immigrants living in the US illegally and asked the audience to look beyond the dehumanizing accusations that she said some politicians have made.
Before the valedictorian was met with rousing applause and a standing ovation, she ended on some hopeful words:
By sharing my story, I hope to convince all of you that, if I was able to break every stereotype based on what I'm classified as — Mexican, female, undocumented, first-generation, low-income — then so can you.
We do not have to let expectations become our reality. I am no expert in this journey we call life, but I am living proof that beating the system is possible. We do not have to conform to the limitations that others put on us.
There will always be people that judge us, and set expectations based on their preconceived ideas of who they think we are and who they think we should be. However, we have the ability to prove them wrong.
In those moments when you need a reason to continue moving forward, close your eyes and picture yourself in the future saying, "They told me I couldn't, so I did."
Watch the full graduation speech below:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/tuWzPmPKGlA?start=1312
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