Bright Lights Big City Grads

The class of 2009 is entering the next phase of their lives under less than ideal conditions. But seven of New York City's valedictorians see the uncertainty of the future and the likely daunting tasks ahead, and say: Bring it on anyway. They've come of age during a powerful year — something that's not been lost on them.

Christian Monsalve, who was chosen by his classmates at Regis High School, one of the city’s most prestigious Catholic schools, to give the commencement address, tells The New York Times, “We’re that high school class that was there when Obama got elected and that’s going to be there forever,” said “Who knows what, in the next five, 10 years, what’s going to happen. We’re going to be that class that’s going to make that history.”

Most of them look at overwhelming issues such as unemployment, poverty, hunger and the AIDS pandemic as opportunities to make a difference in the world. “It’s not like we’ll be in recession for the rest of our lives, until we die,” noted Jenae Williams, the valedictorian at the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.

Interestingly, none are products of privilege. In fact, they're all living proof that the American Dream is alive and well. The New York Times reports that four are from immigrant families — Uzbekistan by way of Armenia, Colombia, the Dominican Republican and Lebanon. Their parents include an elevator mechanic, two hotel banquet servers and a limousine driver, along with the chairman of the neurology department at Mount Sinai Medical Center. They speak Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic and a little Hebrew.

At a round-table discussion at the New York Times, they all agreed that New York City's public school system could use an overhaul; that Obama stands for change, but isn't a magician; and that they hoped to get a few laughs at commencement. Read the speeches they're worth a look.

Photo courtesy of Lowry Lou/Flickr.