Commencement Speaker for 2008 Grads

6 06 2008

Waritu has yet to reveal to his family and friends that he is the commencement speaker for this year’s ceremony. Most of them, he said, will be shocked and surprised when they find out he will be telling his story in front of thousands of people.

“We were very impressed with his message and how he reflected on how his experience at Portland State affected him,” Ebru Korbek, coordinator for commencement, said of the Graduation Program Board.

As for being nervous speaking in front of so many people, Waritu said he will be speaking from the heart, which will alleviate any nervousness.

“I believe I have a unique story, and I have to let my voice be heard,” Waritu said. “At least, if I can motivate one student at commencement with my message, then I think it’s worth it, and my job is done.”
One of Waritu’s proudest achievements is helping found the Gadab Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards scholarships to students near his hometown of Oromia.

Waritu serves as the president of the Gadab Foundation, which has assisted 24 students since it was established two years ago.

He said that he strongly believes the foundation is one of the primary reasons he was given the opportunity to further his education, because he is supposed to pass on his passion for education to others.

“He is going to make a tremendous difference in the lives of young people,” said Etter, who began to cry when she spoke about Waritu.

For more on this story visit Vanguard. And to support young students with scholarshp, visit Gadab Foundation.

Watch the Commencement speech below.


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Categories : Academics, Ethiopia, Oromia, Oromo

Stars Spangled

6 06 2008

 

The Star Spangled Banner

By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner!  Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto:  "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

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Categories : Art, Ethiopia, Human rights, Music, Oromia, Oromo, Poetry, Politics