"If we didn't believe that the things worth believing in are those that are true, that what is

worth pursuing is goodness, and that which deserves contemplation is beauty, then why
should we live?" – Axel Kaiser
Not one of us has reached this point alone; each one of us is a patch sewn by thousands of
threads of those who have loved us, who have shown us unreasonable kindness, and those
who have believed in our future and dreams even when we couldn't believe in them
ourselves. Especially those who have told us the truth, no matter how difficult it was for us
to hear it. In this room, there are people who have shared stories about the world with you,
who have taught you to dream. Someone tried to provide you with a guide to distinguish
right from wrong until you could find your own path. Someone in this room did their best to
explain every concept you might need to navigate this inexplicably complex world, and it
probably wasn't easy, especially when you asked questions like, "Do I really need to know
the quadratic formula to buy bread at the store?" or "Did you know the Berlin Wall fell on
Taylor Swift's birthday, teacher?" They might not have been able to make you understand
everything you needed to know, but nobody can ever truly achieve that. Today, we
remember each and every one of these people. If they are no longer with us, hold them in
your memory, and if they are present here, I hope you find a way to express your gratitude.

As I wrote this speech, I came across photos of my younger self, some of which I
shared with you. Browsing through albums and WhatsApp groups, memories of our
unique high school experience flooded back. Zoom classes, attending in our
pajamas, listening to Diego's lessons while having breakfast and playing games.
Reminiscing filled me with a sense of pride.
You see, life is full of unprecedented, messy moments. We try to choose the people we
want to be with, the experiences we want to have, and the places we want to go to. But
living is not merely creating a Spotify playlist for our study sessions. You can never predict
every song that will play, but I'm proud of all of us because I genuinely believe we have
done the best we could with what we were given. Congratulations! Today, you are
graduating from Ludoteca, a place that could be described with a variety of adjectives, but
undoubtedly, it has been a "home" for most of us.

So, when I was asked to speak here today, I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to say.
However, I believe that some of my dearest friends may be listening, as well as those who
might want this moment to pass quickly. To both of these groups, I offer some unsolicited
advice:
 Firstly, life can become burdensome if you try to carry it all at once. Part of growing
up is understanding that life is a game of catch and release. You must decide what
things to hold onto and what things to let go of. Sometimes, holding onto a
 connection that yearns to end can overshadow many other little joys. And the
fortunate thing is that these joys are often lighter to carry anyway.

 Secondly, don't be afraid to care too much or to try too much. Being a natural at
something never lasts long, so there's no shame in trying or caring deeply about
things. I am an advocate for enthusiasm. Never hide your passion for the things you
love. Never be afraid to care too much just because you might fail a few times, which
takes me to…

 Failure. As a recovering control freak obsessed with perfectionism, I know a thing or

two about failure. Even when it wasn't apparent, I felt it every day at some point.
Regarding this, I have something to share: you will make mistakes, fail tests, miss
opportunities, arrive too late or too early, overthink or not think at all, be overly
clever at times or overly kind at others, experience heartbreak, break someone's
heart, develop bad habits, and discover all these things, attempt to change them, and
rise again. And then, you will repeat the cycle of failure all over again.

 And with failure, you will lose things. But every time you lose something, you gain
something else in return. As you leave behind your first and longest educational
experience today, you will face many choices in the outside world. There will be times
in life when you must decide whether to hold onto your ideals or understand
someone else's, fight for what you believe in or give up and run away, cling to things
or gracefully let go, seek new perspectives or listen to the wisdom of old. Whether to
leave or stay. And you may wonder, "How do I know what's right to choose in each
moment?" You won't know. I could never attempt to tell you how to know.

And that's the beauty of this precise moment in our lives. No one will tell you what to do or
which path to take. People will try to guide you, advise you, and influence you for their own
benefit or yours. But no one will be there to make those decisions for you. The scary news
is: you are on your own now, but the cool news is: you are on your own now.

So, I leave you with this: you will make mistakes, whether in career choices, choosing a
partner, or even changing hairstyles (as I have experienced this past year). But as long as
you have the privilege of breathing, you will (BREATHE DEEP, BREATHE THROUGH, BREATHE
IN, BREATHE OUT) and try again. I couldn't be prouder to share this day with all of you, the
ones I call teachers, the ones I call family, the ones I call friends and life companions, and all
those I hold dear. I hope that we continue to grow; that's my sincerest wish for all of us.
Thank you for everything.