Words That Changed the World delights and inspires

The wisdom of poets and politicians, of screenwriters and senior naval officers, and of one groundbreaking comedian were on display March 3 during the Upper School’s fifth annual Words That Changed the World Competition. 

While all seniors take part in the yearly exhibition of oratorical skill in their English classes, only six finalists stood upon the CFA’s Hale Center stage that day, having earned their spots by a vote of their classmates. The six first explained why they chose their particular passages of import and then performed them before a receptive Upper School audience. They were, in order of appearance: 

Abby Cherry ‘25, who chose Admiral William H. McRaven’s “Make Your Bed” speech, aka the admiral’s 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas
Kylie Gilbert ‘25, who chose the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” by Maya Angelou, which Angelou recited during the 1993 inauguration of President Bill Clinton  
Luke Driscoll ‘25, who chose Jerry Seinfeld’s 2024 commencement address at Duke University
Meghan Sloan ‘25, who chose Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2011 remarks in recognition of International Human Rights Day
Shayna Hailey ‘25, who chose the poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
Veronica “V” Taylor ‘25, who chose Nora Ephron’s 1996 commencement address at Wellesley College

All six speakers drew rousing ovations from the audience, but an online vote saw Taylor emerge as 2025 champion; Cherry was the day’s runner-up. Lyndsay Mingolelli ‘26 and Max Black ‘26 served as emcees for the event. 

In her presentation, Cherry brought McRaven’s words to life as the former Navy SEAL urged UT graduates to begin their day with a minor but immediate accomplishment: making the bed. 

“Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter,” Cherry, as McRaven, told the audience. “If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right.” 

Gilbert followed with a stirring rendition of Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning,” a work which celebrates the hope to be found in seeking a shared humanity and looking forward together. 

“Plant yourself beside the river,” recited Gilbert. “Each of you, descendant of some passed on traveller, has been paid for.” Later, Gilbert offered these words: “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” 

In selecting Seinfeld’s commencement address, Driscoll chose to hammer home Seinfeld’s belief in the power of humor and the comedian’s contention that humor is not an add-on to life but a necessity. 

“Do not lose your sense of humor,” Driscoll, channeling Seinfeld’s words, said before explaining the reason why: “Not enough of life makes sense for you to be able to survive it without a sense of humor.”  

Secretary of State Clinton’s 2011 address in Geneva, Switzerland urged listeners to be “on the right side of history” when it came to expanding the circle of human rights to include the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, needs which had not been considered when the United Nations first issued its Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In reciting Clinton’s words, Sloan ably incorporated Clinton’s clear-eyed but inclusive message. 

“No matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we are, we are all equally entitled to our human rights and dignity,” Sloan, as Clinton, said. 

The work of Angelou again became a focus, this time her poem “Still I Rise” as interpreted by Hailey. 

“You can shoot me with your words,” declared Hailey. “You can cut me with your lies. You can kill me with your hatefulness, but just like life, I’ll rise.” 

For Taylor, who prefaced her recitation with a history of trying to play youth hockey at a time when the game was much more considered “a boy’s sport,” Ephron’s commencement address encapsulated the incorrect assumption that women are comfortable taking a backseat to the lives of men. 

“We weren’t meant to have futures,” said Taylor as Ephron, who was referring to her 1962 graduating class at Wellesley College. “We were meant to marry them.” 

Ephron’s words urge Wellesley’s newly minted graduates to forge their own futures, whatever they may be, and not to treat their lives as a grand dress rehearsal. 

“Above all, whatever you do,” Taylor, as Ephron, said, “be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” 

The Words That Changed the World competition represents the senior component of Thayer’s commitment to leadership communication and public speaking across all grade levels. The sequenced array of curricular opportunities, which begins in fifth grade, develops not only effective public presentation skills but highlights the art of storytelling, the value of connecting with multiple audiences, and the importance of articulating ideas in impactful ways.