Finding Your Voice

This week, I had the honor of doing a classroom visit for about 23 amazing young people.

It was with our community friend, Kim Finnerty, and her incredible Student Voice Initiative Summer Program.

Every time I have the opportunity to step into a classroom, I’m reminded why this part of the JOSHWAY mission means so much to me.

JOSHWAY has many different initiatives.

We’re building programs, developing partnerships, and creating opportunities for young people.

But for me personally, nothing compares to being in the classroom.

Those moments are special.

They’re humbling.

As I walked into the room, I saw 23 students ready to listen, ready to learn, and ready to grow.

Moments like that are never ordinary.

They’re an incredible responsibility.

Whenever I speak with students, I don’t want to simply give another motivational speech.

I want to have a heart-to-heart conversation.

I want to be real.

I always begin with my own story, where I came from, the challenges I faced growing up, and the obstacles that shaped me. I don’t share those experiences so students will feel sorry for me. I share them because I want them to know that hardship doesn’t have the final word.

Life isn’t fair.

It never has been.

But I’ve learned to ask a different question.

Instead of asking, “Why me?”

I’ve learned to ask, “What is this preparing me for?”

Every challenge we face has the opportunity to build resilience, strengthen our character, and reveal the warrior that’s already inside of us. Like a sculptor chiseling away at stone, life isn’t adding more to us. It’s removing everything that keeps us from becoming who we were created to be.

One message I’ve been reflecting on lately is the importance of speaking up.

Too many young people are afraid to raise their hands because they’re worried about getting the answer wrong.

I challenged the students to look at it differently.

If you answer the question incorrectly, you still win, because you get to learn the right answer.

If you answer the question correctly, you still win, because your understanding is affirmed.

Either way, you win.

The only way to lose is to let fear keep your voice silent.

I want our young people to ask questions.

I want them to share ideas.

I want them to be courageous enough to participate, because curiosity will always move us further than fear.

We ended our time together the way we always do, with the JOSHWAY Pledge.

Not a promise made to me.

Not a promise made to a teacher.

Not a promise made to a parent.

A quiet promise made within your own heart.

A commitment to take one step forward.

A commitment to use the time you’ve been given to make a difference.

As I was leaving, I was handed several handwritten thank-you notes from the students.

I read every one of them.

Their words reminded me that sometimes the smallest conversations leave the biggest impact.

This week reminded me that my purpose isn’t simply to tell my story.

It’s to create space for young people to discover the courage that’s already inside of them.

Thank you, Kim Finnerty, for inviting me into your Student Voice Initiative Summer Program, and for creating a space where students are encouraged to think, to speak, and to believe in themselves.

Moments like these remind me why this work matters.

One classroom.

One conversation.

One student at a time.

- David