Meet Willowbrook’s class of 2016 graduation speakers

On May 22, three Willowbrook seniors will address about 475 of their classmates as the graduation speakers during Willowbrook’s 57th commencement ceremony.

Sally Nijim was chosen to speak based on her academic standing, as she is ranked in the top 5 percent of the class of 2016. Khateeb Raza will speak as President of the class of 2016, and Galen Bergsten will speak as Vice President of the class of 2016.

Nijim’s speech, entitled “Class of 2016,” will reflect on the experiences she and her peers have had during the past four years of high school and how they have become a unified group. She said she hopes the message her classmates take away from her speech is that they should hold on to the variety of values they learned at Willowbrook.

“Willowbrook has taught me perseverance and how to overcome obstacles,” Nijim said. “To me, being a Willowbrook Warrior means being part of a team – it’s something intangible that’s difficult to put into words. It’s a bond between all the members of the class of 2016 that will never be broken. Within Willowbrook, we always have a place to call home and a group of people to call friends.”

Nijim plans to major in biology and chemistry and pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Raza and Bergsten will deliver a speech entitled “Refinement,” which will discuss how Willowbrook has refined the members of the class of 2016 and prepared them for successful futures.

“I’ve always wanted to have the opportunity to address my classmates,” Bergsten said. “Being able to speak at graduation means all my hard work has paid off, and I get to share my experiences and thoughts with everyone.”

Raza said Willowbrook has taught him to be a good student and person through exemplifying the Warrior Code – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Engaged.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned during high school is to be kind and understanding to everyone,” Raza said. “And if you put in the effort, you will reach your goals.”

Raza plans to attend University of Illinois at Chicago and major in mechanical engineering, and Bergsten plans to attend The University of Utah and major in astrophysics and microbiology.