Oberlin High School alumnus reminds class of 2024 to follow their dreams

OBERLIN — More than a decade since he crossed the stage at Finney Chapel, Jason Moore Jr. returned to give the commencement address at his alma mater. Moore, Oberlin High School Class of 2013, gave the commencement speech at the class of 2024's ceremony on Saturday. Formerly an NFL wide receiver, philanthropist and model, Moore told graduates everything that has happened over the past 13 years is beyond them. "This is the next step," he said. He thanked his mother for everything she's done, and grateful for his family that taught him how to be wealthy in mind and spirit. "Those who know me, know the love I have for Oberlin, and those who know my family know the love they have for Oberlin as well," he said. He imparted words of wisdom his mother and grandmother told him over and over: finish what you start. That mindset helped Moore overcome an early career setback when his leg broke during a scrimmage during his first regular year on the team at the Unversity of Findlay, after sitting out his freshman year. "I began to question if it was even worth it," he said after he was injured. "But I remember my mom and grandma telling me not to question why things happen to me, always trust that God is working in your favor even when you feel like he's not." One day at a time, Moore went through physical therapy while attending classes at the University of Findlay. Moore took the opportunity to come back his third year personally, he said, and soon found his footing and by his final year owned records for receiving yards and touchdowns, according to the Oilers' website. "Adversity taught me everybody's journey is different," he said. "Your journey isn't meant to be like the next person … life is 10 percent what happens to us, 90 percent how we choose to respond to it." He told the class of 2024 to always go after what they want in life. "Remember where you're from, but don't loose sight of where you're going," he said. Oberlin High School had three valedictorians this year: Evan Hudson, Oliver Knijnenburg and Helen Levy. Each addressed their fellow graduates and their families. Hudson, who recently secured a repeat title as state champion in the 400-meter championship, and added 200-meter champion to the list, thanked his friends and family for their support the past 13 years. "Graduating high school is a large milestone in all of our lives … I believe every one of us will continue to have goals and aspirations. And for me, I truly believe the largest factor in achieving these goals is the effort and discipline." Knijnenburg used statistics to remind his fellow graduates they were anything but average — as the average resident of the United States, according to most recent Census data, was a 30-to-34-year-old white woman, he said with a laugh. "Each one of you is unique and I ask you to be brave enough to follow your dreams," he said. Levy hoped her classmates left an impact on the community around them, while growing as individuals. She was reminded of a day last fall when the class was tempted with a block of newly poured, wet concrete. After initially joking about writing their names in the block — and being told not to by a teacher — they were soon each smudging their names in the concrete, a way to be remembered by future classes. "I am beyond excited to see what the future holds for each of us," she said. Lorain County Joint Vocational School speaker Marianna Frank said when she first arrived at the Joint Vocational School her freshman year, she questioned what she had gotten herself into at the sight of her new classmates' cowboy boots covered in dirt and oil. "Thanks to the JVS I can confidently answer the huge question that all students are asked: What on Earth are you doing after graduation?" she said, an STNA and phlebotomist license already under her belt. "Without JVS, I would be miles away from my goal of becoming a registered nurse and I would still be lost." Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.