Congratulations to the Class of 2026

My Advice to the High School Graduating Class of 2026

by Mani Skaria, PhD

A few days ago, I was looking at a graduation photograph from the Class of 2026.

Among the graduates was the salutatorian, Gouri, the daughter of my friends, Dr. Menon and Archana.

Her achievement brought tremendous happiness to her parents, grandparents, teachers, and the many friends who have watched her journey over the years.

As I reflected on her accomplishment, I found myself thinking about a remarkable coincidence.

The original iPhone entered the world in 2007.

Less than a year later, Gouri entered the world as well.

Since then, both have followed very different journeys of growth and transformation.

One became a technology that changed the way billions of people communicate, learn, work, and live.

The other became a young woman standing before her graduating class as salutatorian.

Today, we admire the sophistication of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Yet the original iPhone was already extraordinary for its time. It had texting, photos, a camera, maps, a calendar, and a web browser. But compared to what exists today, it was only the beginning.

The lesson is simple.

The world often celebrates the finished product, but rarely celebrates the process behind it.

We celebrate the awards, the recognition, the achievements, and the results.

But we seldom see the years of discipline, perseverance, setbacks, sacrifices, and continuous improvement that made those achievements possible.

Whether it is technology, great actors, successful leaders, or outstanding students, what we admire today is rarely talent alone.

What we are really witnessing is years of refinement.

To the Graduating Class of 2026:

Do not be discouraged by your first version.

The things that change the world usually begin as Version 1.

Your journey is just beginning.