this class is made up of young men like your valedictorian jordan smiley, who grew up surrounded by violence, confronted by daily pressures and daily temptations to fall in with the wrong crowd. but jordan was blessed with amazing parents, supportive brothers and sisters. because of that will to overcome, he's been captain of the football team, the track and field teams. he's president student government. he's up here running this graduation. [ applause ] and today jordan becomes the first in his family to go to college. hampton man. [ applause ] this class is also made up of young men like rudolph eastman. where is rudolph? rudolph, i understand was raised by a single mother along with eight brothers and sisters. that right? whew! where is rudolph's mother. praise! [ applause ] understand that rudolph's older brother was killed in an act of gun violence. but in the face of tragedy and hardship, rudolph stayed focused, he worked hard, and today, like jordan, he becomes the first in his family to go to college. [ applause ] a belief in the importance of education, perseverance, character. the