Oh the Places You'll Go by Social Change Maker Marco Vargas | Class of 2025 Keynote
- Marco Vargas
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Read the Speech Transcript Below:
Hello Class of 2025 — and congratulations.
You’ve earned your high school diploma, and that alone is something to be proud of. As a fellow LAUSD graduate and the son of two undocumented Guatemalan parents, I know this achievement represents not just academic success — but resilience, sacrifice, and love.
I also know this year has not been easy. From wildfires and global uncertainty to the fears some of our families are facing around deportation and immigration enforcement — the weight has been heavy. But still, you showed up. You committed and you persevered.
And now? The world is about to get much, much bigger.
From South Central to the World
When I was your age — 17 or 18 — I hadn’t seen much outside South Central Los Angeles. My family didn’t go on vacations. We didn’t have the money for fancy things. My world was shaped by local shops, Metro bus routes, and the community around me. And yet, something inside me wanted more. Not just for myself — but for my people.
So, I started small:
In elementary school, I sold chocolates with my grandma.
In middle school, I ran the LA Marathon.
In high school, I started an event staffing company.
In college, I co-founded Fifth Sun Pictures — the company I now run full-time.
Each step, each experience, taught me not just how to work — but how to lead. How to dream. How to solve problems.
And that’s what entrepreneurs do. We look at the world’s problems and ask: How can I help fix this?
The Power of Learning
As I got older, my understanding of the world evolved. I started asking bigger questions. I studied economics and Spanish. I volunteered for causes I believed in. I co-launched a national summer program with Everytown for Gun Safety after just one year of college.
But how did I grow that mindset?
By learning.
By reading good things.
By facing hard things.
By pursuing weird, cool, beautiful, human things.
And by practicing intellectual curiosity — the superpower that drives all meaningful growth.
You Don't Have to Travel Far — But Be Brave Enough to Go
In the spirit of Oh, the Places You’ll Go, my journey has taken me to: Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, Portugal, Germany, Rwanda, Switzerland, France, and more.
Not because I was rich. Not because I had all the answers. But because I was curious — and committed.
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to leave Los Angeles to explore the world. This city is home to nearly every language, cuisine, and culture you can imagine. LA County alone has the 19th largest economy in the world. You are living at the intersection of global opportunity.
But wherever you go — near or far — let your life be guided by this next part:
The Three Types of Experiences That Changed My Life
As you enter adulthood, look for experiences in three powerful categories:
Challenging Experiences That stretch you. That force you to grow. Like launching a national youth program. Like saying yes to a leadership role before you feel ready.
Life-Fulfilling Experiences That feed your soul. That support your mental and physical health. That bring you closer to family — or the family you choose through friends, mentors, and community.
Social Impact Experiences That uplift others. That remind you why your voice matters. That connect your personal success to collective progress.
When you invest in these three experiences, your purpose gets clearer.
A Final Word for the Road
Class of 2025 — I want you to hold onto this moment. This victory. This chapter. Because the road ahead will have bumps. It will test you.
But remember: you’ve already made history. You’ve already overcome challenges that will fill future textbooks. You are already proof that brilliance can grow in every zip code.
So when in doubt, come back to this stage. Come back to this version of yourself — bold, brilliant, and ready.
Closing
Today is your day. May you go far, or stay close to home. May you explore new places — and create new ones. And may you use your creativity, your curiosity, and your story to make this world more just, more joyful, and more human.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. We believe in you. And we’re ready to follow you into the places you’ll go.
Thank you.
