"Before I get into Sohrab's excellent qualifications and achievements in his high school career, a quick anecdote to share so we are all on the same wavelength. When I was a contestant in this Spring’s PHS Spicy Hot Ones Challenge, the MC’s believed that they were asking us the "hot questions" while the contestants, me, were forced to eat ridiculously hot wings--and the “hard” question posed before me was : Who is your favorite student? Without a doubt, and without any water, I said Sohrab Ford. It comes to no surprise to anyone, but the problem with this answer is that Sohrab is EVERYONE's favorite student. Sohrab is every teacher's dream: he’s inquisitive, he’s critical, he’s thoughtful, he’s kind, and he always does his homework! It was absolutely a no brainer to have him receive this civic engagement award. Sohrab has taken on a passionate role of advocating and working for the people around him. From free speech controversies in student clubs, to discussing in open-forums for Piedmont community families about transgender rights and visibility, your counseling and wisdom within the Piedmont Affinity Mentorship Program, writing articles in the Piedmont Post as one of their interns, and even going to DC to have open discourse with young contemporaries during his Spring Break--Sohrab can do it all, and then some, by adding to his resume as the first official ASB TA and continuing to keep those kids in line. Sohrab, I have personally watched you grow for 3 years in ways that I can't even express into coherent words right now. You have personally made me a greater person, teacher, and a friend–and I am NOT the only person in this room who feels that exact way. Your life, your passion, your advocacy has made a real impact on me and our school, and I need you to know that we are all better off because you walked through these halls.
"Some may say you have changed or grown from your earlier years here at Piedmont, but in fact, you've just solidified your true self and personality more each year. You've always had this drive inside you, you just needed to be pissed off for it to fully come out. There's so much more to say here, but thankfully you are continuing your studies at San Francisco State University, close to Piedmont, so that I don't have to cry any more up here on stage. We can save that for graduation. Congratulations on this award, and we welcome to hear all the great achievements in your near future. Bravo."