Happy Hollow Elementary’s “Wayland’s Got Talent” showcased 28 acts in a variety of abilities and formats including comedy, singing, dancing, model animation, movies, yo-yo tricks, and instrumentals But it was one unique act that stood out.
“Where Am I From?” by Zoe Mehta was as moving of a speech as you will find in an elementary school. Despite having butterflies when she took the stage, Zoe delivered a unique and powerful performance about her identity. This may be a surprisingly deep topic as she is only in the second grade.
Zoe’s speech began, “One day someone asked me: ‘Where are you from?’” Her first thoughts centered on a concrete, geographical location so she answered, “Wayland, or Boston if that is more familiar.”
But, as the speech progressed, so too did the depth of her thoughts about what makes her who she is today.
In the speech, Zoe referenced Googling places on a map and referred to locate her best friend’s address and the trampoline in her yard. But, she noted, “Even when I zoom all the way into my house, I realized something. It doesn’t show everything about where I am from.”
Zoe’s speech continued to insightfully describe the people, places, and activities that she loved. It paid homage to the close ties she shares with her family, friends, and neighbors, and the enthusiasm she shares for school. She gave specific examples of the people, places and activities that are most meaningful to her.
“I am from the playground where games are invented in five seconds. I am from the neighborhood that comes outside when it is snowing and everyone wants to build one giant snowman. I am from a family that teaches me to be brave, to speak up when I don’t think something is right. So now, when someone asks me, ‘Where are you from?’ I do not just think about a town. I think about all the little things that are shaping me every day… I am from everywhere I go.”
After the speech, the auditorium erupted in applause and the speech even elicited some tears from the spectators. Zoe’s mom, Neha Gandhi, was moved by her neighbors’ reactions.
”What stood out most to us was the reaction afterward,” she said. “Many people came up to us and shared that they were genuinely moved, some even in tears, hearing a second-grader speak about such a nuanced topic with so much clarity and sincerity.”
Gandhi says that her daughter has always been interested in where she was from. She says she gave a lot of thought to her assignment and was able to draw the conclusion that identity is so much more than a tangible address or location and had fun thinking more deeply and weaving in all of her experiences to describe herself.
Happy Hollow Principal Nicolette Foundas is aware of Zoe’s confidence and ability to lead. She was still floored after the speech, which the second-grader kept as a surprise.
“On the day of her speech, I was truly amazed by her eloquence, confidence, and ability to inspire others,” Foundas said. “At school Zoe consistently demonstrates kindness and is a natural leader. Her writing and her message reflected both her voice and her values, and I am incredibly proud of the way she used her words to uplift those around her.
“Zoe’s simple innocence in answering the question ‘Where are you from?’ — intertwined with a deep recognition of all of her special moments and experiences — reminds us to stop and reflect on who we really are rather than supplying rote automatically rehearsed answers to the questions, ‘Where are you from?’ and “What do you do?’
“While watching Zoe, I could not help but reflect on the positive impact we are seeing across our elementary community,” Foundas added. “Through our social-emotional learning program, Wayfinder, and the ongoing work of our DEB [Diversity, Equity, and Belonging] lead teachers and district-wide committee, we are intentionally fostering identity awareness, equity, and a strong sense of belonging. At Happy Hollow, we emphasize what makes each of us unique and create opportunities to celebrate one another. Zoe is a wonderful example of a student who embodies these values. She is consistently demonstrating empathy, confidence, and a deep respect for others.”
