‘We are connected’ – Class Day at Yale

As Dame Jacinda Ardern, the former prime minister of New Zealand, guided her country through the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, she grappled with a lingering sense of uncertainty. Like so many others, she told members of the Yale College Class of 2025 Sunday, she struggled with what has come to be known as “imposter syndrome” — a gap in confidence that often left her doubting herself.

Ardern, who was the annual Class Day speaker, advised the seniors to embrace their own self-doubt, saying that it has its own power. 

“Self-doubt brings with it humility,” she said. “The humility to know that when a challenge presents itself, you need to understand the problem to the best of your ability. It drives you to seek information — to listen to experts who can teach you and advisors who can guide you.”

Held every year on the Sunday before Commencement, Class Day is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, when soon-to-be graduates gathered on Old Campus to swap stories about their experiences. 

Over time the annual event has grown into a festive celebration featuring a notable speaker chosen with input from students, prizes awarded for academic, artistic, and athletic excellence, reflections from class members, and the continuance of Yale symbolic traditions.

And, as always, there were silly hats, many of them homemade. As the students marched onto Old Campus, they formed a motley sea of golden crowns, Viking helmets, cheese wedges, and floral arrangements. Some headcovers were whimsical: a pile of colorful stuffed animals, star-shaped blue and silver balloons, and a plush octopus wearing a chef’s hat. Still others were satirical, artistic, or about Yale — models of Berkeley College and Harkness Tower, for instance.

‘It’s about us’

Ardern, who served as New Zealand’s prime minister from 2017 to 2023, told the Yale College seniors that traits often perceived as weaknesses — including self-doubt and sensitivity — can actually be secret strengths that inform and inspire leadership. 

“That sensitivity you walk through life with, the thing that moves you to tears when you see the pain of others. It can also be what drives you to action,” she said. “The reason you seek to make change. The thing that motivates you to keep going in difficult or trying circumstances. 

“In fact, all those traits that you might have believed your whole life were weaknesses — questioning yourself, the doubt that brings humility, or sensitivity that comes with empathy — may just be what the world needs more of.” 

But why, Adern asked, should today’s graduates, who step into an unknown world and leading through doubt and fear, listen to “platitudes about self-confidence” from her? 

“Fair question,” she said. “And my answer: Because it’s not just about you. It’s about us.” 

Ardern said the world faces a host of difficult challenges with global consequences. Nobody, she said, has the luxury of ignoring them. 

“We are connected. Always have been,” Ardern said. “History has taught us that time and time again, and now our current challenges and crises are reminding us. Not just that we need cooperation to overcome what lies before us, but that we also need the strength of shared values.”

The world, she said, needs the “power” of their imposter syndrome. 

“Because it is also your curiosity and humility,” she said. “We need your sensitivity, because it’s also your kindness and your empathy. And most of all, we need your sense of duty to your home, and to others. We need all of that, because it’s about you. And it’s about us.”

For Bethel Asomaning, a cognitive science major and resident of Berkeley College, Ardern’s focus on the connections binding different groups of people and nations were especially resonant. “I thought it was impactful how she focused on community,” she said. “It’s not really about us, it’s about uplifting each other.”

The ceremony, which was broadcast live online, additionally featured the traditional conferral of prizes to outstanding graduates, as well as speeches and reflections from graduating seniors. 

Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College, greeted the crowd. Class Day committee members Isabella Osgood and R. Tyler Schroder welcomed their class members and guests. 

“The memories we’ve made over the last four years are all part of the cultural fabric that makes this extraordinary class,” said Osgood. “During these times of change, celebration, and loss, we’ve also discovered resilience, advocacy, and strength within ourselves and in the communities we created. We’re celebrating not only our academic achievements, but the friendships, growth, and challenges that have defined our time at Yale.”

Class Day committee member Leyli Granmayeh introduced Ardern. Committee members Eesha Bodapati, Katia George, and Ryan Pascal presented background on Class Day traditions, such as the white handkerchiefs that class members wave at the end of the ceremony and the planting of the Class Ivy on Old Campus by each graduating class.

Vyann Eteme and Victoria Pekel performed the Ivy Ode, “We Can Find Love,” a song they wrote to capture the spirit of their class. Tara Bhat and Emma Madsen performed a comedy routine. Student Molly Smith delivered a reflection in which she described her study of Yale’s history and the belief it left her with that the graduates have a responsibility to the next generation. 

“Say something,” said Smith, who also shared that she was diagnosed and successfully overcame cancer while at Yale. “Maybe it’s through art, research, science, technology. Maybe it’s it the moments you had a conversation with someone you disagreed with. Maybe it’s the way you build community. Problem solving and leadership can happen at any scale and oftentimes the largest impact is at the community level.” 

Isabel Leka and Brandon Yee, the 2025 class secretary and treasurer, respectively, offered closing remarks. 

“It has been such an immense privilege growing and learning with you all,” Leka said. “This crazy Bulldog school has given us light in the friends we will never forget and truth in the learning we have done here.”