Embracing Life’s Lessons: Reflections from Thomas Ye’s Amherst College Senior Address
As the Amherst College Class of 2025 gathered to celebrate their commencement, Thomas Ye, a distinguished double major in mathematics and political science, delivered a memorable and heartfelt senior address. His speech, rich with personal insight and humor, used a simple yet powerful metaphor—a green to-go box from Amherst’s COVID era—to distill profound lessons learned throughout his college journey. These lessons—Stay Green, Pickle, and Bridge—offer timeless guidance not only for graduates but for anyone navigating life’s complexities.
Introduction: A Green To-Go Box and a Philosophy for Life
Thomas Ye began his address with a lighthearted confession: he had “stolen” a green to-go box from Amherst during the pandemic and kept it for four years. These boxes, once a symbol of pandemic-era dining convenience and avoidance, had disappeared from campus, forgotten by newer classes. Yet for Tom, the box represented more than just a container—it embodied a philosophy shaped by his experiences at Amherst during unprecedented times.
Inside this green box, Tom shared, were three key lessons that he would carry forward beyond graduation. Each lesson reflects a facet of personal growth, resilience, and community that defined his college years.
Lesson 1: Stay Green — Cultivating Openness and Curiosity
The first lesson, “Stay Green,” is a call to maintain the openness, friendliness, and curiosity that characterize the freshman experience. Tom reminisced about the early days at Amherst when students would sit next to anyone in the dining tents without hesitation, striking up conversations with strangers. Over time, however, many lose this openness, becoming more reserved and less willing to connect.
Tom urged his classmates—and all of us—to resist this tendency. He highlighted Amherst’s new president as a living example of “green” spirit: someone who embraces awkward conversations, attends campus events enthusiastically, and greets everyone with warmth. Other examples included professors and peers who kept their “greenness” alive by fostering genuine connections.
The message is clear: as life grows more complex, it’s vital to intentionally preserve that freshman-year spirit of openness. Saying hello to strangers, making plans beyond group chats, and reaching out to classmates before reunions are simple yet powerful ways to stay green. This lesson encourages us to be present, engaged, and curious, even when it’s challenging.
Lesson 2: Pickle — Embracing Challenges as Growth
The second lesson, “Pickle,” uses the metaphor of fermentation to teach us about growth through hardship. Just as pickles start as something raw and sometimes unpleasant but transform into something valuable over time, so too do our difficult experiences shape us.
Tom shared candidly about his family’s struggle with his father’s brain cancer diagnosis—a profoundly “rotten” moment that brought pain but also unexpected strength and gratitude. This personal story underscored the power of reframing adversity as an opportunity for growth. Whether it’s the stress of a thesis, a disappointing grade, or uncomfortable living situations, these challenges are part of the transformative process.
He encouraged patience and resilience, reminding graduates that success often takes time to ferment. The “pickle” phase may stink and feel like running in circles, but it is essential for real progress. This lesson invites us to embrace discomfort and uncertainty as necessary steps toward becoming stronger and wiser.
Lesson 3: Bridge — Building Meaningful Connections Across Generations
The final lesson, “Bridge,” draws from Tom’s experience playing the card game bridge every Sunday at Amherst. Initially reluctant, he was drawn in by friends and the modest incentive of payment, but soon discovered that bridge was more than a game—it was a way to build connections across generations and cultures.
Through bridge, Tom met people of diverse ages and backgrounds, from fellow students to retirees and even notable figures. The game became a metaphor for partnership, mentorship, and community. Sharing strategies and stories at the bridge table mirrored the broader human experience of learning from others and supporting one another.
Tom emphasized the importance of seeking mentors and building bridges in life and career. He urged graduates to pay forward the support they received by mentoring others, responding to inquiries, and fostering relationships. Life is not a solitary journey; it is enriched by the bridges we build and maintain.
Conclusion: Carrying Amherst’s Spirit Forward
As Tom prepared to “return” the green to-go box, he invited his fellow graduates to reflect on what they would take away from Amherst and what they would give back to the world. Amherst, he reminded them, is not just a place or a moment in time but an eternal community of friends and shared values.
He encouraged his peers to remain “green” — open, curious, and a little uncertain — as they choose their paths. Quoting the poet Robert Frost, Tom celebrated the courage to take the road less traveled, a choice that “has made all the difference.”
With gratitude to college leadership, families, and classmates, Tom closed with a warm and humorous note, reminding everyone that while other commencements might feature Nobel laureates or famous characters, Amherst’s Class of 2025 had him—a young speaker with a big heart and three simple lessons to carry forward.
Final Thoughts: Lessons to Live By
Thomas Ye’s senior address is a compelling reminder that life’s most valuable lessons often come from unexpected places—a green to-go box, a challenging family ordeal, or a card game. His three lessons—Stay Green, Pickle, and Bridge—offer a framework for embracing life with openness, resilience, and connection.
For graduates stepping into the next chapter, and for anyone seeking meaning in change and challenge, these lessons inspire us to:
Stay Green: Keep the spirit of curiosity and kindness alive.
Pickle: Embrace hardship as a catalyst for growth.
Bridge: Build and nurture relationships that span generations and experiences.
By carrying these lessons “to-go,” we can navigate life’s uncertainties with courage and grace, just as Tom and his Amherst classmates have done.
