Hello and good afternoon, President Saller, Provost Designate Martinez, Vice Provost Church, Dean Shaw, Dean Hicks, faculty, trustees, and, most importantly, our newest additions to the Stanford community: first-year students, transfers, and your families. Let’s hear a loud round of applause for all our new students!

My name is Johan Sotelo, and as a junior from the Class of 2025, it’s an honor to stand before you today and welcome YOU to Stanford! You’ve made it here, congratulations!

Looking out at all of you, I’m reminded of my own excitement, ambition, and, let’s be honest, a touch of anxiety when I was in your shoes. It’s perfectly normal to arrive here with a mixture of emotions and a head full of plans.

Two years ago, that was me: the planner, the over-thinker, the one trying to “major in everything.” But if there’s one thing that I have learned that I want to share with you today, it is to embrace uncertainty in order to discover your path here at Stanford.

Let me tell you, Stanford is a place where you’ll not only encounter the unknown but thrive in it. I learned this lesson in many ways during the first half of my time at Stanford, and I’d like to share a few of those moments with you.

My first experience came from taking an unexpected course in my frosh fall quarter. Eager to explore, I enrolled in a political science course in data science that intrigued me. A few weeks into the class, I realized I was the only frosh among 60 students. Initially, this was intimidating, but instead of feeling discouraged, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself in an area I knew nothing about. It was hard, but I was actually enjoying myself in the course. But I knew I needed some help.

As someone who has always been a bit shy about asking for help, at first I wasn’t sure how to seek out the many resources around me. I started by visiting my professor during office hours. And it turned out that he was happy to meet me and eager to help! Those meetings became invaluable. I learned so much from my professor in my weekly stops to his office, not just about navigating course material, but about other fascinating topics he would share with me. This experience affirmed what I’ve come to understand about Stanford faculty: They don’t just teach here; they guide, mentor, and inspire. Take advantage of that.

Last winter quarter, I went to Madrid, Spain, for the first time to study abroad. This new adventure wasn’t about learning in a classroom; it was about immersing myself in a culture vastly different from my own.

But adjusting to a new environment didn’t just happen overnight. In Madrid, I found myself lost more times than I care to admit. Whether it was using a different health care system when I got sick, or adapting to a unique academic setting, every day was a lesson in flexibility and open-mindedness.

Over time, I became more adaptable, more attentive, and more appreciative of the nuances that make a culture unique. It was in these moments of newness and uncertainty that I found new dimensions of myself.

Just as I had to navigate the streets of Madrid and adapt to the Spanish lifestyle, many of you will find yourselves adapting to a whole new culture and way of life here at Stanford. Give yourself time to adjust to Stanford, and I know you will find your footing here, and even come to cherish the little things that make Stanford special. Studying abroad taught me that sometimes the most profound learning and personal growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and ask for help. Whether it’s adapting to your next few years here or exploring opportunities abroad, the journey itself and the support you get along the way is a critical part of your education.

And finally, I wanted to be sure to talk about one of the most remarkable aspects of Stanford: its sense of community. Coming into my frosh year, like many of you, I wondered: Will I find my people? Will there be a group where I truly fit in and belong? During my frosh winter, I discovered Stanford Concert Network, a student group I had never heard of and didn’t know a single member. But there was something about the energy, the friendship, and the shared passion for music that drew me in. So I embraced the unknown, dove in, and gave it a try.

I got to work with agents, budget musical acts, and support putting on a massive concert right here in Frost Amphitheater. I’ve always been backstage – this is my first time here on the center stage! Before I knew it, I was not just a member, but also deeply involved in the leadership of the group, making lasting friendships and collaborating on projects that spoke to my heart. As I look forward to my junior year, I am thrilled to be serving as the director of a student organization that gets to put on memorable events for the Stanford community.

Stanford is a mosaic of experiences, opportunities, and memories waiting to be made. Lean into the unfamiliar. Welcome the challenge. Embrace the uncertainty, and know that in doing so, you’re not only crafting your own unique Stanford narrative but also embarking on a journey of personal growth.

In the words of the Spanish proverb I learned in a café in Madrid: Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar. “Traveler, there is no path; the path is made by walking.”

Class of 2027 and Transfers: Here’s to forging your unique path at Stanford. Welcome to your new home!