Justin Chenette

As students head home for the summer, across stages, with diplomas and award certificates firmly in hand, it’s a perfect opportunity to share some words of wisdom for the next generation.

When I speak to students at senior assemblies, promotion ceremonies and classrooms, I remind them about the importance of being true to themselves. Confidence can be hard to come by when navigating young adulthood, figuring out what you are interested in and developing interpersonal relationships. There are more and more pressures on young people from society and self.

The two most powerful words in the universe are “I am.” When said with conviction, they can be grounding words. Here’s my trick to help empower yourself. This can be a universal homework assignment for all ages, a perfect positive affirmation.

Stand in front of mirror alone. Just you and your conscious. Look into your eyes. Think about any negative feelings you have about yourself. Maybe it’s something perceived by others or something you’ve long held about yourself.

Then turn it into the positive. I AM BEAUTIFUL. I AM SMART. I AM WORTH IT.

The biggest obstacle in life is usually that little voice instead your head that tells you that you can’t. You can overcome that, break down the barriers and set a positive tone in your life. While you can’t control how other people view you or treat you, you can control how you respond to it and feel about yourself. Everything else is irrelevant if you don’t feel good in the skin you’re in.

For students entering a new school this Fall, put yourself 100% in the moment. Absorb every experience whether it be setting up your new locker in high school to moving into your dorm room at college. Sign up for that extracurricular activity that looks interesting. Try out for the sport you’ve always loved from afar. Play an instrument. Become editor of the yearbook or school paper.

As a student at Thornton Academy, I thrived in taking the off-the-beaten-path approach. I found my voice and passion by taking the initiative myself.

At extracurricular activities like Thornton Academy’s television station, I took on leadership roles in front of the camera and behind the scenes in management. I lived and breathed TV production. No where else would I get an opportunity like this to fully immerse myself in a field I was interested in. It was the perfect training ground, not just for college, but for the “real world.” I even spent my lunch breaks in the studio working on the next show or editing the last. This conviction and work ethic led to me being named the National Student Broadcast Journalist of the Year by the Student Television Network. All because I said yes when a teacher asked if I might be interested in taking a class. Say yes to the experience. Say yes to taking on challenges.

College was no different. I took on a remote job at a TV station in Portland, while taking classes at my college in Vermont. I booked guests for a morning show late at night and early in the morning in between doing homework assignments and studying. It wasn’t ideal. It was definitely hard work, but was ultimately critical to setting myself apart from my peers who simply waited around for instructions, advice, and direction from an advisor or professor. Don’t wait for someone to lead you. Lean in.

Taking advantage of every opportunity, either when a door opens or creating the opportunity yourself when it doesn’t exist, is critical to establishing a successful path toward the future. This is a magical time in your life to explore and discover. What you do now lays the foundation for the rest of your life. You have the time now to try things out, fail and try again.

It’s OK if you don’t have everything figured out, but the only way you are going to find a path that is right for you is to get engaged and take charge of your life. The only person responsible for its outcomes are you and you alone. This is your moment.

For all the students out there, I believe that this community is behind you 100%. We are all rooting for your success and are here to support you every step of your journey.

— Justin Chenette is serving his second term in the State Senate representing Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and Buxton. He chairs the Government Oversight Committee, co-chairs the Democracy Reform Caucus, and serves on the Environment & Natural Resources Committee. He is also a Citizen Trade Policy Commissioner. Outside the legislature, Justin is a Realtor with the Bean Group and is the Vice President of Saco Main Street.