“I am somebody. I will strive. I will persevere. I will win, because we are the Dolphins.”
At the conclusion of each all-school assembly, these affirmations are repeated to the entire student body. The “I am Somebody” speech has become a tradition at Ocean Lakes and is led by health and physical education teacher Yolanda Boothe.
“As [she] speaks to the school community, her voice is strong and inspiring, creating a sense of unity and self-worth. Boothe leads with passion, making her words resonate throughout the assembly,” Principal Dr. Claire LeBlanc said.
Although the speech was introduced to the school by Ocean Lakes’ first football coach Jim Prince, it goes far beyond Ocean Lakes and was even featured in a Super Bowl LIX commercial recently.
“It shows togetherness,” Boothe said. “Remember, Dolphins swim in a pod as a family. We are a family of Dolphins here at Ocean Lakes.”
The original “I Am Somebody” poem was written by Rev. William Holmes Borders Sr., but was most famously recited by Rev. Jesse Jackson in his performances that focused on racial differences in the 1940s.
“What makes me feel amazing is watching the students joining in, yelling at the top of their lungs,” Boothe said.
When the speech is performed, students link arms and rock from side to side, sending a powerful feeling of unity throughout the gym.
“I feel proud and inspired when our whole school body recites, ‘I am Somebody’ at assemblies,” LeBlanc said. “Hundreds of voices declare their worth and strength.”
