She didn’t somersault, tuck, or handspring onto the Commencement stage clad in academic attire, but Simone Biles undeniably jumped into the hearts of the Class of 2025, presenting an unforgettable keynote speech at WashU’s 164th Commencement ceremony.
“I would probably feel more at ease if they had permitted me to vault onto the stage and perform a little floor routine,” remarked Biles, one of the most adorned gymnasts in history with 11 Olympic medals — seven gold — and 30 world championship honors.
However, once she arrived at the podium — a gold, WashU-branded stand crafted just for her petite 4-foot-8 stature — she commandeered it like the champion she is, delighting the more than 3,600 graduates along with their families and friends who gathered on May 12 at a drenched Francis Olympic Field on Washington University in St. Louis’ Danforth Campus.
A gentle, persistent rain in the hours leading up to the ceremony made umbrellas and transparent ponchos as common for the graduates — and their guests — as WashU’s recognizable green academic garb, yet the rain did not dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. The stadium erupted into cheers the instant Biles stepped through the Francis Field entrance, her radiant smile illuminating the massive screens that bordered the stage.
As the rainfall subsided, Biles addressed the audience for nearly 15 minutes, interrupted by cheers and applause numerous times while delivering a speech that felt personal to each member of the Class of 2025. “The world doesn’t require you to be flawless,” she stated. “It needs you to be courageous, to care, and to persist even when circumstances do not unfold as anticipated.”
To persist. That was a sentiment mirrored by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, who also urged the Class of 2025 to embrace the courage and leadership traits for which each of them, by virtue of being WashU alumni, inherently possessed. “Perhaps you’ve been leading all along, whether you recognized it or not,” Martin stated. “The world you’re entering requires you to acknowledge that capability, to continue cultivating it, and to exercise it with bravery.”
A blueprint for achievement
Biles, affectionately known as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), conveyed to the class that greatness, along with the prestigious title that followed, was never her aim. “My intention was to be the ‘Greatest Simone Biles of All Time,’” she expressed. “It has always centered around me being the finest version of Simone I can be, and I am incredibly proud to say I’ve adhered to that.
“And that’s all you need to do as well,” she continued. “Show up and be the best you.
“We are not solely celebrating the diploma you are obtaining — we are also honoring you for the effort you’ve invested, for all the sacrifices you’ve made to arrive here, and for all the obstacles you have conquered.”
Biles then outlined a blueprint for how each member of the class could attain unique greatness.
“Be consistent in showing up for yourself,” she advised. “Engage in something every day that challenges you. Commit the effort on the days you feel out of place. When you are consistent, when you bring your best to your practice daily, you will be prepared for significant moments.”
Secondly, she emphasized the value of creativity in decision-making. “Regardless of your objectives or what field you’re working in, prioritize your innovative thinking,” Biles advised. “Because no one’s success, and I mean no one’s, is linear. If Plan B fails, then create a Plan C, and there’s still the rest of the alphabet.”
Thirdly, she highlighted the necessity of prioritizing mental health. “Be aware and care for your complete self,” she stated, words particularly resonant given that Biles famously withdrew from competition during the 2020 Beijing Olympics, a decision praised by mental-health professionals for its maturity and foresight. “Work should not consume your life,” she said. “Dedicate quality time to yourself and prioritize your mental well-being just as much as your physical health. Rely on your friends and family who energize your joy and rejuvenate your spirit.”
And when presented with opportunities for leadership, Biles encouraged the graduates to seize each and every one. “Keep an eye on the past as you forge a path for those who look up to you,” she advised. “During my struggles, when the world witnessed my falls or failures, I’d think of the children at my gym and all the young individuals who admired me. What would I convey to them if they were in my situation?
“I’d offer words of encouragement. I’d remind them that a moment does not define a person. I’d advise them to get back out there. I’d tell them it’s acceptable to take time to breathe, to rest, and to reset.”
Get back out there. That’s the bravery that Martin referenced as well, concluding the ceremony and quoting British author and scholar C.S. Lewis. “(Lewis) stated: ‘Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of virtue at the testing point,’” Martin shared. “Your principles matter most when you’re challenged. Your character is revealed not when leadership is easy, but when it demands sacrifice.
“My hope for you, graduates, is that whatever paths you choose in life, you dedicate yourselves to being leaders capable of merging clear purpose with steadfast values,” Martin articulated.
“The world doesn’t require you to be flawless,” Biles concluded. “It needs you to be courageous, to care, and to persist even when circumstances do not unfold as anticipated. So go out there and craft your own narrative — one that only you can narrate.”
Read Chancellor Andrew Martin’s message to the Class of 2025.
View Simone Biles’ Commencement address. Read her remarks here.
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