‘Stay Green’: How Amherst’s Chinese Student Representative Thomas Ye Moved His Class with Tears and Laughter
At Amherst College’s 2025 commencement, dual-degree scholar Thomas Ye—majoring in Political Science and Mathematics—delivered a brief yet deeply moving address that left his peers laughing and wiping away tears. With infectious sincerity, he offered three guiding mottos for life beyond campus: “Stay Green,” “Be a Pickle,” and “Play Bridge.” Drawing on pandemic-era memories of green to-go boxes, his father’s courageous battle with cancer, and the unifying power of a bridge game, Thomas revealed how authenticity and courage define the Amherst spirit.
“Stay Green”: Preserving the Kindness of the Pandemic
In spring 2020, Amherst students could only dine safely outdoors in the signature green to-go boxes. Those boxes became more than mere containers—they were an icebreaker for nervous freshmen:
“I still remember carrying that green box across campus, spotting someone I didn’t know, and simply asking, ‘Hi—mind if I join you?’ That one question turned strangers into friends.”
For Thomas, that shared gesture symbolized curiosity and goodwill thriving even behind masks. As he reminded the Class of 2025, maintaining that “green” openness—an eagerness to greet newcomers and extend kindness—is essential long after caps are thrown.
“Be a Pickle”: Letting the Sour Forge Strength
Why a pickle? Thomas likened personal growth to the transformation of a cucumber:
Time and patience: A cucumber must be sliced, salted, and steeped before it becomes delightfully tangy.
Pain and perseverance: Recounting his father’s cancer diagnosis, surgery, and grueling recovery, he noted, “Each moment of pain was like brine working its magic—souring yet essential to the final sweetness.”
Without melodrama, Thomas showed that adversity “brines” our character, deepening resilience. He urged graduates to embrace hardships not as culprits but as the very process that matures and enriches life’s flavor.
“Play Bridge”: Building Partnerships That Last
As a sophomore, Thomas joined Amherst’s Bridge Club on a whim—and discovered a metaphor for teamwork:
“Winning a hand isn’t just about your own cards; it’s about trusting and interpreting your partner’s signals. After each game, we’d share stories—study tips, internship leads, even favors owed—and forge bonds stronger than any single strategy.”
Bridge demands communication, adaptability, and mutual respect—qualities Thomas argued are vital whether collaborating on research, launching a startup, or navigating life’s unexpected deals.
Choosing the Road Less Traveled
Quoting Robert Frost’s famous lines—“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by”—Thomas wove together his three lessons:
Stay Green kept him courageously reaching out in uncertain times.
Be a Pickle gave him the grit to weather family hardship.
Play Bridge instilled a belief in partnership and shared success.
That “road less traveled” was not lonely but rich with warmth, risk, and connection. As Amherst’s Class of 2025 disperses into the world, Thomas’s parting wisdom reminds us that true growth blossoms where kindness, resilience, and collaboration intersect.