Welcome Class of 2021


Background music plays.


Usman Hameedi (off camera, speaking in slam-poetry style): The world needs you...


Video on screen: Four female students sit on the Great Lawn talking and laughing [inaudible].


Text on Screen: world needs you


Hameedi: to blossom into Phoenixes...


Video on screen: Close up video of female student sitting in an orientation circle.


Hameedi: and soar with the wingspan of your genius. Never fear...


Video on screen: Darkening sky with a sliver of moon and a balloon arch.


Text on screen: wingspan of your genius. 


Hameedi: flying into the unfamiliar.


Video on screen: Tight shot of the back of an orientation t-shirt that reads "Brandeis 'Deis Week" and the side profile of a female student.


Hameedi: The fact that you are sitting here now...


Video on Screen: As darkness begins to settle, a student looks directly at the camera while talking (inaudible) and sitting in an orientation circle with classmates.


Text on Screen: right now


Hameedi: means that the magic within you is already stronger than Expecto Patronum.


Video on screen: Tight shot of a luminary (white paper bag) with a blue candle inside. In the distance a row of similar luminaries are in view by a balloon arch outside of Shapiro Campus Center. Shot then pans to the Great Lawn where three orientation groups are sitting.


Text on Screen: already stronger


Hameedi: Because it is Emet, Truth unto its inner most parts. So be Brandeis bold.

Devise your own Dumbledore Army.


Video on screen: In a shot out of focus, the line of luminaries are seen again with a group of about 15 first-year students walking slowly by.


Text on screen: truth unto its inner most parts


Text on screen: Brandeis bold


Hameedi: Develop ambition...


Video on screen: Male student looks at camera and shows battery-operated candle with the word "hopeful" written in black ink on the base.


Hameedi: Define altruism...


Video on Screen: Female student holds lit battery-operated candle and looks down at it.


Hameedi: Defeat apathy...


Video on screen: Male student holds lit candle looks down, smiles and then looks back at the candle.


Hameedi: Dream absolute...


Video on screen: Female student holds lit candle looking directly at the camera


Hameedi: JK Rowling taught us that childhood does not end when books become...


Video on screen: Students slowly walking by camera smiling and talking (inaudible) and waving at camera.


Text on screen: childhood does not end


Hameedi: palms pressed together.


Video on screen: Three quick shots of three different groups of students looking up at a stage (off camera), listening.


Hameedi: Childhood ends when we stop believing in the magic in each heartbeat, the magic in being alive, the magic in defying expectations.


Video on screen: The entire Class of 2021 stands looking at the Light of Reason (an on-campus art installation comprising over a dozen oversized street lamps) in the dark with their backs turned to the camera. Slowly, they raise their candles above their heads.


Text on screen: Magic


Text on screen: Magic


Text on screen: Magic


Hameedi: You...


Video on screen: Female student smiles, with blue candlelight illuminating her face.


Text on screen: You


Hameedi: are the protagonist of your own story.


Video on screen: Class of 2021 stands together looking up at a stage.


Text on screen: your own story


Hameedi: Cast Stardust across the heavens and...


Video on screen: Slow pan of crowd holding up candles to reveal the Light of Reason also with the lights on.


Hameedi: glisten like the midnight Robe of Justice.


Video on screen: Tight shot of candles being placed by students at the base of the Light of Reason. Tight, moving shot of candles at the base of the sculpture.


Hameedi: Class of 2021, welcome to Brandeis University.


Video on screen: Tight shot of candles flickering at base of sculpture.


Text on screen: Class of 2021


Hameedi: This is Our House.


Video on screen: Light of Reason with the lights on and no one filling the space.


Text on screen: this is our house


Text on screen (fade to black): Welcome home. Brandeis University 


Text on screen: Slam poem by Usman Hameedi '12 "Brandeis the Original Hogwarts" (This is our House 2017)