18-Year-Old Vivek Ramaswamys High School Speech: Reflecting on Life’s Journey as He Prepares for Major Role with Elon Musk in US Government Efficiency
Vivek Ramaswamys High School Speech: An old video has emerged showing 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy delivering a powerful commencement speech at St Xavier High School, a moment that foreshadowed the influential path he would later carve out. With confidence and wisdom beyond his years, Ramaswamy urged his classmates to reflect on the meaning of life’s milestones—a speech that resonates now as he readies to take on a new role alongside Elon Musk in the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) starting January next year.
In the clip shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), Ramaswamy shared a profound sentiment: “I have been racing my entire high school career,” he said, adding, “but now, when we are finally crossing the finish line, I wish I could have stopped, just a little earlier, to catch a breath of the fresh air around me.” This reflection on the rush of ambition and the value of pausing to appreciate life has drawn the attention of many, especially as he prepares to tackle one of the most ambitious projects in the federal government.
The Meaning of ‘Commencement’ According to Ramaswamy
During the speech, Ramaswamy pondered the very meaning of “commencement,” noting its origins in French, where it means “to begin,” a striking contrast to how it marks the end of school for many. “So, which is it really?” he asked his audience. “The climactic ending or simply the launch pad for what comes next?”
This rhetorical question seemed to capture the hearts of his classmates and hints at his own life philosophy—a perspective that has undoubtedly shaped his journey from student speaker to biotech entrepreneur and soon-to-be leader at DOGE. For Ramaswamy, the answer, he suggested, lies in examining their shared experiences at St Xavier. The school years, he emphasized, were merely “the beginning of a much larger journey.”
Ramaswamy’s Journey: From High School to Harvard, Hedge Funds, and Beyond
Vivek Ramaswamy’s journey began in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born on August 9, 1985, to Tamil-speaking Brahmin parents from Kerala. Raised with a mix of traditions, he attended a Roman Catholic high school while frequently visiting a Hindu temple in Dayton, Ohio. This cultural blend likely contributed to his wide-reaching perspective, one that he further honed through an education at Harvard, where he earned a biology degree, followed by Yale Law School.
Even as a young professional, Ramaswamy showed a rare entrepreneurial drive. After working as a hedge fund investor and making millions before even finishing his degree at Yale, he founded Roivant Sciences in 2014. The biotech company gained significant attention by purchasing patents for underdeveloped drugs, helping to bring new treatments to market. His leadership and business acumen led Roivant to success, and Ramaswamy stepped down as CEO in 2021. By 2023, he had amassed an estimated net worth of $630 million, according to Forbes.
The Path Ahead: Leading DOGE with Elon Musk
Ramaswamy’s path from St Xavier’s high school auditorium to co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with tech giant Elon Musk is nothing short of remarkable. His journey, rooted in a sense of purpose and a call to reflect on life’s meanings, is about to take a turn into government reform—a role that could redefine bureaucracy in the United States. Ramaswamy’s high school reflection on “the finish line” versus “the launch pad” now feels especially poignant as he prepares to take on the DOGE role, marking a new beginning with vast implications for government efficiency.
As Vivek Ramaswamy prepares to join forces with Musk, his words from years ago at St Xavier—about the journey rather than the destination—echo back with renewed significance, offering a glimpse of the thoughtful leadership he may bring to this unique venture.
