"Don't be afraid to ask for help"

By Cindy Cantrell
Globe correspondent

In her student commencement address on June 5, 21-year-old Mona Minkara of Hingham encouraged her fellow 572 graduates of Wellesley College’s Class of 2009 to demonstrate kindness and empathy in their lives. Without those qualities, the legally blind chemistry and Middle Eastern studies double major said, she wouldn’t have graduated.

‘‘From my fellow classmates who helped me with my reading each day to professors who met with me regularly to go over concepts and were willing to adjust their teaching techniques, I was never alone in my journey,’’ said Minkara, who said she spent most of her school years prior to college being bored in special education classes. ‘‘Their kindness and generosity have inspired me to strive to help others.’’

Minkara was selected for her honor through a written and oral competition. A former president of Al-Muslimat, Wellesley College’s Muslim student group, Minkara will conduct chemistry research this summer through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant.

‘‘In life, you can do whatever you want to do,’’ she said. ‘‘Just don’t be afraid to ask for help.’’