Application to be the 2022 Graduation Student Speaker
LAHC Invites graduating students from the Class of 2022 to apply to be the student speaker at the graduation ceremony, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 10 am. It is an honor to be selected to present the student commencement address and convey a message of inspiration, encouragement, share common experiences and insights, and to inspire your fellow graduates to be a proud Seahawk and make a difference in the world.
If you would like to audition to be the 2022 Graduation Student Speaker, please scan the QR Code below:
Or:
1. Submit an Application HERE
2. Prepare and submit to lahcgraduation@lahc.edu a 2–3-minute original speech based on "Education Changes Everything."
3. Submit your resume to lahcgraduation@lahc.edu
Application Deadline: April 25, 2022 – 5 pm
Submitting your original speech and resume deadline: April 25, 2022 – 5 pm
Auditions
Friday, April 29, 2022
Time: Afternoon – Students will be scheduled
Location: TBA – you will be notified via email
Eligibility
Graduating students interested in delivering the commencement address must meet these criteria:
- Be eligible for graduation for the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 semesters.
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Commit to attend and participate fully in the commencement ceremony, including in- person practice sessions.
Guidelines
- Discuss the transformative power of education.
- Include examples from collegiate life such as common coursework (general education classes), co-curricular involvement (programs, activities, college-life involvement, and service in the community.
- Include significant events that have shaped your life during college. Avoid references that are unique to personal experience unless they provide insights into an extraordinary life lesson valuable to your listeners.
- A variety of emotional content is always welcome in a speech. Humor is useful as well as a serious tone, as well as joy and sorrow. You do not have to include all of these, but emotional monotony can make for a difficult listening experience.
Submission Process
Eligible and interested students are required to submit an online application. This application must include a written draft of intended speech and your resume. The address should be 2-3 minutes in length, which translates to approximately 400-500 words or 2-3 double-spaced, typed pages. Speeches and resume are to be submitted to lahcgraudation@lahc.edu by Monday, April 25, 2022, 5 pm.
Selection Process
A selection committee will review entries and will select finalists who will be invited to an audition. One student speaker will be selected for the graduation ceremony. The selected speaker is expected to practice their speech and delivery and participation in rehearsal.
The selection committee will consider the following when making their selection of student speakers:
- Clarity of ideas
- Appeal to a broad audience & common experience at Harbor
- Quality of speech content
- Length of presentation (appropriate word length)
- Extent to which the speech represents the mission and values of Harbor
- Speaker's delivery – well prepared, engaging, vocal variety, animated delivery, stage presence
- Taking into account the above criterion the committee will also seek a diverse representation.
Final Selection
The selection committee will notify the finalist no later than one week after the auditions are completed. The selection committee will also notify unsuccessful applicants at this time. The selected speaker will work with a coach to refine their speech and delivery.
If you have any questions, please contact us 310.233.4010 or via email at lahcgraduation@lahc.ed.
Important Dates/Reminders
- Please RSVP to the Ceremony
- April 15 – April 25 - Application opens
- April 25 - Application closes – 5 pm
- April 29 – Student Auditions
- May 6 – Selected Speaker must submit a picture and brief bio to Sylvia Files @ filesss@lahc.edu
- June 6 – Graduation Rehearsal 10 am and 3 pm
- June 7 – Graduation Ceremony – 10 am
Selected Graduation Student Speaker Receives:
- Recognition in the program
- Are part of the Platform Party
- Takes picture with graduates as well as Faculty and Staff
- Student and family (4) are invited to the morning reception with Faculty
- Receive VIP Parking (2 vehicle limit)
- Family members (limit 4) are seated in the VIP section on the grass field with graduates
- Graduate and Family (4) are invited to the after-graduation reception.