mmarincic posted on May 20, 2011 12:50
Two seniors and a singing group were chosen to present along with the valedictorian and salutatorian at the commencement ceremony May 29 at the University of Findlay’s Koehler Center.
Speeches will relate to the senior class quote, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, dream for tomorrow,” attributed to scientist Albert Einstein.
“Students perform the speech they want to give at graduation in front of a group of teachers and administrators who rate them on things such as originality, adherence to the theme, variety, gestures and rate of speaking,” communications teacher Debbie Benson said.
Senior Tim Sherman was chosen for his use of the theme by focusing on two main aspects of Einstein’s quote.
“I’m really going to emphasize seeing the world not as the cruel place that society makes it, but rather as the beautiful place we can make it into,” Sherman said. “I’m also going to encourage everyone to never stop dreaming because some people think that they have limits when there’s really nothing that they can’t do.”
Future career dreams involving public speaking were part of the inspiration for senior Alecia Frankart to audition.
“I wanted to be a graduation speaker because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Frankart said. “I also hope to someday have some career where I’ll be a public speaker, so practice is always beneficial.”
Seniors Lauren Franks, Brady Miller and Abby Essinger will put a spin on the traditional speeches by performing the song I’m Not Gonna Cry by Corey Smith.
“The whole song talks about graduation and friends being there for each other,“ Franks said. “It represents the bittersweet feeling of graduation really well, with the sadness of everyone leaving, but also the happiness of having everyone there together.”