On May 9, OHS administration announced the two commencement speakers for the Class of 2025: seniors Rosalina Sanchez-Lemus and Erin Baker. These speakers were selected after a competitive audition process in which participants demonstrated their public speaking skills and potential message. Sanchez-Lemus and Baker are now preparing to address the Class of 2025 at the commencement ceremony on June 6.
The audition process began with a call to the OHS senior class. Each senior was given the opportunity to sign up for commencement speaker auditions through their emails. Auditions took place on May 8. Eight students auditioned for the opportunity. Candidates were expected to present a complete 3-5 minute speech for judging by staff members.
Six staff members were enlisted to judge auditions: Ms. Hollie Jeska, Ms. Marcia Anderson, Mr. Michael Weber, Ms. Polly Shives, Mr. William Blechschmidt and Mr. Brandon Noble. Speakers were judged on their presentation as well as their message’s relevance to the occasion and the Class of 2025.
Principal Mr. Kory Kath said, “What happens every year is that there’s something that appeals to the judges on whether it will speak to the Class of 2025 or whatever graduating class. They always see some rise to the top because of that.”
Sanchez-Lemus hopes to reach her classmates through a speech on mistakes and their role in a successful life. She aims to show the Class of 2025 that mistakes are an essential part of growth.
In addition to her main message, Sanchez-Lemus is bringing a new and unique approach to her speech. She is fluent in Spanish, so Sanchez-Lemus will be translating parts of her speech for Spanish-speaking audience members. She said that being a member of the Latino community is an important part of her identity and hopes to represent that well in her speech.
Sanchez-Lemus said, “I hope thzat my Spanish can help students and families feel more included since this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for us all to soak up.”
Baker’s speech is a reflection of the strong communities within OHS. She was inspired to audition for the commencement speaker position by her involvement and the home she found these last four years because of it. Baker is a captain of robotics, mock trial and speech.
Baker said, “Robotics mainly inspired my speech because that’s where I found my home… I hope that people take away that, even if they haven’t found their home here, that they can still find it in their future. There are people out there who can be your family, even if it’s not by blood.”
At commencement, Sanchez-Lemus will speak first followed by Baker. The Class of 2025’s commencement ceremony will take place on June 6 at 7 p.m. at the OHS Federated Field. The rain date is June 8 at 7 p.m.
