Commencement Speaker

The Student Commencement Speaker is an honorary participant of the graduation ceremony, and provides a 5-minute speech that serves to inspire and honor graduating students.    

Eligibility:

To be considered as the Student Commencement Speaker, the student must have:

  •  Petitioned to graduate for the 2024 ceremony year (summer or fall 2023, spring or summer 2024) 

Speaker & Speech Requirements:

  • Provides a speech no longer than 5 minutes in length
  • Is an engaging speaker, able to relate to the graduating student and their families/supporters
  • Provide remarks to commemorate the year, the graduating class, and serve to positively inspire graduates
  • Sits on stage during the Commencement ceremony, must arrive to the Ceremony one hour early. 
     
  • Application period is January 16 - March 8, 2024.
    • Interested students submit application via online form by March 10, 2023.
    • On March 11, 2024 applicants are emailed link to sign up for audition time on March 22. 

  • Student Commencement Speaker Audition– March 22, 2024
    • All candidates audition with 5 minute Commencement Speech.
    • Audition panel will be students recruited from ASCC/ICC.
    • 3 finalists chosen to speak before the Student Life Committee.  Candidates will be notified of their status by the end of the day, via email.

  • Student Commencement Speaker Finalist Audition – April 4, 2024 – 1pm – AP 11
    • 3 finalists provide speech to Student Life Committee.
    • Finalists will be notified by April 5, 2024 if they have been selected.  Once selected candidate confirms other finalists will be notified they were not selected.

To apply:

  • Submit the 2024 Commencement Student Speaker Application online.
  • Following closing of the application, all applicants will receive an email containing the link to sign up for an audition time on March 22nd.


If you have questions please contact Commencement@cerritos.edu. 

Student Speaker Rubric (score 0-10 per area, and also rank the candidates) 

1. Delivery:

  • Vocal variety
  • Eye contact 
  • Stage presence 
  • Professional impression 

2. Speech Content:

  • On topic - graduation speech: encouraging, inspirational 
  • Relatable and appropriate to audience – graduates, families/supporters 

3. Organization:

  • Stays on topic throughout 
  • Speech progress (start, middle, end, i.e. no ‘rambling’) 
  • Time management 
  • Use of transitions