Commencement Address: Valedictorian Angelina Somma ’24 ’26g (May 18, 2025)
Hello, welcome President Wheeler, faculty, staff, honored guests, family, friends and students. Before I begin, I would first like to thank my professors, friends, family, teammates, coaches, and the athletic administration. I would not be up here today if it was not for their continued support and success. Second, I would like to especially thank my mom, dad, Isabella and Matteo. It is because of their sacrifices and support that I had the opportunity to pursue higher education and a career that I am passionate about. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Chloe Jeffares, Candela Sandoval, Naomi Levey, Nicholas Brown, and Abigail Keiser, my roommates, teammates, and some of my best friends. I look back fondly on the last four years because of the five of you.
In December 2024, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in adolescence education with a concentration in social studies. Upon my graduation, I felt elated at the prospect of having my own classroom and extremely confident in my skills. Soon after graduation I received a position teaching 9th grade global history to English as a Second Language students. On my first day of work, I naively thought that I had everything under control. During my undergraduate experience I had the pleasure of learning from experienced and passionate professors. However, there is no lecture that could fully prepare me for the chaos that is 30 14-year-olds in one classroom.
My first couple of months in the real world are categorized by a plethora of failures and scattered moments of self–doubt. I can still feel the intense dread I felt the first time a student refused to move their seat or attempted to derail my meticulously planned lesson. However, with this failure and self–doubt also came moments of growth and intense gratification. There are few better feelings than watching a student achieve milestones they once doubted they would reach.
Within the next couple of months all of you will pursue a new job or educational opportunities. I can almost guarantee you that your first couple of months will include a plethora of failures and scattered moments of self-doubt. However, just like our bachelor’s degrees, nothing worth having ever comes easy. So, take those feelings as opportunities for reflection and growth and hold onto the moments of intense gratification.
Congratulations to the graduating class and best of luck in your future endeavors!