HPHS Alum Delivers Student Commencement Speech at University of Illinois

For the last four years, Sheridan Metz has savored the experience of being a student in the College of Media at the University of Illinois. Graduating from the prestigious state school had always been a goal of hers.

But little did she know when enrolling as a recent Highland Park High School graduate in 2011 that she would one day address the crowd at commencement.

Metz was nominated to apply to be the sole student speaker at the College of Media’s graduation last weekend in Champaign. She did apply, and her speech was chosen from among 10 others as the one to present in front of the whole crowd of graduates, parents, faculty, staff and families.

“It was a bit surreal,” said Metz. “I was lined up with the faculty, ahead of all the other graduates, then gave my speech and sat down with everyone else.”

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The committee that reviewed the submissions was so impressed with Metz turned in, they didn’t make any changes.

“That really meant a lot to me,” said Metz. “That way I could truly feel like it was coming from the heart.”

Metz focused her speech around the digital age, and how students in the College of Media need to be abreast of all new the features as they come up.

“I started with a reference to the acronyms we all use online, tbt, Flashback Friday and how those symbolize where you are now in relation to where you were then,” she explains.

During the speech she said growing up as “digital natives” has “undoubtedly allowed us as students to gain new opportunities, but it has also brought on new expectations.

“In a world that seems to be endlessly advancing, we’re always told that, being in the profession of media, we always need to be on top of what is going on around us – we’re expected to check Twitter, use Facebook to our advantage, connect on Linked In, check so-and-so’s Instagram, send out that email blast or watch that new video on YouTube, and to always be one step ahead.”

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She added in a few memories, thank yous and hopes for the future and then came full circle at the end.

“At the end of today, as well as years from now, we should all be able to look back and say wow, #tbt to the best four years of our lives,” she concluded.

The speech was “a wonderful way for me to wrap up my time at the U of I,” she said. “I was actually surprised I was chosen, but it was a good surprise.”

Thus far the four years at the University have indeed been the best of Metz’ life. And the commencement speech is the highlight of those four years.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “I’ve developed such a good relationship with my professors, this just made graduation that much more meaningful.”

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Metz received a degree in Advertising and a Public Relations Certificate. But her experience in those fields predates her earning the degree.

Beginning during her high school years at HPHS, Metz helped cultivate a company, All Sports Series, founded by her older brother while he was a student at the University of Illinois.

Metz aspires to work in the public relations industry within the entertainment sector, looking specifically for work in either Chicago or Los Angeles, where she also has family.

“There is so much to be done in this industry; it involves so much ridicule and judgment, and I want to offer a fresh perspective and new insight, and ultimately re-instill a progressive and encouraging outlook to the pop culture we all have a love for,” she said. “I see it as something that draws us all in, something that unites everyone, and there is so much room for growth in this industry that can foster such a positive impact on our society.”

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