Ivy Female Orator Jenna Martin | Harvard Commencement 2014

Transcript

ANTHONY PALOLA: Good afternoon seniors, friends, family, and loved ones joining us here today. Thank you to Raina and Basil for their touching and beautiful remarks. My name is Anthony Palola, and I am one of the 2014 senior Class Marshals. I am honored and excited to be introducing Quincy House native and a good friend, Jenna Martin, as our 2014 F... Read More

Summary

This video is a graduation speech given by Jenna Martin, a 2014 Harvard graduate. She reflects on her time at Harvard and shares her thoughts on the future. She talks about the various advisors and mentors she had during her time at Harvard and raises questions about the future and whether she has peaked in college. She also encourages her fellow graduates to embrace the uncertainty and challenges that lie ahead.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Jenna Martin's background and involvement at Harvard?

Jenna Martin is originally from Los Angeles, California. At Harvard, she was an English concentrator, the head writer of an on-campus comedic news show called "On Harvard Time," and a member of the Lampoon lit staff. She was also involved with sketch comedy and interned at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The New Yorker.

Q: What are some of the questions that Jenna Martin raises in her speech?

Jenna Martin raises questions like whether the clubs she joined in college will be enough to convince her future children that she used to be cool, whether her concentration will have any application in the real world, and if she has peaked in college.

Q: How does Jenna Martin feel about having had multiple advisors during her time at Harvard?

Jenna Martin expresses gratitude for all her advisors but mentions that having many advisors can feel overwhelming. She humorously compares her situation to Luke Skywalker defeating the Empire with only one advisor who had inconvenient office hours and never offered a mini Mr. Goodbar.

Q: What does Jenna Martin think about the future after graduation?

Jenna Martin acknowledges that the future can be intimidating and uncertain, but she also believes that there is a chance for each graduate to find their passion and fulfill their potential. She encourages her fellow graduates to embrace their uniqueness and authenticity.

Q: Who does Jenna Martin consider her favorite Harvard graduate?

Jenna Martin admires John Adams as her favorite Harvard graduate, despite his life turning out differently from what he expected after graduation. She sees him as an inspiration and compares him humorously to the "Yale of presidents."

Q: What is Jenna Martin's overall message to the class of 2014?

Jenna Martin's message to the class of 2014 is that they shouldn't worry about whether they have peaked in college. She believes that they have the potential to accomplish great things and that graduation allows them to share their unique qualities with others.

Q: How does Jenna Martin feel about graduation day?

Jenna Martin feels a mix of sadness and uncertainty on graduation day. She is aware that this may be the end of a chapter where she could be completely herself and have friends who appreciate her quirks. However, she also sees it as an opportunity for growth and the chance to find new environments where she can be fulfilled.

Q: What advice does Jenna Martin give to her fellow graduates?

Jenna Martin advises her fellow graduates to embrace the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. She encourages them to believe in themselves and their abilities, even if they can't control everything in the future. She also emphasizes the importance of finding inspiration in others and being inspired by those who think highly of them.

Q: What does Jenna Martin say about the Harvard gen ed requirements and activity fairs?

Jenna Martin humorously mentions that the Harvard gen ed requirements and activity fairs are like characters who think they can change her. She jokes that she can't be changed and reflects on her concentration in English and her involvement in comedy-related clubs.

Q: What does Jenna Martin say about the graduation ceremony?

Jenna Martin shares her thoughts on graduation ceremonies, acknowledging that many people might find them dull. She compares attending a graduation ceremony to going to a wedding with many couples when you only care about one couple. She humorously acknowledges the presence of esteemed professors and hopes that they are playing a drinking game to get through the ceremony.

Takeaways

In her graduation speech, Jenna Martin reflects on her time at Harvard and raises questions about the future. She shares her doubts about whether she has peaked in college and discusses the various advisors she had during her time at Harvard. She encourages her fellow graduates to embrace the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead. Overall, her speech serves as a reminder that there is still much to learn and accomplish beyond college.