Libertyville High gives all seniors a shot at speech

For nearly a century, the task of summarizing four years of learning and yearning at Libertyville High School has fallen to the class president and valedictorian.

But there will be a different voice at the Class of 2010 graduation ceremony. Since the valedictorian designation disappeared along with class rankings, a new tradition is about to begin.

The call has gone out and any senior interested in giving a speech has until April 23 to submit a written version for review.

"It will be sort of a historical thing," said Jennifer Paul, student activities director.

The class president still will have a spot on the podium.

Details of what will be expected are being finalized. But there will be some givens for the applicants: The speech will be screened and hopefuls will have to deliver it live during an audition of sorts.

"We want to make sure what is said up there is appropriate and the delivery is good," Paul said.

The opportunity was announced March 26, just before spring break, with a "stay tuned" item in the school's daily bulletin. That is being updated.

Paul said this will be the first time in the history of the school, which began in 1916 as Libertyville Township High School, the speech will be open to all students. While there will be leeway, chances of any controversial utterances are unlikely.

"Usually, it's sort of a send-off. Maybe there are words of wisdom in there. Maybe there is reflection on the last four years," Paul explained.

"My own philosophy is that I don't want it to be so rigid and structured that you lose creativity among the students."

Eliminating class rank and the traditional valedictorian and salutatorian honors for graduating seniors has become common among high schools.

Supporters say colleges take a broader approach in admissions and consider other factors, such as course selection, so doing away with rank levels the playing field for good students.

Warren Township High School in early 2008 moved away from grade point averages and class rank. The Gurnee school for a third year is holding open applications for graduation speakers as a way to recognize more students.

"Just because you're the valedictorian or the salutatorian of your class doesn't necessarily mean you're a good speaker," said Carolyn Waller, spokeswoman for Warren Township High School District 121.

"You can tell these kids are speaking from the heart," she said of the speakers who've been chosen.

Since 2002, Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire has selected two student speakers for graduation.

"One speaker is meant to be forward-looking; the other is supposed to be retrospective," said Jim Conrey, Stevenson spokesman.

Not all schools have gone that route. Mundelein High School, for example, reinstated the valedictorian and salutatorian recognitions in 2004 after nine years without them.

Besides those two, a third student is selected to give a farewell speech, according to spokesman Ron Girard.

"We actually had auditions for that," he said.