By: Jade Bastian
Taking up the mantle of commencement speaker is no easy feat. However, Juliette Stratis, a senior majoring in communications management and the 2019 undergraduate commencement speaker, found the decision to be quite easy.
Influenced and inspired by her sorority sister and the 2018 commencement speaker Cassidy Whitaker, Stratis believes that this is an amazing opportunity to vie for.
“I hope that my speech is impactful, Cassidy Whitaker, last year’s commencement speaker, is one of my best friends and sorority sisters and she really inspired and urged me to [contend]for this amazing opportunity,” said Stratis.
Involvement plays a vital role in the integration of students into the Saint Leo community and plays a pivotal role in the college experience.
Stratis found a family with her involvement in the Executive Board of the Student Government Union. Credit: Saint Leo SGU
Stratis mentioned the highlights of her time at Saint Leo. One of her highlights was first joining her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau. Through the sisterhood found within the organization, Stratis found more than friends but created a separate family within University Campus.
Stratis continued to recount her highlights saying, “It was [also]through the endless amounts of leadership opportunities offered such as SGU.”
Stratis referred her position as Vice President of Communications Management on the SGU Executive Board. She recounted her most powerful experience at the University involved her role in SGU.
“The most influential experience I had at Saint Leo was holding the role of Vice President of Communication Management for Student Government Union Executive Board,” said Stratis. “I learned so much about leadership, communication, and relationships, and found a new family on campus within SGU.”
Stratis also said the best moments of her time spent at SLU involved the people at the University.
“These are the people who have been with me every moment of my journey, and these are the ones who make leaving Leo so hard,” she said.
Within her role as V.P. of Communications Management Stratis had many memorable experiences. Credit: Saint Leo SGU
Just as many students are inspired by family, friends and the desire for more in their lives, Stratis is encouraged by a strong force, her mother.
“My mom has been my greatest motivator through everything. My mom has shown so much strength, and has raised me to be both confident and determined,” said Stratis.
As many of the commencement speakers before her, Stratis’ eyes are set on the impact her voice will have on graduation day. She also mentioned her expected impact of her speech.
“I want to connect through our experiences throughout our four years here, talk about our future and how excited I am to see where it takes all of us, and also to recognize how big of a day, today is and to celebrate that with all of them,” said Stratis.
After graduation, Stratis hopes to stay within the Tampa area, grabbing a place of her own and working in the field of Communications, Public Relations and/or Media Relations.
