Courtesy of Connecticut College
Natalia Hall ‘25 has been selected by a committee of administrators, staff, faculty, and students to be the student speaker for the school’s 107th Commencement to take place on Sunday, May 18.
Hall said she first dreamed of speaking at commencement back at her high school graduation. As she left behind her old San Francisco school and matriculated at Conn, she knew she was going to be interested in this speaking role. A writer, Hall hoped for the opportunity to share her words as a gift of gratitude to her institution and her peers. Her love of Conn was evident in her voice as she expressed her excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to share what she calls her “love letter to Conn.”
Having dyslexia, Hall learned to read through speech, practicing every word out loud. She finds that this has had a substantial influence on her writing. Hall writes for her words to be spoken. She feels most confident when her words reflect a comfortable verbal rhythm and cadence, making her an inherently talented speech writer and speaker.
In addition to her natural inclination toward writing, Hall appreciated the act of writing her speech for its contribution to helping her process her experiences here at Conn. Her speech-writing journey helped her gather her most profound lessons, and she hopes to help others understand their experiences through her words as well.
Without spoiling her beautifully prepared speech, it cannot be described as “cookie cutter.” Her unique, graceful writing brings her audience through a nuanced, picturesque, and meaningful journey of what it means to be a Conn graduate. Though written in prose, her speech feels like poetry.
“Conn can only be described in a way that is poetic. I don’t think I would have been able to write it any other way,” she said.
To Hall, Conn is more than classes; it has been the site, physically and symbolically, of self-discovery through education and community. It is an institution for more than learning in an academic sense; it is a place for relationships, deep friendships, and the cultivation of purposeful lives. She looks forward to sharing this perspective at graduation and encouraging her fellow seniors to reflect on the truly meaningful experiences they have shared together in these past four years.
When asked about what she will miss most, Hall said it will be moments of discovery when a class, event, or conversation struck her and inspired mind-expanding moments that caused her to realize her conception of the world or a concept was only a small piece of a bigger picture. Surrounded by passionate people—professors, students, and staff alike—Conn is a place of epiphanies. Conn sparks wonder in its students, and this is something Hall will always cherish.
Hall’s curiosity and adoration for Conn is infectious. She wants to encourage students to look around and internalize the privilege we have to be in a place like this, to realize how lucky we are. Once we leave, we will never again be in a place so close to friends and mentors in this way.
With almost joyfully sparkling eyes, she said, “Everything you did brought you here. Be grateful for the path you took.”
Looking to the future, Hall plans to move to New York City after graduation. An Architectural Studies and Art History double-major, she is excited by the prospect of engaging in the big city’s art scene. She has always dreamed of the city since she was young and the wonder of her dreams have stayed with her. As she pursues her big city adventures, Hall will keep Conn in her heart. Though she will leave the campus, she will retain her learning, experiences, and memories. She does not plan to say “farewell” to Conn– not in the least because, as she said, “I just don’t want to.”
