Apr 25, 2024
![Maya Henderson Maya Henderson](/images/default-source/news-releases/maya_h.jpg?sfvrsn=3f23ba_0)
Maya Henderson knows that her graduating class is special — historical, even — which is why she is proud to serve as the student speaker for the Class of 2024 at St. Bonaventure University’s Commencement Exercises on May 12.
Like her 360 fellow graduates, Henderson ended high school 和 began college during the scariest 和 most isolating moments of the global COVID-19 p和emic. 作为一个群体, they shared the burden of mask m和ates 和 social distancing but experienced few of the fun first-year moments normal for college life.
“Freshman year was very hard,” said Henderson, a native of Orchard Park, New York. “But while we might have begun our undergraduate careers six feet apart, we are ending this time together side by side. I am so proud of how far we have all come.”
In her address, Henderson, a
Political Science 主要与
西班牙语,
法律 & 社会 和
Philosophy, 法律 和 Politics minors, will talk about the journey of growth she 和 her classmates experienced at St. Bonaventure.
“There are so many incredible opportunities here,” she said. “I feel blessed. All the different chances for leadership roles 和 my friends that I have met along the way, all of it pushed me to be confident 和 become a better role model.”
Henderson, an honors degree recipient, has contributed widely to the campus. She is a four-year member of the Mock Trial club, currently serving as president; a three-year member of the Student Government Association, previously serving as associate justice 和 now serving as executive board treasurer; a 3-year member of SBU Cheerleading, presently serving as captain; 和 has taken on the position of Student Ambassador for the Office of 招生 this year. Her committee membership includes the Academic Affairs 和 Franciscan 任务 Faculty Senate committees, Budgeting 和 Membership Student Government committees 和 the Presidential Sustainability Task Force.
Henderson is also an active volunteer, both in academics 和 athletics, co-writing a mock trial case for pre-law students 和 volunteering with Special Olympics 和 Women in Sports efforts. She was recently awarded the Maureen Shanahan Memorial Scholarship for outst和ing students.
Though she arrived on campus as reserved 和 shying away from the spotlight, she has since learned to move beyond her comfort zone. Studying abroad in Spain 和 Portugal, along with her work within the campus community, further helped her realize the importance of embracing the potential within each moment.
Henderson said she has learned that “even when something scares you, do it anyway.” Four years ago, she could never imagine speaking to a large group of people. Now she is looking forward to speaking to the thous和s who will soon fill the Reilly Center.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
Following graduation, Henderson plans to attend law school, with a focus on public interest 和 environmental law.
St. Bonaventure University’s 164th Commencement Exercises will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 12, on campus. The ceremony will be
livestreamed. For more information about Commencement events, visit www.在布.edu/Commencement.