# Student Orations Competition ![Orations](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_4_3__480x360/public/2025-01/Harvard343.JPG?itok=50zGMcCQ) ![Orations](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_4_3__480x360/public/2025-01/99_HC2022_JH191649.jpg?itok=OyZ8AkmU) ![LS](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/styles/hwp_4_3__480x360/public/2024-12/112_HC2022_JH191736.jpg?itok=hGcGGi51) ## expand\_more ## The Orations Competition is among the oldest and most treasured traditions associated with Harvard's Commencement. Three students are chosen by a panel of judges to deliver, *from memory*, an address to the assembly of approximately 32,000, which includes members of the governing boards, honorary degree recipients, faculty, parents, alumni and of course: the graduates themselves. ### About the orations - The first of these orations is delivered in Latin by a graduating senior from the College; - The second, in English, is also delivered by a graduating senior from the College; and - The third is delivered by a degree candidate from the University’s graduate or professional Schools. Being selected as one of the three orators is regarded as one of the highest honors a student can achieve. While these orations originally involved a student defending their thesis, the range of topics has since expanded to reflect a variety of perspectives and themes related to Harvard and the global community. ### Eligibility Eligible participants are those graduating before the next Commencement, or those who completed their degree in November, February or March without attending a prior ceremony. Each individual may compete for one of the three addresses only once. ### Submissions Those selected receive a cash prize of $1,500. Extensive support, including speech coaching and multiple opportunities to rehearse, are offered as part of the preparation for participation in this historic Harvard event. 1. **Submissions must be made using the templates below**. Do not send an essay or thesis that does not contain the cover sheet found in the template. 2. **Extensions are not possible**. If you wish to have your address considered, prepare early and be ready to make your submission by or before the deadline. Should your piece be accepted, you will have time to share a revised draft in advance of the auditions. 3. **Latin submissions should include an English translation** at the end of the address. Should the address be chosen for audition, this will be delivered only in Latin. For some helpful resources on crafting your speech, [download the packet on public speaking](https://prod-commencementoffice.drupalsites.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/2025-01/maggors_elements_of_rhetoric_speaking_pointers.pdf). ## Key Orations Events (2026) - Thursday, 3/5 @ 4-5 PM: Information Session (*Harvard Yard, **Emerson Hall, Room 105*** recording will be posted following) - Monday, 3/9 @ 4-5 PM: Latin Information Session (*Harvard Yard, **Boylston Hall, Fong Auditorium**)* - Friday, 3/27 Deadline to submit (late submissions will **not** be accepted) - Tuesday, 4/14 @ 4 -6:30 PM: Preliminary Auditions (*Harvard Yard, location TBD*) - Tuesday, 4/21 @ 4-5 PM: Final auditions (*Harvard Yard, location TBD*) *Please submit only if you can be available to audition in person on 4/14 and 4/21. Auditions will be held in Harvard Yard.* ## [Watch the 2025 Orations Information Session Recording](https://youtu.be/lAMt9SN-HEQ) ## [Watch the 2026 Orations Information Session Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeajAZZ4WyQ) This year's Information Session will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 4 PM in Harvard Yard. We encourage any degree candidates interested in participating to attend. Following the session, the recording will be posted here. ## Templates Please download and use the templates below. When submitting your speech, please convert to PDF. [### Latin Template for Orations Competition ](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/2025-02/Latin%20Template%20for%20Orations%20Competition-accessible.docx) Undergraduate Latin Template for Harvard College Seniors Please submit both the Latin text and the English translation. description [### Graduate Template for Orations Competition ](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/2025-02/Graduate%20Template%20for%20Orations%20Competition-accessible.doc) For degree candidates from the Professional and Graduate Schools description [### College Template for Orations Competition ](/sites/g/files/omnuum3911/files/2025-02/College%20Template%20for%20Orations%20Competition-accessible.doc) Undergraduate English Template for Harvard College Seniors description arrow\_back arrow\_forward # Student Speech Competition: 2026 Once your speech is prepared, and in the format required (please see notes within each template), please click below to submit. We encourage those participating to review their work carefully before submitting. Additionally, please note that late submissions of any kind will not be accepted so plan accordingly. Deadline to submit is Friday 3/27/2026. **NOTE**: the submission link will not be active until early March, 2026. [Submit Your Speech chevron\_right](https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9n6AlwNQkdP9uZg) ## Recent Harvard Commencement Orators [2025](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFIo795BXb4) Latin Undergraduate: Aidan Robert Scully English Undergraduate: Thor Reimann English Graduate: Yurong "Luanna" Jiang [2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1snjxJR_gLk&t=6148s) Latin Undergraduate: Blake Lopez English Undergraduate: Shruthi Kumar English Graduate: Robert L. Clinton IV [2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kT-qpJF2WQ&t=8930s) Latin Undergraduate: Josiah Ethan Meadows English Undergraduate: Pallas Chou English Graduate: Vic Hogg [2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4OCYb1Mgtc) Latin Undergraduate: Benjamin Porteous English Undergraduate: Noah Harris English Graduate: Lindsay Sanwald [2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic281NEJNl4) Latin Undergraduate: Jordan Bliss Perry English Undergraduate: Silvana Gómez English Graduate: Vincent H. Bish Jr. [2020 ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onc0Llrp0nM&t=5976s)and [2020-2021]() Latin Undergraduate: Caroline Engelmayer English Undergraduate: Michael J. Phillips English Graduate: Sana Roof [2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Jk9V-4tHg) Latin Undergraduate: Kabir Kyle Gandhi English Undergraduate: Genesis Noelia De Los Santos Fragoso English Graduate: Lucila Takjerad [2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Hy2eUhyz0) Latin Undergraduate: Phoebe Lakin English Undergraduate: Christopher Egi English Graduate: Pete Davis [2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLHg8yztdQ&t=9258s) Latin Undergraduate: Jessica Rachael Glueck English Undergraduate: Auguste Roc English Graduate: Walter Smelt III [2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8pA7SYM4C8&t=2966s) Latin Undergraduate: Anne Power English Undergraduate: Joshuah Campbell English Graduate: Jiang He