Graduation

Student Speaker

 

Graduates

Graduating Student Speaker Madeline DavisMadeline Davis

2026 Graduating Student Speaker | Transferring to Emerson College

 

Learning to Believe

“It was a very long journey to SMC,” says Madeline Davis, who never imagined being a commencement speaker.

Losing her mother to cancer at age 14, right before middle school graduation, led Madeline into a downward spiral of drugs, grief, and depression. She dropped out of school at age 16 and was too scared to go back.

“I never really tried,” she admits, “because if I tried and failed, that would mean I am a failure.”

Instead, she focused on surviving. Newly sober yet overwhelmed by grief, she joined the workforce. Her diligence quickly stood out as she worked at stores that included Zara, Lush, and Bloomingdale’s before earning a promotion to manager at just 18 years old.

“I’ve always been a people person, and I love organizing things,” she says of her rise in retail.

Still, education beckoned, and Madeline took a course at SMC. But a friend’s sudden death from an overdose devastated her, and she withdrew from school to process the loss.

Eventually, therapy and creativity helped her begin rebuilding her life. She attended cosmetology school, discovering a love for hairstyling and self-expression. But chronic health conditions, scoliosis, and injuries from car accidents made the physically demanding career unsustainable.

Facing another crossroads, Madeline reconsidered college. Starting with an English class at SMC, Madeline encountered professors who encouraged her to challenge the mindset that had held her back since childhood. She now realized that intelligence was not fixed at birth, but rather something that could grow through effort and support.

She threw herself into her studies — and surprised herself by earning a 4.0 GPA. Then, inspired by her professors, Madeline considered becoming a teacher herself.

“I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t belong,” she says. “I want to inspire people who don’t believe in themselves.”

Now eight years sober, Madeline credits Alcoholics Anonymous, supportive friends, family, and caring faculty members for helping transform her future. This fall, she will transfer to Emerson College in Boston to study communication. But wherever life and career take her, she still hopes to teach — perhaps even at SMC.

“I want to give what was given to me,” she says.

Call for 2026 Student Speaker

Interested in inspiring the class of 2026?

Apply Now

Every year, Santa Monica College selects an exceptional graduating student* to give a 3-minute speech at the Commencement Ceremony to challenge and inspire their fellow graduates. Are you our next student speaker?

If you are interested in applying to be the student graduation speaker, please complete the application by April 17. 

*Student must have earned or will earn a Bachelor degree or an Associate degree from SMC in 2025-2026 (i.e., Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026).