SABRINA BAUM: Good afternoon, Class of 2016.
[CHEERING]
SABRINA BAUM: My name is Sabrina Baum,
and on behalf of my fellow Class Marshals, Yaseen Eldik, Sandra
Hough, Diana Liebenau, Amy Wolfson, and Victor Zapana,
I am honored to welcome you to Class Day.
Tomorrow represents a milestone for all of us,
a day that we've all worked hard for and deserve to celebrate.
So today, we gather to recognize and thank
the friends, family, and classmates who have
helped us reach this point.
We thank the professors who have challenged us
and helped us find our way in and out of the classroom.
We thank the staff who run our school so smoothly--
[CHEERING]
SABRINA BAUM: --from welcoming us
at the dining halls during that five minute coffee break
that gets us through class to running the clinics that
have been a formative part of many of our experiences here.
That is one of the greatest parts of Harvard Law School.
We've been fortunate to attend an institution that
has offered us a wealth of different experiences.
It has been amazing to watch the different things
that our classmates have done in just three short years here.
Some have stood up in court as prosecutors and defense
counsel, helped clients obtain asylum, worked for US senators,
helped draft contracts for NFL teams,
and been cited in judicial opinions.
And those are just a few examples.
Each of us has chosen our path, and I
can't wait to see the amazing work
that our classmates do starting tomorrow
after we walk across that stage.
But before we graduate from HLS, let's
take this day to thank everyone who has helped us get here.
We have a wonderful program ahead of us,
and are excited to kick off the festivities.
So with that, we congratulate you and turn over the floor
to Dean Martha Minow.
[APPLAUSE]
DEAN MINOW: Good afternoon!
Thank you Sabrina!
And what an honor it is to be here today
to celebrate the Harvard Law School Class of 2016.
[CHEERING]
DEAN MINOW: All that you have done individually
and collectively, indeed, cause for celebration.
Tomorrow, we will join the whole university and then
award degrees.
Today, we honor all who have contributed to the law school
and to the broader community.
Today's honorees stand out for their passion and commitment,
both to Harvard Law School and to the larger world.
It is my great pleasure to share the stage
with your superb class marshals.
[APPLAUSE]
DEAN MINOW: Our fabulous Staff and Teaching Award
winners, Gabriella Follett and Jeannie Suk!
[APPLAUSE]
DEAN MINOW: Our very special Class Day speaker,
Ms. Sarah Jessica Parker.
Known for her talent, her vision, her public service,
and yes, her fashion-forward sensibility.
Our Dean of Students, Marcia Sells.
Our Chair of the Alumni Association, Salvo Arena.
I turn the program over now to Dean Sells, who will
introduce our honorees to you.
And I thank you all, family, friends,
for making this occasion so wonderful and possible.
Enjoy!
[APPLAUSE]