Woonsocket Senior To Speak at URI Commencement

Woonsocket Senior To Speak at URI Commencement

Public speaking is something that most college students dread, but for one soon-to-be URI graduate, overcoming fears by facing them head on is the best remedy.

22-year-old Senior, Valerie Damon-Leduc from Woonsocket, will put her public speaking skills to the test on Sunday May 22 at the URI commencement ceremony, where she will address an audience of nearly 15,000 as student commencement speaker.

In the past, Damon-Leduc feared public speaking and recalls a leadership class she took when she was a sophomore. “We went around the class and everyone had to introduce themselves and say something about their lives. I was so nervous, I thought about dropping the class. Instead, I took public speaking classes whenever I could and spoke to groups whenever I got the opportunity. Finally, I got better and much more comfortable.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

As an honor student, majoring in English, and minoring in communication studies and leadership, Damon-Leduc has also found time to work as an event management consultant in the Student Programming Office for three semesters, where she consulted for nearly 100 events. This month, for example, she is helping fraternities and sororities execute more than 20 events during Greek Week. At the Student Programming Office, she improved the effectiveness of the office by creating a training program for new employees to help with transitions, something the office never had before.

Due to all of her great work at the Student Programming Office, she was this year’s winner of the A. Robert Rainville Student Employee Leadership award.

“I learned to apply my training to practical situations and take the theories I learned about working with groups into the real world. I have had to speak publicly on various occasions, and teach students tips to make their organizations better. As an advisor, I have had to learn to trust my instincts and to know that I can make good judgment calls, not only for myself, but others. I have also been transformed from a shy, slightly insecure individual to someone who can confidently call or approach the people I need to talk to, or stand my ground when necessary,” Damon-Leduc wrote in her application for the competitive Rainville award.

Certainly, she will be applying the skills she has learned in her past when she takes the stage during the commencement ceremony, as she addresses the URI community May 22.

Damon-Leduc plans to attend graduate school, and will explore job opportunities in event management and human resources.