Vaidehi Tonya Somesh graduated with High Honors, majoring in Liberal studies, and with a double minor in Economics & Sociology. During her time here at CSUF, she has been closely involved with the Inner Club Council, holding the positions of Head chair and Social Justice Facilitator. Tonya is passionate about teaching and spends a great deal of her time tutoring math, science, history, and English to children. She aspires to be a human rights lawyer and will be working towards her law degree after graduation. We wish her the very best for all her future endeavors.

"It is my honor and privilege to be addressing the graduates of both class 2020 and 2021 when I was invited to give this speech, the robot part of my brain took over and I decided to approach it like my last final. As per my routine I drank 4 espresso shots, locked myself away and used one search in the pollack library website for an article titled “how to give a speech 101.” I was met with the dreaded “there were no results found”.

So, when that didn’t work out, I used the greatest resource available to students- Quizlet! Just kidding, I went to google.

I listened to the best commencement speeches and read about what to say during this speech then I opened up a Word document made sure it was times new Roman font 12 double spaced and stared at my laptop screen

during my research all of these commencement speeches were so motivational and inspirational me being me I wanted to write the best speech ever a speech that would motivate and inspire all of you

but the events of the past year half left me physically emotionally and mentally drained how can I spark motivation within you when I have barely any to give myself

so, I just stared at my Word document moments before I was giving up and going to switch over to Netflix my 8-year-old sister Tia walked into my room she had in her hand dinner and a water bottle because robot Tonya sucks at self-care.

Tia had taken up on the responsibility of making sure I eat so I don't go to bed hungry

This is when I knew what to say. My sister didn’t motivate me or inspire me in the traditional sense, instead her thoughtful gesture made me realize that I'm not alone.

the past year and a half we have experienced more than some have in their entire lifetime.

We had murder Hornets that mysteriously disappeared.

California was on fire for what seemed like half a year.

A global pandemic, the likes of which we have not seen in almost a century.

Witnessed historical political and social events

Many of us felt the loss of a loved one

But we have endured these events them together

We stepped foot on campus for the last time together

We logged into zoom for the first time together

We got kicked out of zoom due of unstable Internet connection together

We hit that submit button on titanium at 11:59pm for the last time together

We are walking across the stage or our living room together

When I was a student panelist for Tuffy’s Graduation Scholars, I had to answer the question, “What makes a Titan Scholar?”

My first thought was, why on earth would they choose a transfer student who only had spent one full semester on campus to answer this? Then robot Tonya kicked in and said something along the lines of It Takes a Titan and Titans Reach Higher, I was about to say choose 15 units but quickly remembered that banner doesn’t apply in this current situation

After the panel, I actually looked up the exact definition of “scholar.” According to the definition from Oxford languages a scholar is “a specialist in a particular branch of study, especially the humanities”

Ergo a Titan scholar is all college of humanities and social science students. While I arrived at this conclusion in an unorthodox manner, HSS students are truly are the definition of “It Takes a Titan”

It Takes a Titan is CSUF’s first philanthropic campaign that hope to enhance academic innovation, empower students, transform campus structures and enrich the community.

that is exactly what we did.

While being lonely and isolated trapped within that tiny zoom tile. HSS students came together as a community.

We swapped hanging out in the TSU for breakout rooms on zoom. Clubs within the HSS college hosted social events. Abled Advocators had a friend’s giveaway where they played virtual games, AAEE had a competition to see who can come up with the best meme, and philosophy club hosted a trivia night.

HSS Organizations held events for professional growth, we had a linked-in and financial literacy workshop, hosted a graduate student panel, and PAGSOCA held 6 different thesis writing workshops. All of which helped students further their professional and academic career.

The murder of George Floyd demanded action and we took it. HSS students did not shy away from bringing awareness and facilitating discussions. Abled Advocators had an open mic night to appreciate black art with spoken word, HSA had an event dedicated to black historical figures, and our college hosted 3 different interdisciplinary conversations on anti-blackness.

With the recent rise of Asian Hate crimes, we had an Understanding Asian American Experiences Through History event hosted by Phi Alpha Theta. Our HSS clubs had workshops dedicated to disability, pronouns and inclusivity awareness, Rebound Scholars had John Bun come to speak on the failures of our justice system. HSS students broke societal beauty norms with our guest speaker Virgie Tovar.

We did all of these together as a community.

With the absence of motivation and inspiration, we relied on each other.

Late night facetimes or zooms, Netflix parties, and family members feeding us. Is what got us through the past 3 semesters.

I congratulate and applaud you. Despite the turmoil of the past few months and our individual struggles, we are all standing and graduating together."