C O L L E G I AT E N E W S
Welcome to Hollywood! What’s Your Dream? By California Delta CONSTANCE DILLON GIBBS
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n front of more than 17,000 University of Southern California (USC) graduates and their families and friends, valedictorian COOPER NELSON, California Gamma, spoke about the future with wonder during her commencement address. She also poked fun at comedic actor and USC alumnus Will Ferrell, who was sitting behind her, getting ready to deliver his address immediately following Cooper’s remarks. "I am honored to be your valedictorian this year, and also your unemployed valedictorian," Cooper said. "But you guys don't have to worry about me. I've got irons in the old fire. I slipped a little something in the back of Will Ferrell's program a bit ago. Will, have your people call my people." In the University’s 134-year history, Cooper is the first valedictorian from the University’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. She majored in cinema and media studies, with a minor in screenwriting, as well as completed a second major in law, history and culture. She earned a perfect 4.0 in all her coursework. Each university has its own set of traditions for selecting commencement speakers and honorees. At USC, the custom is for one student to serve as valedictorian who then delivers a five-minute commencement address. The
valedictorian selection process is competitive. Students with strong academic records are invited to submit an application, including an essay, to be considered for the honor. Then, a small group of individuals are invited to participate in an interview process. Cooper’s essay discussed how her college experience was based around her genuine love for learning. “I didn’t come to college with the aim of getting a perfect GPA,” Cooper said. “I knew I wanted to do well, but I didn’t stress. I’m very lucky because I got to study what I love. I built my curriculum around wonderful topics that fascinated me, like storytelling and culture. I took classes about the Star Wars film series and others about the French Revolution.” When the time came for her in-person interview, Cooper said she was a bit nervous. She was thrilled to find one of her favorite film professors was a part of the interview panel. Because past valedictorians have often been from traditional career fields like business, medicine and other STEM-related fields, Cooper focused on her out-of-the-box experiences in the film school. The strategy worked and a few weeks later, she received an email letting her know that she was the 2017 valedictorian. Cooper was with Pi Phi sisters when she read the email, and the women gave her celebratory hugs. When it came to writing her commencement address, Cooper admits she wrote the speech only days before graduation was to take place. The end of the semester had been busier than anticipated, she explained. The night before the ceremony, after attending a special dinner with the USC President and other University dignitaries, including Will Ferrell and his family, Cooper stayed up late practicing the speech with her mom. The next day, on a beautiful afternoon outside on the USC quad, Cooper shared her words of wisdom. She received many cheers and laughs from the crowd. “USC has shaped, inspired and challenged us, and introduced us to friends that we will love for life,” Cooper said. “Many of you will literally change the world in fields of endeavor: the environment, global health and technology. Me? I just really want to write cartoons.”
Above: California Gamma COOPER NELSON was selected as the University of Southern California's 2017 valedictorian. 10
She went on to discuss how she hopes to work as an animation screenwriter because animation and its accompanying storytelling will change the world. She is already on her way. Cooper, who said she grew up watching cartoons, has had several internships throughout college working alongside producers, writers and editors — seeing animation made from start to finish. Her backup plan is to attend law school and become an entertainment lawyer.