Libertyville High School Commencement Tonight

Luke Sans admits that as ’s graduation ceremony draws near, he may be nervous.

Sans is one of two students — the other being Orko Manna — who will give a speech at tonight's commencement.

"I'm starting to feel the pressure," said Sans.

Sans wrote a speech and had to audition in front of a panel of judges to be considered for the honor of giving a speech at graduation. The judges liked his speech a lot, Sans said, and he has made minor changes to it with the help of English teacher Amy Wiggins.

Sans said his speech centers around the theme of change in general. More specifically, the speech will focus on growing up in Libertyville and having to leave and explore the world.

"It's about the broadening of our world," said Sans. "I stress the fact that we've been more than over-prepared here at . LHS prepared us to take on the real world. And even though it seems like change, we have this bond we all share."

Manna said the theme of his speech is about how he and his fellow graduates will become new leaders in the world. He said that as students graduate and move into the fast-paced world, they are being asked to take on leadership roles in society.

"How we plan on doing that is really up to us," said Manna.

He feels has prepared him for his new role in the world.

"LHS prepared me very well for what's to come in the future," said Manna. "It shaped me and other students. It helped me find who I am."

Manna said his four years at changed him. After a great eighth-grade year, Manna found himself unsure of whether he'd be able to make a name for himself in high school.

"LHS really helped me pursue things," he said.

Manna is the senior class president and has been involved in many activities, including theater, track, Scholastic Bowl, the school newspaper and various clubs.

He and Sans served as National Honor Society co-presidents this year.

Sans has been involved in the band program all four years of high school, including the Wind Ensemble, jazz band, pit orchestra and marching band. It's the band program that Sans will miss the most after he graduates and moves on to study aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech.

"People know that it's a nationally renowned band program," said Sans. "I will miss the opportunity of being in such a high-level music environment."

Sans also played volleyball and served as a Model U.N. delegate.

Manna said while it sounds cliché, he'll miss the people the most after graduation. He plans to study journalism at Northwestern University this fall.