As the end of the school year approaches, seniors start thinking about their graduation and what that will look like. The ceremony is a day filled with tears, music and speeches. This year, the class of 2025 has elected Jake Lober to give a speech to his peers.
“The senior class filled out a form where they voted for people to be selected and then the senior leadership group and Mr. Esper narrowed it down to three or four candidates and we all submitted a couple things and that same group narrowed it down to two people and that senior leadership group selected me based on the things I submitted,” Lober said.
Many teachers have grown to know Lober as a hardworking individual who is well equipped for the role of graduation speaker.
“I was actually with Jake when I found out that Jake was selected as a Graduation Speaker. I heard Mr. Mielens congratulate him, and I think I said, ‘Hey! That’s awesome! I can’t think of anyone better!’” choir teacher Erich Wangeman said.
Lober is involved in lots of extracurriculars including band, orchestra, choir, cross country and track. These activities have helped him grow throughout his highschool career.
“I think my leadership skills have definitely benefited from all that I do. I feel a lot more prepared after this year because my experience this past year with being a drum captain, being in music and being a senior, have made me feel like more of a leader at West,” Lober said.
These leadership skills have not gone unnoticed in the various programs Lober participates in. He is often able to incorporate different skills to everything he pursues.
“Choral and Theatrical music are quite different from band and Orchestral music. I love how Jake switches easily from one to the other. I’ll miss working with someone so willing to take initiative,” Wangeman said.
After highschool, Lober plans to continue his many musical talents by pursuing it in college.
“I’m going to Michigan State to get a bachelor’s in music and jazz studies so I’ll be there for the next four years,” Lober said.
Aside from his musical capabilities, Lober has also been recognized for his leadership skills in other aspects of his high school career. AP Government teacher Tak Ready has recognized this characteristic in Lober in class.
“Jake’s a soft-spoken leader I guess is the best way to put it. You know there’s some leaders who are super talkative and Jake is talkative but he’s contemplative. He’ll sit and think about things and when he’s sitting in class you can see the gears in his head spinning trying to figure things out and so he’s contemplative and well spoken,” Ready said.
Lober believes he can use these acquired skills to deliver a quality speech for his peers. He’s glad that he’s been chosen to receive this privilege.
“[I’m] definitely very honored and proud. I’m a little nervous about doing it but I’m hoping I’ll do a good job if I can get my thoughts down. Yeah, I’m not super worried,” Lober said.
Lober has been long revered throughout his extracurriculars and classes as a leader and a critical thinker.
“Jake is very well-rounded. He is a great student, a strong athlete and talented musician, and a really wonderful human. I think he represents what it means to be a Titan,” Wangeman said.
