Zariah Chiverton, Class of 2024 Student Commencement Speaker

Zariah Chiverton, ’22, graduating with a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies, was selected by faculty to present remarks on behalf of graduating SPCS students at 2024 Commencement Exercises on May 11, 2024.

In her speech, reproduced below, Chiverton explained how being the youngest of nine children gave her a perspective how her mother ingrained in her a selflessly devoted work ethic that has helped her achieve this milestone — and how every graduating student should recognize this accomplishment that “you are capable of what you set out to achieve.”

Video Address

Starts at Dean Wilson’s introduction of Chiverton as speaker.

Commencement Address

Thank you for that introduction. I want to start by taking a moment to thank the SPCS faculty for selecting me to be the student speaker today. I am truly honored that they thought that I was deserving of this moment. I also have to give a special thanks to Dr. Nielsen who introduced me to this program. My time here has certainly changed the course of my career and all aspects of my life.

Of course, at this moment, I want to congratulate my fellow graduates for this amazing accomplishment. I haven’t had the chance to meet all of you, but I am still so honored that we get to share this moment together. I know we share in the excitement of finally being done. Somehow, no longer being a student is just as freeing as it is stressful. As of today, I am no longer a student but I somehow feel like there’s something due or an assignment I’ve missed. If that’s the case... oh well, because they already plan on giving me my degree.

Finally, I would like to ask my fellow graduates to join me in thanking everyone who came here to support us, as our journey would not have been the same without them.

One of my favorite things to tell people is that I’m the youngest of nine kids. Today I get to say I must be the favorite in the house because my entire army-sized family traveled from Connecticut to share this moment with me. When I tell people about my family it usually prompts a lot of questions. The best way I know how to answer it is by saying this. Remember that scene in Home Alone where they overslept and were rushing to get to the airport? That is my family, every day. As you can imagine, I have a lot of stories to tell. My favorite is the story of how I got to this very moment today. It has less to do with me and more to do with my mom.

My mom was born in Antigua, but my siblings and I were born on the small island of St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Not long after I was born, she decided to move to the states. Everyone always asks me why Mom left because it seems crazy that she would willingly leave behind the beautiful beaches, clear waters, and sunshine. On the really cold days, I have to ask that question myself as I can’t help but imagine what life could have been like with the beach as my backyard. The answer is simple. She did it for us.

I am proud to be from a place as beautiful as St. Croix but I understand why it couldn’t be our home. My mom understood the limitations of the small island and didn’t want to impose those upon us. The choice to leave may have been simple but everything that followed was everything but. There is no glamour to being a single immigrant mother raising nine kids on your own. As a kid, I remember that my mom worked a lot, usually getting home very late at night. Somehow, she was always awake early in the morning to get us all ready for school and getting back to work.

When I was young, I had no clue why she was working all the time. Now I understand that her hard work is the foundation I stand on today. All of my life I have watched her be selflessly devoted to a dream that was all about us, and never herself, with a work ethic that had become ingrained in my DNA. Technically speaking, a child of nine from a single immigrant mother shouldn’t be here today. But I am, and it is because of her that I represent one of nine success stories.

I know that you all have not met my mother but I think we can all learn a few things from her story, myself included. Mom, please stand up! I want to personally acknowledge you!!!

First, don’t ever let your circumstances determine anything for you. Your circumstances are just that but what you decide to do with them is up to you. This brings me to my second point.

Perspective is key. If my mother had an “it is what it is attitude,” I wouldn’t be here. Everything won’t always be ideal but things can only get better if you believe that they can be.

Lastly, determination is necessary. When things are not how you want them to be, remember your purpose, whoever or whatever it is. The fact that you’ve earned this accomplishment is very much proof that you are capable of what you set out to achieve.

With that being said, congratulations on this momentous accomplishment and what you have in store for your future.

Biographical Sketch

Zariah Chiverton, ’22, is earning her Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree. In 2022, Chiverton earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond. She majored in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law, or PPEL, and decided to extend her stay at UR and pursue her master’s degree.

With long-term career aspirations of becoming an attorney and a passion for defending and protecting the rights of others, she designed her MLA focus on sports and entertainment law, specifically on the protection of student athletes. Throughout her program, Chiverton incorporated research on sports and entertainment law into her coursework. She enrolled in two electives in sports leadership and completed an internship with the Athletics Department’s compliance office, allowing her to gain first-hand professional knowledge of how law and sports intertwine on a college campus.

Chiverton was born on the small island of St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands but grew up in Manchester, Connecticut. She is the youngest of nine children. When she was very young, her mother, originally from Antiqua, decided to move the family to Connecticut to provide for better future. Chiverton credits much her success to her mom. As a single immigrant parent, her mother modeled hard work, tenacity, and determination, all of which Chiverton feels are ingrained in her.

An avid athlete and sports fan, Chiverton was an accomplished high school track star. She won the conference and state championships in the 300 hurdles, one of her proudest achievements. As an undergraduate student at UR, Chiverton served as the women's basketball team manager for three years. While she is no longer an athlete, she still enjoys running and playing volleyball.