May 10, 2019

Meet our 2019 Commencement Student Speaker and Singer

Part-time evening student Tina Robinson ‘19 has been selected to deliver the student commencement address at Southwestern’s 104th Commencement Ceremony on May 11th at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Debbie Flores ‘19 will perform the national anthem.

By day, Robinson works full-time as a Licensed Physical Therapist, and by night, she is a #SuperBison. Robinson is the Co-Chair of the Moot Court Board of Governors, a Larraine Segil Scholar, and a Writing Fellow. She is a member of the Honor Code Committee and a staffer for Law Review (with a published article under her belt!). Tina is also the recipient of the Wildman/Schumacher Scholarship.

Robinson articulated a clear vision for her address to the Southwestern community:  “I wanted to be the student Commencement Speaker so that I could communicate on behalf of the graduating class what commencement is about – a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration.  We reflect back on all the challenges we came across during our law school journey.  We have intense gratitude for all those who supported us during that journey.”

As I approach my final days, I think back to all the hard work that has led me to this moment. I feel blessed.”
- Debbie Flores ‘19

Flores, equally accomplished in her own right, served as the Co-President of the Latino Law Students Association and a member of the Women’s Law Association and Entertainment Law Society. Earlier in the fall, Debbie volunteered for a Justice trip with Al Otro Lado in Tijuana, Mexico, helping to conduct over 56 intakes and consultations to assist asylum-seekers. She is a former extern for both the Law Offices of David Helfant and Abrams, Garfinkel, Margolis, Bergson LLP, specializing in entertainment law. Debbie is currently working full-time at Mark Cuban's TV network, AXS TV, in their Business and Legal Affairs department, handling music clearances.

For Flores, the opportunity to regale her friends, family, and peers with the National Anthem at Southwestern’s commencement ceremony takes on an especially personal meaning. “Music has provided me with a platform to have a voice in a time when I was judged by the way I looked. Music continues to be my driving force during hard times. I feel very honored to be singing the National Anthem at commencement. To me, the National Anthem represents community. Not only does it represent the fruits of what our service men and women do on a daily basis, but it also represents the sacrifices my family and I have gone through.”

I love that Southwestern offers so many programs, clinics, and events that challenge many of us to become not only better leaders, but better people in general. I am excited to take these new skills and apply them to the next opportunity life has to offer.
- Tina Robinson ‘19

Both graduates reflect on their time at Southwestern with a sense of achievement and gratitude. Flores says “Southwestern provided a program where I was able to continue growing my career in entertainment by working during the day and attending classes at night. As I approach my final days, I think back to all the hard work that has led me to this moment. I feel blessed.”

Robinson describes her experience: “I am incredibly grateful to Southwestern for offering me that opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Specifically, I love that Southwestern offers so many programs, clinics, and events that challenge many of us to become not only better leaders but better people in general. I am excited to take these new skills and apply them to the next opportunity life has to offer.”

Congrats to these two outstanding, exemplary, #SuperBison!

Southwestern is live streaming the event so you can watch from anywhere with an internet connection and replay your favorite parts. Click here to be notified when the broadcast goes live!