LCCC Commencement Speaker Lopez & Soloist Duke

Commencement signals the start of a journey, where belief in what’s possible meets the courage to finally begin.

Student speaker Leslie Tineo Lopez and soloist Ella Duke embody this adventurous, forward-thinking spirit in their academics, their fullness of student life, as well as their willingness to take chances for a chance to take the stage at Lehigh Carbon Community College’s 58th annual commencement ceremony, held May 21, 2025, at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown.

Leslie Tineo Lopez

“I received an email saying the college was looking for a commencement speaker,” says Lopez. “And, I convinced myself this was something I really wanted to try. I wanted to share something impactful about being a first-generation college graduate. So, I decided to talk about my journey.”

Lopez comes from a close-knit family that’s committed to supporting one another. Growing up, she saw firsthand how hard it was to balance the need to earn with the desire to learn. She challenged herself to finish what she started and zeroed in on an associate degree in business management. LCCC offered the support and flexibility to make that happen.

She worked full-time and really appreciated the mix of online, in-person, and hybrid courses to help her manage her workload.

Lopez says, “I really appreciated all my professors. They really took the time to teach you, and they really cared about you.”

Lopez was a student athlete, too. She says playing volleyball helped her win friendships both on and off the court.

From front-line roles as a cashier to systems management and supervision, Lopez’s worklife sees her rising to opportunities to grow, lead, and develop others. With that, she plans to leverage her LCCC degree to continue her education with a focus on organizational management.

Ella Duke

“Being the commencement soloist felt completely unreal. When I first heard of the auditions, I thought to myself, ‘I would never be able to do something like that,’” says Duke. “But I also knew I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try.”  

Duke’s musical background includes grade school choir, early piano lessons, high school solos, and even sitting in for vocals with local bands. Singing the national anthem and LCCC’s alma mater a capella before an audience of thousands was a rewarding first for her.

Speaking of firsts, LCCC was not Duke’s first choice, but after a false start at a different institution, she is 100% certain it was her best choice.

“At LCCC, the atmosphere was refreshing, the classes were engaging, and my peers were eager to learn,” says Duke.

She was involved with the Political Society, supporting voter registration drives and acting as the club’s secretary and social media manager. The club trip to Washington, D.C. is a favorite memory for her.

Duke was also an Honors Scholar and part of Phi Theta Kappa and the Psychology Club, always welcoming any chance to challenge herself and explore new ideas.

“English Professor Myskowski had a significant impact on my LCCC experience. I had her my first semester for Introduction to Literature, and I immediately loved her teaching style. I learned so much and became a much better writer,” says Duke. “Next, I took her Women’s Literature course, and it was eye-opening and empowering.”

Duke graduated summa cum laude with an associate degree in general studies. She is transferring to the University of Pittsburgh this fall to major in law and criminal justice, while remaining committed to pursuing her personal passion for music.