Gaithersburg High School’s senior class has its hopes set on one person for their graduation speaker: Ellen DeGeneres.

One student wrote a song to the talk show host, asking her to share her “inspiring ways” with the school.

“Ellen, we wanted to know if you could take a break from your show...Gaithersburg High School wants a gal like you,” senior Haley Duff sings. Duff’s song, posted on YouTube, has more than 1,000 views.

Duff said she, her art teacher and the senior-class sponsor wanted to get a star for their graduation ceremony.

“We chose Ellen because she’s such an inspiration with all the charity work that she does, and her work with animal rights,” she said.

Gaithersburg High School Principal Christine Handy-Collins said DeGeneres’ name was on the senior class’ wish list last year. Generally, students write letters to their desired speakers, but they took a different approach this year.

The students “wanted to use the power of YouTube and Facebook and Twitter” to get the word out, Handy-Collins said. Duff’s musical request has already been reported by local television news stations.

Duff said Warner Brothers contacted the school a few weeks ago to say it received the request for DeGeneres to speak at graduation.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Duff said. Representatives for DeGeneres’ show “Ellen” did not return calls before publication.

The school’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 31 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

scarignan@gazette.net