Is there any commentary on why this happened...how this came about, etc?
Yes, earlier separate threads. The featured young man invited her and she accepted!
It was in FR awhile ago, and you can google it. But the class president (27 graduates in a town of 1200 or so IIRC!) was supposed to find someone to be the commencement speaker. The list included businessmen, teachers, etc. Then he jokingly said “Hey - how about Sarah Palin”. His advisor said - why joke - go pursue it.
So the kid wrote some letters, no real replies. Then the advisor said to write to her parents (in a similar type of small-town in Idaho).
That letter did get a reply from Palin that said thanks for the invite, we will consider it. But they never heard anything back.
Then the kid started posting on Facebook about it. One post had the class holding a big banner saying “Sarah will you be our speaker” or something. That got the big attention - and Palin’s people got back in touch with him.
So yes, one person CAN make a difference. Even a high-school kid. I hope that Palin included that sentiment in her speech. (Can’t wait to hear it!)