How does the Ceremony of Twelve start?

In Chapter 7 we see the beginning of the Ceremony of Twelve. The new twelves swap places with the new elevens, and then an initial speech is given by the Chief Elder. This speech is described as being pretty much the same each year, touching on:

recollection of the time of childhood and the period of preparation, the coming responsibilities of adult life, the profound importance of Assignment, the seriousness of training to come.

After this speech the Chief Elder goes on to say that what happens as part of this ceremony is an acknowledgement of differences. She then describes the group in general. Then the Assignments begin.