You are reminding me more of the speech I heard at the end of an undergrad year more than the end of high school. Oh yea. I skipped high school grad because I hated high school with a depth of emotion I have rarely known in any other context.

Robin MacNeil formerly of the PBS news spoke. He advised us all in 1984 to take time off before starting a career. Travel. Goof off. The parents in the audience got very ruffled. "I never had to take time off" bloated cardiac candidates were heard to say later over the cheese trays.

Best advice - refuse the honour once elected to the postition.

I must disagree with you, as an individuals graduation from highschool is "really important" and is the "end of something spectacular".

Many people decide against a university education and have high school as their most meaningful education, so graduation for them is important. I would have to believe that individuals looking back on highschool with thoughts of graduation as neither important or spectacular are those same individuals that are unable to make up their minds on post-secondary education and career ambitions.

I believe high school to be equally important as any degree I have ever recieved.

So for the individuals that have goals to attain, highschool is an important first-step and is the end of something spectacular.

Booo. For the 96% of students not on student council, the band or the basketball team it was a burden to get over with. All I could think of was "ba-bye". Just an opportunity for a glory days "40 yard touch-down" kind of story to bore the kids with years from now if not kept in perspective.

I was in band and on the basketball team (not student council) and I was very glad highschool was over when the time came. I agree with each and every one of Dan's points. Particularly not taking yourself too seriously and avoiding those hilarious clichés

High School, like anything, is what you make of it. The trappings of High School are there to be enjoyed or despised as you see fit. I agree that the best advice for a valedictorian is to be yourself. Being valedictorian is an opportunity to express yourself, just like a poem or a song. (I think you can view Avril Lavigne's work as an ongoing "alternative" valedictory address). So express yourself to your colleagues the best way you can.

My only request is that you do not, no matter how uninspired you are feeling, quote the majority of "Oh The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss as the bulk of your speech. Think I'm crazy? It happened at my sister's graduation Thursday night.

For a fine example (not a valedictory address, but a commencement speech - close enough), see the <a href="http://www.february-7.com/features/conan.htm" title="Commencement Speech to the Havard Class of 2000 by Conan O'Brien">Commencement Speech to the Havard Class of 2000 by Conan O'Brien</a>.

That was good Steven. However, as Harvard commencement speeches go, my favorite remains Bono's.

The only thing valedictorian speeches do for me is make me sleepy and bored. Speeches suck. The only good speech was the freedom speech by Mel Gibson in Braveheart... or maybe the one by Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks. "Can't we all just get along?"

I was actually very impressed by the speech given at my High School graduation that earned the standing ovation. However the complete opposite happened 3 years later at my sisters graduation when the speech entirely consisted of tears and only talking about her best friends.

This advice is great. But i am only in grade 8, and i am the valedictorian this year. i was wondering if anyone had anyideas about the speach i have to say. If you do can you please e-mail me at jennypooh2016@hotmail.com and make the subject valedictorian. Your help is greatly appreatiated

i need to write i speech any ideas yooooou all can share with me??

Did you delete me? I posted an inspired reply (Ithought). Well done Dan. I wish I had your courage when I was in grade 12; I had your brains, but the package wasn't as well bound :-)

<p>No Kevin, I didn't delete you :-). You had replied to another related post. Thank you so much for the compliments. I'm not quite sure I'm as unique as you say I am, history will tell.</p>

<p>For those of you interested - this post is getting viewed by approximately 25-35 valedictorians an hour.... The Internet is an amazing thing.</p>

I think what was meant to be said is that you are eunuch.

Wow, I was afraid of using cliches in my valedictorian speech, but I guess even what I thought wasn't predictable really is! Whoa, time to rework my thoughts.
I find this all quite amusing though, so many desperate students searching for ideas and so little resources available. At least I know what NOT to do... :)

Writing a speech for graduation is really hard. Maybe mine will be all cliches... totally unoriginal. In fact, I think I'll try to use all of them that were listed. Every one might hate the speech, but like it says.. high school is not a big deal and I probably won't ever see most of the people who hear my speech again after a few months. I just want to get through the speech and to the grad parties!

ok, ok...ive probably got the worst case of procrastination. but i have 2 days to prepare my speech and i (heavenforbid) am at a complete loss for words. i, like probably every other person who's visited this page, want a truly original speech. has anyone heard or thought of a topic or approach that really caught your eye? please email me as soon as possible, i really appreciate any help you can offer. thanks, Stacey.

I completely empathize with you, stacey and jp. I want my speech to be original, memorable, AMAZING...but i can't think of anything to say that would make it so.

I'm starting to think that being class valedictorian is more of a curse than a blessing.

It is ironic that i find the complete opposite of the advice i was given by my teacher. She said to use those cliche's, and be very positive, but the thing is, i have so much angerthat i want to express. So im stuck.. I dont know what to say in my speech, but my main goal is not to bore my friends... which is kinda hard cause i kinda have a mono-tone voice. Mah.. i agree with jessica here...

Wow, i need help. I have a couple weeks to write my valedictorian speech, and i simply dont know where to begin. People keep telling me to come up with a "theme", such as relating our class to lighthouses or paint palets and such, but to me, this seems too serious, too unlike me, and just way too fake in general, and it's not something i necessarily want to do. I want my speech to be semi-serious. Like you said, the end of high school is not the end of the world, but it is still and ending. I want a speech people will want to listen to, rather than fall asleep during it. Please help me, and give me a few ideas of how to begin the speech, i think i'll be fine from there. Please email me at Lissa2242@aol.com, with the subject as "valedictorian speech". THANKS!

Wow...seems like I'm not the only one in need of help for a valedictorian speech. I was informed I was giving a speech yesterday and have less than a week to write one. I'm co-valedictorian of my high school so I have this extra pressure on plus there's supposed to be more than 3,000 people in attendance. Any advice would be more than helpful. (I'll try not to quote Dr. Suess).

hi yvonne, monkeys rule! (yes i am a valedictorian, hard to believe i know)

It's funny, the first thing my mother recommended me doing when she found out I was validictorian was to quote that Dr.Seus book.

my situation is worse... my speech is due in 14 hours and I haven't started!

*checking watch* I'll be delivering mine for the student body and principle during class night practice in about... oh... 12 hours or less. Wish me luck on at least starting it. Thanks for the tips though, I think they'll help a lot.

ive got a little while untill i deliver my speech and im still pretty much just about done, all i need is the finishing touches and generic comedy would be apperciated
thx

I have a really strange, kind of off the wall, type of question; I need to give my senior valedictorian address, but I'm a class of one. I am homeschooled and live in Japan, but I will be graduating on the 7th and have many American friends attending from the US bases around us. Most are either seniors, younger students or adults curious about a 'class of one' graduation. I am very nervous. Any thoughts or tips about speaking generally to an audience?? Thanks...

sugar coating sucks, i will now remember my school year of how much i hated changing my speech to my teacher's liking

>_> Wow, I thought I had it bad.....I have a week or so to write the speech up. >_< My teacher told me, this morning, that you're supposed to have three parts, greetings, body, and good bye. Unfortunately, she just said that I should be as creative as possible with the body part, which is very elaborate (note sarcasm here). Does anyone have any idea what the body is supposed to be?

[jessica [9:04 PM June 2, 2003]
I completely empathize with you, stacey and jp. I want my speech to be original, memorable, AMAZING...but i can't think of anything to say that would make it so.
I'm starting to think that being class valedictorian is more of a curse than a blessing.]

Very true.

thank you for your tips and advice, i made a speech that made people laugh, and a lot of people liked it, i couldn't have done this without starting from your advice, i would have liked it more if i didnt have to revise it to be sugarcoated.... "graduate with reluctance" my as$

Oh my god!!! i have to write a stupid speech and i have no idea where to start!!!! Jessica... you said it straight up!! this is a curse!! not a blessing!!! uugghhh... o well... anyone... please... i neeed the help!!!

Don't try to make it special just make it personal. Talk about experiences you had as a class not just about you and your friends. Its more interesting if you base your speech on something you experianced personally than if you base your speech on a quote or a book by Dr. Seuss.

The time on this thing is wromg

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH help i don't know what to write about i need help!!!!! i need to ty 3 themes into one speech and they have nothing to do with each other!

Hey JN. The times listed are listed in the timezone I'm in AST.

dan james rules!

Dan James may rule but don't lend him string or matches...just don't, ok.

Hey, I'm from Nova Scotia in Canada, and i need a speech for the 26th of June and I find it really hard to start. Anyone have any ideas for starting a speech, cliche's or not. Thanks!

Whoa, I'm surprised by the number of the western world's finest that stopped this way. Alas, I too have to go through the drudgery of this so-called "wonderful opportunity" Unfortunately, I have until wednesday to come up with something and all I've got appears to be a script for a two-bit stand up comedy routine. This might or might not be a good thing, judging by the tips given above. ^.^ At any rate, thanks for the list of cliches, I'm planning on using every single one in a paragraph at the beginning to 'break the ice' so to speak. This should be fun. Good luck to the rest of you, I know exactly how you feel!

I have to give a valedictory speech this week and I'm nowhere near finished. What am I supposed to say to a group of people I don't care for? "Good evening class of 2003, I sincerely hate you. Thank you"? No, that doesn't seem quite appropriate. The advice about honesty is quite useful, though.

graduation is tonight. i started my speech this morning. talk about procrastination. i know i know. but then again, i wonder if anyone's going to listen, and if they do, will they remember the words that i will speak tonight. i highly doubt it. but then again, who knows? but this site really helped. very cool.

Wow...this has so much great info. i'm the high school valedictorian and i have till friday for my first draft. I too want it to be memorable, amazing, funny while being serious, and one people will truly admire. but it's so hard. I need to find a theme but i have no idea where to start. I need to talk to a million different sort of people while making them a whole... how is this thing possible? i totally agree with this maybe being a curse... but good luck with ur speeches everyone... now with something nice said about other how about some help! ;) please e-mail me with ur speech for inspiration or ideas to help me out! that would be great! thanks guys and this is a great post! ~Alexandra P

Here's a pretty good commencement speech by Jonah Goldberg of the National Review:

http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg.asp

wow- so many valedictorians seem to be procrastinators!! (how'd they ever manage to end up with such great grades?)

Valedictorians don't necessarily have great grades. Some of us just won a popularity contest...

where is valedictorian a popularity contest? i never heard of that? how does it work? anywho...this page is great..i'm going to use all the cliches...

Hello everyone out there. I'm in grade seven and yes I do realise that going from grade 7 to grade 8 is not a big deal but it is to me and my class mates. I was chosen as valedictorian and to say the leats I was exstatic. I am having alot of trouble you see because everyone EVERYONE says ooo in Kindergarten we blah blahed and I find that so BLAH so ive decided to do a little soemthing different like reminice about my friends yet also have to talk about my teahcers, i am quite confuised and if anyone could help me PLZ E-MAIL ME!!! thankyou so much, farrah

This really helped me a lot. I am in grade eight and chosen for this years valedictorian, however I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for valedictorian speeches for grade 8 and not high school. Thank you very much, and if you have any information please e-mail me at, got2dancelil@hotmail.com and please title it something to do with valedictorian. Thanks once again!!! =)

I'd first like to say that this site is awesome, and great help. But, the other day I was chosen to be valedictorian of my school. Everyone thinks that I should be really excited and honoured, but I'm really not all that excited. I mean, it's great to have been chosen, but I'm only in grade 8, and have only attended my school for 2 years. My mind is blank. I have no idea what to write about. If anyone has any ideas or examples of grade 8 valedictorian speeches, it would be greatly appreciated if you could email them to me. Thanks for all the help!

hey ppl my speech is due in o about 14 hours and all i have so far is a quote to end it with..:S:S
---->?"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope."

what do u think? cheezy? or ok?

hey ppl my speech is due in o about 14 hours and all i have so far is a quote to end it with..:S:S
---->?"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope."

what do u think? cheezy? or ok?

hi i was wondering if u could give me help for my grade 6 grad speech cuz i have no idea what to write!

hi it's me again pleaz write soon i need it for 2morow for my teacher 2 see

Hey, tomorrow is when the final decision for the class valedictorian is made. Boy, am i nervous! Being valedictorian has been my mindset ever since the 8th grade started. I think an elementary school valedictorian is an accomplishment, and high school valedictorian is the highest honour anyone can give you. If you are set aside as an example in scholarship and involvement for others to follow, that is something that you should take the greatest pride in. Maybe i am getting a little ahead of myself. I am not yet my class valedictorian, but i have worked hard and i believe that my hard work and involvement in my school community deserves to be recognized. I know i may sound that i am coming off as a little drastic, but to be known school wide and set aside as accomplishing something 99% of the class that didn't, is something i consider very special.

Hey! I have to write my valedictorian speech and I need a little advice on what I should talk about. One person says memories and another says future? What should it be?

Hey! I forgot to say i need my speech to hand in in two days!

hey, thx dan, great site.I think perhaps I will chek out the dr Seuss book meself tonite

Hey, I was just elected valedictorian today and have now started thinking about my speech I must give. To be honest, I don't agree with your comments about high school being insignificant. Easy for you to say since you're out and onto bigger and better things. But, when high school is the only thing you have, it certainly means a great deal to you. I would say to you, try to look at high school in perspective from when you were there and not where you are now! Anyway, those "cliche" lines of yours were very similar to what I had in mind for my own speech. Cliche as they may, it's what you get with a valedictorian speech. I most likely will continue with those very lines and thanks for mentioning some that I had forgot about. I stress to all potential or elected valedictorians to do the very same thing as I will be doing. As I stated at the beginning of this message, high school may not appear significiant when you're older, but it's what you have now and it's something important to you. I congratulate all elected valedictorians, it's an honour to represent your student body. Use those cliche lines in a tasteful manner and remember the reason they have become cliche is because they work. Best of luck to you all!

Hi Christopher,
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the honesty. You are correct, to many high schoolers high school is VERY significant. I don't mean to cheapen the significance of it for those who think that. What I was trying to get at though is that in high school many people have a perception (i didn't) that high school is very important in the all encompassing sense of the word. I personally don't think that it is. Good luck with your speech, cliches and all :-)!

I've been working on mines for the whole night and when my sister read it she said it sucked! I'm only in grade 8 and I was chosen to be Valedictorian, which I never had planned to get! I took your advice, Dan about being honest but my sister said I shouldn't give the people everything they want! I was very honest in my speech and she just told me to give the speech to her and she'll write it! It seems to me that rather then allowing me to be Valedictorian, she's doing it for me!! I'm sooo defenseless since she's in University! What should I do?

Christina,
I'm sure your sister has good intentions. I'm also fairly certain that she'll add a lot of good ideas to your speech. You should work with her to mix her good ideas with your good ideas. Don't just let her rewrite the whole thing for you. Then, at the end of the process, you'll have a speech that will be better than if you just worked on it by yourself. In grade 8 I wouldn't worry too much about the advice I listed above. Make sure you have fun Christina. Make some jokes while being honest. You've got some great years ahead. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Hey everyone, I was just recently chosen to deliver the valedictory address at my high school commencement. I was so excited about it, but as i was trying to think of what to write, it became evident that this remarkable distinction is in fact extremely difficult to commence. I have been told that I am an above average public speaker, so the delivery of the speech will be as easy as pie. What i'm worried about is the content. Now, i'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and in my wierd province, our high schooling goes to grade 13 instead of 12. graduation takes place in grade 12 however because only a handfull of grade 12's go to OAC (gr. 13). (OAC is only taking if one wihes to go to university). This year, OAC has been eliminated; so, our class is the first class to actually leave school after grade 12 when every other year, the students would see each other again in September. This is the point i wish to stress the most. I desperately need some help in starting and finishing with a bang. can someone please email me at robertdtesta@hotmail.com or rtesta@uwo.ca wih some help (i probably wont look at this message board again. sorry, exams are close and i gotta study) thanx for all the help!!

I hid my sis speech for me but I'm not sure if i should give it back. She made me cry yesterday with this whole " your speech sucks thing!" And my teacger sent me home because she thought i had pink eye, and its all because my eyes were swallon because of my sister! i don't know if I should join her thoughts with mines because when I read out the speech people would kno that I didn't write it!

it was a good prant i pulled, but she ended up finding it! After 2hours we took your advice dan, and it worked! thanks

Hey Dan!! ur sites great!! :) i luv it since im the valedictorian and im so completly lost. Im in grade 8 and badly need suggestions! All is aprrectiated! THANK-YOU!! PLEASE REPLY EVERY1 AND TITLE IT GRAD OR VALEDICTIORIAN!!! LUV Y'ALL

Hi; I need a valedictorians speach. I don't know how to write it. I complete my Echo cardiograph course . It was 2 year program. I am the valedictorian in the class. So I have to speak. So please send one valedictorian speach for me as soon as possible. Thank you jinu

Thankyou for all the advice , i disagree with it somewhat though....my highschool is very different , and so am i , no better then anyone else , just different. I look like and do have a disability , but have strived to be noticed for my talents and have done so , i have a huge groop of friends , party and drink(yes , teenagers do, do this!) every weekend , i have broken theater boundaries and have been in 12 productions school wise and proffessionally , students council , spirit co ordinator, announcements guy , these are my traits and experiences i am leaving behind!...so to say a speech like the one i have to make does not have to be spectacular is kindof an insult towards those (like me) who do have expectations to live up to. My advice to everyone is we all have made am impact on the school we are leaving behind , small or large , our mark is there. some cliches are exceptable to put in your speech and some arent ..it all depends on wether it is really coming from YOU , and not from the net or someone elses words. im planning on using a few inspirational quotes , pretty normal right...follow my lead if you are not in my city..(thunderbay)..and have as many (suggest five) people you feel impacted the school aswell with you , to stand up and say a quote they wrote or found that coinsides with your speech one after another or sparacticley throughout your speech. this incorperates some of your class and makes the speech not all about you because it should be their moment too right?! good luck to all! im ready to blow everyones minds , go do the same..be yourself and thats enough!

HELP ME! MY SCHOOL JUST TOLD ME TODAY (MONDAY,23/03) THAT I WOULD BE THE VALEDICTORIAN TOMORROW NIGHT!?!?!! OF COURSE I FILPPED AND DECOIDED TO START ON IT STRAIGHT AWAY, BUT THE COMPUTER DELETED MY SPEECH, I WAS TOO MAD WHEN I WAS WRITING MY SPEECH I DONT REMEMBER ANYTHING I SAID IN IT.... HELP ME NOW!! please, write me back today, or early tomorrow... PLEASE! you could save me from a possibly very embarassing moment up there on the staqge in front of all those people (350 students graduating :S)
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH,
Amanda ConwAY

I am the valedictorian for my graduating class of grade twelves. I think I have a general idea of what to write, but it's hard to put it down so eloquently on paper. I want to make my speech funny and exciting; I do not wish to make anyone cry- from boredom or otherwise. Also, I've only been at this particular school for two years, whereabouts, the other graduates have been together since elementary school! I'm not sure how I can go and write about vivid memories the class shared together when I have no idea what they are. Anyway, I have to hand in a rough copy of my speech tomorrow for the rehearsal, and I haven't even started writing yet. Procrastination is my worst adversary. Good luck to all the other valedictorians out there!

Wow this is a crazy site. Yeah I wrote my speech already unlike some unluckies out there but yeah it was hell. Damn... me and the saluditorian both agreed that the speech almost seems like a punishment or something lol.. Like i kno its supposed to be an honor and all but like.. theres so much pressure. wow. Everybody - parents- kids - coming up to me like Yo I cant wait to hear your speech! In approx 14 hours im a gonna be doing my speech. So for all those nervous valedictorians out there I think the best mindset is to realize that this really isnt THAT importnat and in 3 months for real you prolly wont see these people anymore.

After my speech im gonna post it on my xanga site - my sn is Infectiouslikewo
For those people out there with no idea what to write about -
1. stay away from politics and religion
2. u can go with reminicising with the class and such - its safe i guess
but not all too original or interesting
3. most good speeches have an unoriginal inspirational theme but done in an original way
4. talk to people for ideas - talk to everybody - parents/friends/peers/teachers
if i think of anything else - ill post again
for now - GOOd LUCk - know what ur going through - lol

Hey fellow valedictorians,

My graduation is after the school year for some odd reason. It will be held in October of 2003. I have decided to not procrastinate on this valedictory address, despite the fact that I do on everything else. It is a highschool address. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to send me their former valedictorian speeches if a copy is available. If you would be kind enough to send it to me, it would not in ANY way be plagarized or copied. It would purely be for viewing pleasure and possibly for some direction. Thank you so much.

Hello;

I am a 41 year old mature student and have been taking a course in Business and Computer Technology for the past five months at a local Business College. We will be graduating next month and today the director asked me to be the valedictorian and to give a speech at graduation.

My class has 16 students and we are all between the ages of 26 and 56. Most of the students have children and there are only two men in the class. I personally like the idea that the students choose their own valedictorian but in this school the teachers vote based on the marks, work ethic and attitude of the students. They want me to work with one of the teachers on staff to proofread my speech. I think they are afraid someone will say something that will reflect negatively on the school.

I feel honored to have been chosen but do not like the idea of making a 10 minute speech for this small group. I am afraid that my class mates will be bored to tears. Also I do not feel that I would be the person selected if my classmates were given the opportunity to vote on this subject. Although I have worked very hard to be friendly and to help others, I have the feeling that I am resented at times for my high marks.

I would appreciate any advice or feedback that anyone has to offer.

Thank You,
Deanna

The only advice I can really give about a speech is there should be some personal memories and feelings in there. Your valedictorian speech should be for your school and not read as if it could represent any school. Once you write, just think about the little things, and the humour will come.

Thank you for your advice. The Director wants me to write an inspiratonal speech and another students will be speaking to thank the teachers and to say something about the members of our class. I guess I have to stop worrying about what everyone else wants me to write and just get down to it.

Thanks,

Deanna

hi, i am graduating in june 2004 and i am pretty sure i am going to be awarded valedictorian and i have not a clue what to write. i know it's early and i have the whole year yet to write but i want it to be THE BEST!!! what should i write about? last years valedictorian wrote about how she thanks her mom and dad even though they are separated and stuff. it was sad and very touching. should i write something like that? i need help so if anyone could try help me my email address is tightbroad@excite.com

Hey Everyone,
I am my University Valedictorian and could use some advice. Is there any really great themes that people have used that have permiated the entire speech? What works? What does not work?

I NEED ADVISE ON A VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH AT MY COLLEGE PLEASE E-MAIL ME, THANKS.

ADVICE: DON'T SPEAK IN CAPS.

Hi. I am valedictorian this year and exprienceing the same problem as you guys. Can anyone PUH-LEESE e-mail me their speech. I was thinking of using it as a guide. any tips or ideas? Your help will be GREATLY appreciated. The email is rl124@hotmail.com. Put it under the subject "Valedictorian speech." Thank you. :)

Oh! I think I kinda suck in public speaking, so can you please advise me on that to?

Hi, I am valedictorian for my school and have to deliver my speech on Friday (Nov. 7). I actually think I have a pretty good speech, the only problem is I can't think of a good opening. If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate seeing them. Please send them to south_paw7@yahoo.com with subject 'Valedictorian Speech'. Thank you very much.

I've been elected as the valediactorian at my college, and there will be about 200 people there, and this is my first speech ever. Can anyone give me any ideas on a theme or anything else in that matter. Please email me with your ideas at abbott_bc79@yahoo.ca.

Well... first I was stuck for ideas... now I'm scared of my ideas. Everyone says to do something really original, my problem/question is how original do we go? As a drama student, it was been suggested to me to take a real dramatic spin on my Valedictorian speach (due in a week, egads), and turn it into an Absurdism piece (for those of you who don't do Drama, Absurdism is really quite bizarre and out-there and tends to have an almost pessimistic outlook). My fear is that no-one in the audience (except the drama students) will have a clue what I'm doing, and just look at me like I'm some sort of idiot. Then again, I don't want to be boring. A little Help?

Hey Snow. My personal opinion is that "acting" something may not go over too well. People can usually tell when someone has planned to act. Most crowds and people respond to people being real and saying what they actually think. If you can say what you actually think in a neat way, I think people will understand that. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Well... I've already sent an e-mail to Dan, talking about what i thought of his piece of advice. I do agree with great part of it, but about the clichés, there are some of them that we just can't get rid of. What if high school has indeed been something unforgetable? What if there's nothing else to substitute the cliché. Avoiding is helpful, but there's got to be some tolerance on it. I guess i haven't used any of these key sentences and that was the more original i could get out of my brains. I hope i'll manage to draw ppl's attention, which is quite hard for the Valedictorian. Deep breaths is all i'll need, for i'm a graduate at an English course and speaking a foreign language in front of hundreds of people might be scary.

December 6, 2003
Hello Mr. Dan,
I am writing for a different matter than what has been said and replied in this website: http://www.ceoblues.com/archives/2003/may/valedictorians
I have 3-daughters, Class 12, 10 and 6. My eldest is doing comparatively well as of now and wishes to be enrolled in any modest college in USA, Canada or any other developed world.
She will appear her Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination by the middle of 2004. Could you please let me know how I can send my daughter to one of the colleges in one of the "developed" countries of the world?
Look forward to ehar from you at your convenience.
Best wishes from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Muhammad Hafiz Ullah
CEO & Managing Director
SLS (PVT) LTD.
24 Station Road, Tejgaon,
Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
HP: +88 0171 594153, 011-842547
PH: +88 02 9121977, 8116991
FAX: +88 02 8119232, 9131405
E-mail: info@sls-bd.com
URL1: http://www.sls-bd.com/
URL2: http://www.citechco.net/sls/

hi im being selected as a valedictorion from my dept n now nothing abt it i just caught the sight of ur sight so how can u guide me in it? waiting for ur reply soon
tahira

My school does the whole valedictorian selection thing different and instead of being chosen, you get to audition for it! I'm graduating in 2004, but my speech is due for the audition in about two weeks. The advice I've read so far is awesome (Bono's commencement speech is really good) and now I'm seriously considering putting some personal experiences in my speech (I didn't want to at first cuz I thought that'd be pretty self-indulgent and boring). I might keep you guys posted on how it goes.

Hey all. Haha this is funny cuz I'm in the same boat as Miss Vincci there, we're competing actually. Yes we audition to be selected for valedictorian. Since I was a wee little girl I've wanted to be this special speaker with such an honour. Sure it's hard and time consuming and it'll be picked over, and sure I probably will get my dreams crushed and not win, but it's worth a try. I know I will regret it if I don't try and even though I had one day to write it and it kind of really sucks, I'm still handing it in and still auditioning....I just hope I don't lose my dignity.

wheres stupid people

I find it sort of ironic that valedictorians need help writing valedictorian speeches. Advice? Be truthful, and talk about what you have learned, and if your education to this point has helped at all.

If I were making the speech, I'd probably talk about manual transmissions.

I'm a little confused... I thought valedictorians are the ones with the highest grades in a graduating class. For example, I rank 1 out of 700 people in my graduating class. Therefore, I am known and will put on scholarship applications, etc, that I am the "valedictorian" of my highschool. Since when have people been 'elected' or auditioned for the spot? It is supposed to be something one has worked for, not who wrote the best speech.

I believed it was that way also, Sara. And the dictionary backs me up on that!

Wah wah, stop whining, just because my school does it differently doesn't mean you can complain about how "wrong" it is. Wowee, so your school just pulls out the smartest kid and tells them to write something, that's great. I think it's also great the way my school does it though, because by auditioning and having a panel of teachers and students vote, you get a person that might be a better reflection of the graduating class. Not everyone with the highest marks in school can write a good speech, or are a good speaker. If they can, well then, they'll win anyway, wouldn't they?

Hey, I guess I shouldn't be too stressed out about my valedictorian speech, since I have to give it in two months. Nevertheless, I have no idea where I should start, besides those cliches that you mentioned. There will be like three valedictorians, so we will inevitably be compared. Also, we have a huge school, so there will probably be around 3000 people at graduation. So I gotta make this pretty good. I would appreciate any input you could give. Thanks!

I completely agree with Dan. I'm soluditorian this year, and my friend, Amy (valedictorian) and I are going to give a speech together. We really have no idea what to talk about. Personally, I hate high school and I can't wait to be out of here. There is nothing good about this place, and I'm not terribly excited about graduation (just the graduating part). If anybody has any possible interesting topics that I could use, would you please e-mail me. I'd really appreciate it. thanx.

I'm a great writer..or so I'm told. I'm supposedly so "creative". Well, my valedictorian speech is due in less than two weeks..and all I have down is a lot of mumbo jumbo. Where's that creativity now?? I think high school is an important part of life...but it definitely isn't the most important and it sure the heck isn't the "best years of your life". I wish I could say how I really feel in my speech..if I could I would say..I've hated this school since the first day I set foot on campus. I can't stand half of my classmates and I'm ready to get the **** out of this place. We had some good times..and yeah it's kinda sad to say goodbye. In a few years, I won't even think about you. Anybody got any ideas of how I can incorporate that into my speech without getting suspended from school???!! l0l >:)

I have chosen to try to be the valedictorian for my school , but i have noe ideas on what to do ..........can u pleasse help me

hi i am a university valedictorian and like most of you have left the speech writing until two weeks before to start writing. this site has been a real eye opener and i have to say that after reading about all of the "things NOT to say" i don't feel that iam a very worthy graduate speaker.
as valedictorian of a business school i will be speaking on behalf of students from 4 different degrees (not to mention MBA's PhD's etc). for this reason i don't feel that it is very appropriate for me to speak about personal experiences as many of those i am representing i have never met and will never relate to. what would then be a good angle for me to take? any help would be most appreciated. should i use a theme?

I think what we need to do is have a website full of good observational jokes about general hihg school. Then we can look through them and say yeah that ones hilarious, and i see how it fits exactly into what happened at my school, and then we can make it our own. I beleive they call that plaigarism.. but the world is built on plaigarism, if no one plagiarised there wouldnt be any original shows on tv, like survivor, then the bachelor, then fear factor, or Ordinary joe.. yeah all thoes original things.. haha, yeah, screw originality.. what people want is something funny. Serious stuff is boring, and since no one cares anyway try to make everyone laugh their asses off.
My advice is, that if you feel touched by what you are saying.. no one gives a shit. Not to say that that kinda stuff isnt good, but keep that between you and your girlfriend.
Second. If you have a 5 minute speech you need five funnny things.. maybe not laugh my ass off funny, but huh thats funny, funny.. and if you can make them laugh my ass off funny then go for it!
Also, you wont miss anyone.. if you like them well enough to miss them then your gonna keep in touch with them in some respect.
you know the stuff you talk about with your friends in the halls, you knwo the nonsence stuff thats just hillarious.. bring some of that upo, maybe not everyone gets it, but they do.. and if its good, you can subtly fill in everyone else as to what your talking about, and thats how memories work..
Hey, you know what.. this long speech i gave you gave me ideas.. thanks... umm me thank me, haha na, your ideas are alos good.. yeah i wont quote dr seuse.. ill quote joe dirt, life is a garden.. DIG IT,

Wow, this site was, agreed, a total eye-opener. Thanks for starting it. My school, like a few of the others above, has an election-type process for valedictorian. I believe that some schools do it this way because the person with the highest grades may not neccessarily be the most comfortable addressing over 2000 (or however many) people on graduation night. We haven't held our elections yet, although I suspect they will be announced soon and I am planning to run. The hard part for me is that we have to give a speech just to get elected. Not our valedictorian speech, ANOTHER SPEECH! I'm finding this one really difficult to write because I keep looking at it as saying a speech about giving a speech. Thats weird to me and I don't know how to approach this idea. I don't know if I'll be elected yet, although I hope I will be, but if I am, then I'll worry about the actual valedictorian speech when that time comes, lol, or as most people have said above, the night before. :) Not that that is a bad thing, some people work best under pressure. If anyone has any suggestions for me, please e-mail them to me. Thanks in advance for your time, anything would be appreciated.

that is a very interesting way of going about it. you seem to have a way with words that some people will never quite understand.

hey all, my name is Gail and i was chosen to be this years valedictorian of Jr. High. i have no idea what to write about and have a while (until march 13) to get my speach ready for the audience. i really would like ur opinions. u can e me at gdflybaby@yahoo.com. plz and thank u.

I was the valedictorian of the class of 2000 at my school. It was a great experience. I went to a lot of honors events and I got a scholarship to a university. I hope you all have as much fun as I did.

I was valedictorian in elementary school and high school. They were excellent experiences. I hear that some schools are going to get rid of the tradition of picking valedictorians. What do you all think? Would this be fair? I know that they are doing this because of the competition, but at my school, no one was competing to become the valedictorian. It just happened. I also heard that at my school, there could not be two valedictorians. Who can help if their GPA is exactly the same as another student's??? What are some of the other systems of picking? Please post information.

Hey, I just wanted to thank whoever's site this is. It helped me out a lot. I was just recently named Salutatorian at my HS (I kinda slacked off senior year and knew I wouldn't get Valedictorian...:).

Anyway, to "brian" up there from the 5th: TS Elliot once said, "Good writers borrow. Great writers steal." I wholeheartedly believe that.

Anyway, now that my speech is done, I wanted to post a couple tips I've amassed over the past couple weeks. First, do your research. Read other people's speeches. Now, I'm not saying steal them, but read a couple dozen speeches then start writing your own. It will give you an idea of the many different directions you can take your speech. Second, I agree with brian again--BE FUNNY. Have a few humorous aspects to your speech; one per minute sounds pretty good. Even if you're not an incredibly funny person normally, add some humor. If you present it as a joke, I grantee it will get laughs or at least chuckles; all the parents and family members will be very happy and will probably laugh at ANYTHING you say that remotely resembles a joke. Third, make specific references to things at your school--make it personal. It doesn't have to be a speech full of memories, but there should be at least one anecdote (you can make this humorous and kill two birds with one stone). Finally, presentation is KEY. Even if you are simply competing for Valedictorian and presenting the speech in front of 5 people, do it WELL! My trick was to memorize it and actually take a step or two away from the podium to show I memorized it. I swear, constant eye-contact coupled with a humorous personal speech that ends with a point, and you are golden...that is if you don't mess up your senior year with a B or two like me :), but then there's always Saluditorian.

happyman it's great that your speech turned out to be a complete humorous indictment. Lend me your talent. Tell how your speech recieved laughs and chuckles!!! I need to know!!

Hey, I'm also a valedictorian at my high school and am having some trouble writing a speech. I want it to be funny and original (doesn't everybody) but everything i come up with tends to be cheesy, and i can't for the life of me think of a theme. So if anyone has any ideas, i would really appreciate it if you emailed me (humble_fat_girl@hotmail.com) subject valedictorian...thanks

PLease help me i am the valedictorian, i am the most sophisticated senior, and class secretary to name a few things, everyone at my school expects my speech to be all great and not boring and i have nothing to say email me if u have any ideas and my speech has to focus on GOODBYE for some reason make valedictorian the subject so i won't just delete it thank you

Hey, like all these people I have to write a speech for graduation. Not a very fun task. I've been staring at a blank screen for too long, so I decided to ask for some help. I wasn't given any directions and I don't know how to start it. How do you start something like this? Please, e-mail me with any suggestions!!

I have to have my speech done in two weeks and am having a really hard time getting going with it. I just need some good ideas to go on. My classmates want me to be funny and my parents want me to be serious. If you have any ideas of how to incorporate the two, let me know. I would really like someone to send me a copy of their speech, preferably a funny one.

i am in grade eight and am trying to write ideas for my valedictorian speech. i want the begining sentence to be the most meaningful and catch everyones attention but i not as corny as some of those cliches listed. Any help? Anyone?

This was given in 2002. It was well recieved.

It hardly seems possible that 13 years have passed since we embarked upon the journey which will end here tonight on this very stage.
I’d like to thank my parents and grandparents for putting up with me these past 18 years and supporting me in every cause I’ve pursued. Without the love and support of all of you parents, none of us could be here today to receive this great honor. I’d also like to thank the Industrial ISD faculty and staff for imparting us with the knowledge we’ve equipped to face life’s many trials and tribulations down the road. Considering the wages they pay you, your patronage is much appreciated.
So, anyway, as I was sitting at my father’s desk at 2:00 in the morning last Thursday night, racking my brains, trying to come up with something witty and intelligent to say in front of everyone, I realized something. As it turns out I’m not all that witty and intelligent, so I scratched that idea.
Then I thought maybe I’ll just tell a few stories from our past to impart a feeling of nostalgia upon the graduates and their families. Upon further consideration, I realized nobody really wants to hear about the time back in fourth grade when Troy Stindt was bitten by an ant that had crawled up his shorts while he was playing 4 square. Whereupon he immediately ran to the teacher on watch and shed his shorts so that she might better asses the situation at hand right in the middle of the playground. And no one wants to reflect upon the time our freshman year when Jena Pair, Kayla Thereford, Ashley Patton, Erin McDonald and Jennifer Nelson came to one of Bob’s parties dressed as the spice girls and sang their own rendition of “If You Want to Be My Lover.” That kind of stuff is just way to embarrassing and improper for a graduation ceremony.
After that, I decided maybe I could concoct an illustrious oration filled with euphoric locutions rivaling the wails of the mythical Sirens. But I realized using big words just isn’t my style, besides such a pretentious display of utter pedantry would probably just evoke a gradual coagulation of antipathies and irksome ennui from my audience anyway. In other words, it’d just bore you guys stiff.
Upon bailing on the whole smart guy act, I decided the best way to give a graduation speech would be to share a bit of philosophy. So I came up with lines like, “the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step,” and “shoot for the moon because even if you miss you’ll always land among the stars.” However, I quickly realized there’s really no point in trying to impose your life philosophy on others. For each man finds his own philosophy in life. That which is best suited to his private niche in society. All one must do to develop a healthy philosophy is listen to their heart and let their conscience guide them though the many and varied difficulties life deals them through the years.
So since philosophy was out, I turned to humor, but nothing I wrote was funny. I tried and tried but it was useless. Every effort I made was completely unsuccessful, I couldn’t make anything work. I felt a lot like Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Patton must have felt this year trying to teach us AP Calculus and Physics. Everything was in vain.
When I finally realized I was beating a dead horse with that humor angle, I vied instead for the school spirit approach. I thought I’d submit a plea to the lower classmen to keep Industrial alive. This is our home, and up until now, it is the only life many of us have ever known. It would be comforting to us outgoing seniors to know that the Industrialite world which we’ve worked so hard at preserving will remain for future generations to experience and for us to fall back on if worse comes to worse. Keep the pride alive and help it to grow, is what I would’ve told them, but I decided they get plenty of those types of speeches from the coaches and Mr. Williams. Heaven forbid I sound redundant at graduation.
As my final option, I weighed the idea of leaving you with a few tidbits of advice to use out in the real world. I was going to say things like never get too wrapped up in your work to enjoy life, and always remember that true happiness is not gained through success, but rather from sharing love with one’s friends and family. I thought I’d advise everyone to take life one day at a time, and always remember on the bad days that tomorrow will come and one day soon that tomorrow will make every today worth the wait. I even had an ending this time, I though I’d end by suggesting that we let down all the barriers and spend the last few moments we have together as one united student body. That’s when I realized, hey, I’ve never done this before, what do I know of how we should spend these final moments and how can I presume to give any advice on the real world. I’m an 18 year old boy, not quite out of high school yet. I’m about as much of an authority on the real world as Bill Clinton is on marital fidelity.
By the time I’d sorted through all these options and shot down every last one, it was nearly 5:00 a.m. That’s about the time I decided this graduation speech thing was way too much of a hassle and gave up on the whole idea. So, thank you for coming out, but there will be no Valedictorian speech this year.

Dan, or anyone else that can give me some guidance, I ask you:

Is it bad at all to involve the audience in one's speech? I plan on starting my speech using every cliche phrase you have mentioned, but with a twist in assigning 1 person of the graduating class to yell "You suck!" and everyone following with "Boooo!", mainly because it's the only original thing I could come up with. People come to hear something original, and I just want to toy with them. After, of course, I have another speech memorized which I will say aloud, as if I'm giving the "illusion" of improvisation.

Is this a good idea, or should I just stick with my "real" speech?

Like half of the poor souls on this page i too must conduct a valedictorian speech for my graduation, and also like the other valedictorians i have the same desires for the greatness of my speech. I beg of any recollection of past speeches or advice that any of you might have. please e-mail me with subject valedictorian speech.

im going to write on hebrews 11:1. i live in the buckle of the Bible belt in southern mississippi, so i have no worries about stepping on toes. im just going to wing it and be myself. theres no one better to be. good luck to the rest of yall. i just need to find enough words for my speech, so far its about a minute long. grr.. i'll keep writing. have fun with it.

Great speech, clayton. I thought about the humorous "smart person" approach.. and I still think I might go with that (for a couple sentences anyway). Good luck to all you others.

Hi everyone, I too have been voted as Valedictorian of my graduating class. Our highschool is unique in the sense that it is brand new, and we are the first ever graduating class....I guess that'd make me the first valedictorian? I'm not here to ask for help, I just want to give some advice that I found helped me. Take some time, sit down, and just start writing any idea that comes to mind. It may be stupid, it may be brilliant, doesn't matter. Then when you're done writing, read everything over, see what rings a bell and what doesn't...add things, take away things. Talk to all social groups on your school, don't isolate anybody, and remember that people didn't vote you in so you could talk about yourself. I find that sitting down somewhere quiet, letting my mind wander over the past 4 years, and jotting it all down works very well....Good luck to all of you and your speeches, I still gotta finish mine!

I go to a small private christian school, and I have been working toward Valedictorian since middle school, but now that it's finally here, I'm freaking out. Yes I'm excited, but I (like lots of other people) really want this to be something my school will remember - something that will inspire them - something that isn't like "every other" valedictorian speech. I just want to say congrats to all you other Valedictorians, I know it's hard work and sometimes you don't get recognized enough, so WAY TO GO AND GOOD LOOK ON THE SPEECH!

Please somebody help me. I ALSO have been chosen for the worst speech ever i must have it ready by the 20th and have no idea what to write. I graduated from an alternative school in October and have to present the speech now with a class i dont even know i am the first valedictorian and want to make a good speech. Help Pleaseeeeee

wow- great speech, clayton. i wish you hadn't of done that, otherwise i'd love to have used it! anyhow, i have to have my valedictorian speech done asap - i have teachers asking me abpout it every day...it's not started, but i have unitl the 22nd. (i love that i'm not the only procrastinator out there!!) i was originally going to use some cliches (without even realizing it!-how sad!), but now i realized how fun this could potentially be....maybe....maybe not. I just wish mine could be as funny and fun as clayton's....! If anyone has any other specific advice, feel free to please email me!! I'm just a simple, happy-to-be-graduating girl with a barin block...! it's great to know i'm not alone though!!

Hi again, I was also wondering, if any of you guys have finished your speeches and when you guys read them to your graduating class, can you please post how things went for you here??? I don't grad until June 22nd, so it's still a long way off! Any post would be really appreciated!

Beth - I graduated along with 80 of my lifelong friends from a small rural high school. Trust me......no one attending your graduation will have heard my speech. Feel free to borrow and adapt. I dreaded that moment for four years and waited until the last week to write it. My brother has to deliver his V-speech May 28th and hasn't done anything constructive yet. Since it is due next Wed. and he would rather party than think - any ideas would really help him, too.

I'm another Valedictorian dreading speach time. I have no idea where to even start. But I have another problem....being co-valedictorian, what if I mocked all the cliches only to find out that the other valedictorian used some in his speech....

It seems like most of you are opting for the more casual approach on your speeches. However, do remember that for some people in your class, highschool will be the highest level of education they achieve. Maybe they would rather hear something meaningful than funny? Graduation is a formal event meant to celebrate an important milestone in a person's life, so the tone of your speech should be formal as well.

On a final note, the best advice I can give to help with your speeches is to talk to your english teacher, or someone like that, who can help you with ideas and edit your speech. They've been to many graduations before and know what do say.

Once again, it is another valedictorian who needs help with the speech. I have known for a good while that I would be valedictorian, and I have somewhat of an outline right now, but I need a finished version by the 24th. I like the casual approach, but I do want some serious stuff as well. Any advice, especially on the beginning, would be greatly appreciated. I have posted my email address so please write with all the advice you are willing to give.

I just wanted to let all the procrastinators out there feel a little bit better. It's 12 am right now and I have 8 hours until I have to submit my valedictorian speech for approval and I haven't started it at all. In fact I have no idea what I plan to say, I came to this site looking for advice and I just ended up procrastinating more and writing a reply. Well, best of luck to everyone out there having to write a valedictorian speech and just be happy to know you probably have more time than me.

I have the task of delivering my speech in a week. I think I would like to use the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Do you feel that this would be a good way to thread my speech or is it too well known? I can't decide if I want the speech to be very familiar or completely original. Thank you for your input.

Hey, I am graduating next Saturday, the 29th. The rough draft of my speech is due tomorrow, and I at least have a very small start on it! I am totally lacking inspiration though. The final draft is due a week from today. I liked Clayton's speech, and I have considered taking a similar angle. I was also trying to think of a really creative analogy for graduation, but I haven't really thought of a good one yet. I really need some help with ideas, I am open to any suggestions! Please email me as soon as possible. Thank you!!

PLEASE HELP I HAVE ALREADY LEFT ONE MESSAGE ON HERE BUT NO ONE HAS REPLIED MY SPEECH IS DUE FRIDAY MORNING, I HAVEN'T STARTED. i HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO WRITE AND I CAN'T MAKE MYSELF ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND THINK ABOUT IT PLEASE PLEASE HELP SEND ME AN EMAIL IF U WANT HEFTYCAT04@AOL.COM SUBJECT:VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH

Hey guys! This site has good stuff but i need some more help. I have not yet been chosesn for valedictorian, but i was nominated to be it. Now i have to do a speech on why i should be class valedictorian. But i dont want to sound stuck up. HELP ITS DO IN LIKE 9 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!! post something or email me!!!!!!!PLEASe

any ideas at all. im in 8th grade. anything at all email me plz. plz.plz. very desperate

I am the final valedictorian speaking at my high school graduation on the 2nd of June. I recommend keeping your speech light, short, and, above all, engaging. Graduation is a long ceremony filled with mostly boring speeches; another trite, clichaic, formulaic speech will not be remembered.

If you can pull it off, be funny. I have been to a lot of speech tournaments, invariably the speeches that do the best are the funny ones, especially in typically non-humorous categories. Everyone is expecting you to be serious, surprise them with humor. However, if you cannot be funny, DO NOT FORCE IT! Nothing is more horrendous than a potentially funny speech delivered poorly by a person incapable of conveying humor.

Be yourself. The people who are graduating with you have had at least four years to get to know you. Trying to portray yourself as someone you are not will likely annoy many people; no one likes a phony. However, do not be afraid to show another side of yourself. I am, by nature, a serious person, but I intend to show my class the lighter side of my personality.

Here is a draft of my speech. Feel free to borrow, but I doubt there will be much you can use. My speech was written by me, specifically for me. I have a well-deserved reputation of intense, but benevolent, arrogance (I prefer to think of it as pride) at my school, and I have written this into my speech. It needs to be fleshed out more, but this is just a draft.

Ladies, Gentleman, and [With rising volume] the 2004 Class of [insert school here]!

[Continue with normal volume] I am David [insert last name here], the resident smart as- I mean smart guy. You know the type, I’m the guy who complains about “only scoring a 95 on the last test,” while you stare down at the your ugly little 82. And, of course, I am the person who always wants to compare test scores. I might ask, “How did you do on the SAT?” and the reply is inevitably, “Shut up, [insert nickname here]! We all know you scored a 1600. Get over yourself.” Now what they fail to realize, is that [With a wide-eyed appearance of innocence] I am a truly humble guy and my only intention was to find out how well they did. By the way, did you know I scored a 1600 on the SAT? See what I mean? I’m just a humble guy.

I stand before you today because, well, because I have the somewhat ubiquitous honor of being a valedictorian. [With a heaping amount of sarcasm] See, EVERYONE knows valedictorians give great speeches. That high GPA just magically translates into FANTASTIC speaking abilities. O wait, it doesn’t, but that aside, I will attempt to prolong the already excruciating, Hibbert that means very painful, length of this ceremony. Please continue with your politely feigned attention.

My friends, and people I don’t know, this day has finally, FINALLY arrived, the day where we pick up that little slip of paper and we move on, on into the world of adulthood. Congratulations! Of course the ramifications of this new adult world has yet to fully sink in, so permit me to educate you. If you are going to college, you have a few more years of good times and mooching off your parents. I was at Notre Dame, the university, not the church, the weekend of Saint Patrick’s Day [Laughs]; now I’m not saying I did anything illegal [Wink-wink], but it was pretty crazy and a lot of fun. Yep, it was 2 o clock in the morning and we were heatedly debating the socioeconomic underpinnings of American politics. It was interesting stuff. [Confused outrage] WHAT? What did you think I was doing!?

No matter where you go, college is going to be awesome, just try to get in a little bit of studying in between parties. Now, for those of you going straight into the workforce, brace yourself for a strong dose of reality. Instead of going to school, you get to go to work, for eight hours a day, five days a week, for the next, oh [Looks at watch], forty-seven years of your life. Ain’t that a hoot?

[With expansive grandeur] Now, where is the great [insert name here], [Interjecting aside to the audience] that’s me for those of you just waking up, [Continue grandly] going to college? My top two choices, Princeton and Harvard, wait-listed me. When I found out, I was AB-SOL-UTE-LY DEVASTATED ? for a few days. Then I realized, you know, I have some pretty good backup schools: Willamette University, the University of Notre Dame, and Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school, by the way. I was leaning towards Dartmouth College and the Ivy League, when I got a letter from a little school down in California. Their financial aid package was excellent, and I decided that I just [With an air of great sacrifice] HAD to sacrifice the prestige Ivy League for the sake of my parent’s pocket book. So where am I going to college? [Deliberately understated] Its a little place called Stanford University. You might have heard of it, I hear it’s a pretty good school. [Huge grin]

Stanford is amazing: brilliant students, world-class professors, great weather, and an absolutely gorgeous campus. If you can get in, I HIGHLY recommend going. [With an air of imaginative imagery] Think of palm trees waving in a gentle breeze underneath a crystal blue sky and the sunlight reflecting off the red tile roofs of the stone buildings. It was honestly like that: paradise on earth.

Okay, this is where I am supposed to impart some deep meaningful sentiment, something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of anything. Well nothing except for this: [seriously now] happiness is defined by others only if you allow it. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to Stanford, to Western Oregon, or to work at Mickey Ds, if you’re happy that is all that truly counts. There will always be someone out there smarter, cuter, and richer than you, but this can only prevent you from living a happy life if you let it. Bottomline: don’t take life too seriously, it’s not like you’re getting out alive.

Thank you for listening. Peace out.

End Speech

At this point, the speech is mostly about me, but I intend to develop this speech further in the next few days so there will be more about my classmates. I know this probably doesn't help you guys out there very much, but I thought another example might get your creative juices flowing.

PS- If any of the vals from WAHS see this post, this is who exactly you think it is. Please keep it to yourselves about my college choice.

Just a clarification.

PS- If any of the vals from WAHS see the above post, this is exactly who you think this is. Please keep my college choice to yourself.

Great speech, maybe I opt for the different approach, personally my advice to you all is NOT to talk about yourself, the less you talk about yourself the better. People didn't vote you in to talk about yourself, it is to speak to them, address the graduating class. Also, remember that not everybody voted for you just because you won, don't give into the illusion that you're the most popular person in school, chances are, there is someone out there that doesn't feel so hot for you. point being, dont talk about yourself, and dont isolate anyone. You are picked to REPRESENT the GRADS, ALL of them! Don't forget that, best of luck to the rest of you, I gotta finish my speech!

Tuan

I have realized that my speech is mostly about me, but I am still in the process of writing. This is just a draft, and the final product will probably look much different. My biggest problem is that I am a transfer student, so I do not have many common memories/experiences that I share with them. Valedictorians are not voted on at my school, it's strictly about GPA and meeting the requirements. Had it come to a vote, I am sure my classmates would have picked one of the popular vals.

As I said before, I am an intensely proud person, and the speech reflects the person. Part of the reason the speech is so much about me is the struggle I have had go through to get to this point in my life. Graduation, for me, is not about my classmates at all, its about finally overcoming the doubters and the naysayers. I am a val and I did it in spite of all those who believed/hoped/prayed I would fail.

In general, I agree with Tuan. The speech should not be about yourself, nevertheless the components of the draft will be incorporated into the finished product largely unchanged. I have no inspiring message, no nostalgic monologue, and no clichiac platitudes to bear to my class. What gives me the right to try to inspire my classmates? Who is to say I have trod a harder path than the 1.00 GPA graduate who had to overcome the vicissitudes of real life? I am not going to write the usual upbeat tripe about how great high school was, because it was only great to the denizens of the higher echelons of the artificial high school hierarchal social order. I refuse to sugercoat the accomplishments/talents of my class. We are just like any other average high school class across the nation; there is nothing special about us and to say otherwise is to indulge in fantasy.

For some people graduation is a very emotional, special day. For me and for my friends, it is simply a ritual to be completed on the way to bigger and better things. As there are multiple vals at my school, I am sure the platitude seekers will find a superabundance of cliches and meaningless anecdotes.

Sorry if I sound a little miffed. A few of the other vals at my school are somewhat appalled I have not given into the conformity and written the usual upbeat garbage as they intend to. As I have already demanded and received the privilege of speaking last, I believe they are afraid my speech will make a mockery out of theirs, especially if I add a proposed section dismantling/scorning the usual cliches employed in graduation speeches.

One last piece of advice. High school graduation is a one-shot deal; if you have something you want to say, just say it. This is your only opportunity to make a statement about high school. Say what you want and let the chips fall where they may. Graduation is about your class, but it is also about you.

I'm not quite sure why people keep saying "voted me in." Around here, you earn it with your grades... And to DYSH up there - I wouldn't suggest the bit about people who are going straight into the workforce. It doesn't seem tasteful.

I need help, just like everyone else here...I have a speech, but I still need help! My friends like it, my parents hate it, my teacher likes it, my assistant principal thinks it's trash. I am the last speaker at my graduation, saying the only speech that is not completely serious. Please make comments so I know what to change--is the bit about the blondes offensive? Do you get my point? Or is it too flippant?

Help!!

THanks bunches!

THis is the speech:

DEEP THOUGHTS BY LAURA

Hello everyone!

Before I begin, I just want to make something clear. Even though I am supposed to have some kind of secret knowledge that landed me here in the first place—I don’t. Contrary to popular belief, I am not the brightest crayon in the box. My darling sisters would readily tell you that I am a pineapple—brown on the outside, but undeniably blonde on the inside.

Being the valedictorian, everyone expects something of you. They expect genius. They expect perfection. But I am a pineapple—lacking in both genius and perfection. Whenever I am caught in my moments of blondeness, I will be forever reminded that I was the valedictorian. If I were to ask if cannibalism were illegal, I will get?“LAURA! You were the valedictorian?” When I sit there yelling at a computer for not working only to realize it was never plugged in, I will get? “You were the valedictorian?” And when I am 87 years old, looking for the glasses that are on my head and the dentures that are falling out of my mouth, I will get?“Grandma Laura was the valedictorian?”

But without my “duh” moments, I would not be me. I would not own the title as the queen of stupid questions. And I wouldn’t have been the valedictorian. No matter what you may otherwise hear, blonde moments can lead to moments of enlightenment. The following are three things everyone should know, but no one tells you—unless you ask a stupid question.

NUMBER ONE

Every time a fly lands on your food, it gags. Throws up. Regurgitates. Retches. That means that when you take a bite of that sandwich after you just swatted away a fly, in addition to that tasty goodness, you are also consuming fly throw-up.

And you know in the summertime when flies go into your eye and up your nose, and they never see the light of day again? Well, if you follow the logic, that means that chances are, those flies throw-up in your eye and up your nose.

But no matter if the fly flew up your nose or threw up on your sandwich; it made its mark—you won’t readily forget about. Although you may walk away