Valedictorian Speech

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CAnderson197

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So, I was trying to find out what ya'll think of the start of my valedictorian speech, as the beginning and the end are the most important part.
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I know what you all are thinking-This is going to be another speech about how these four years have past so fast and how as long as we stay together, we will be fine. However, my speech is one on another important theme...The pursuit and focus upon your dreams. Christopher Reeve Said: "At first our dreams seem impossible, then how quickly they become possible but finally, when we summon the will they become inevitable". Today, we embark upon our journey into adulthood and for those of us who've played football for Coach Jeff Bayuk we have heard many a time: "It's not the destination, it's the journey that's important". Along the path of our journey I hope that we never lose our ability to dream, for when you lose your ability to dream you stop striving for more.

[Insert Body of speech here.....]


I leave you today with a passage from Jeremiah:

"I know the plans I have for you," announced the lord. "I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me"

Now on this day, let us go forward and pursue our dreams. The younger generation depends on this pursuit.
 
Because there is essentially no such thing as a memorable speech by a high school valedictorian or salutatorian, my advice is to break with convention and deliver a speech that creates a buzz in the crowd. There are lots of ways of doing this and you'll have to use your imagination. If interested, feel free to PM me and I will give you some ideas.

I understand you are at the mercy (censorship) of your administration, but don't let that deter you. Give them a copy of the kind of sop they are expecting and then deliver the real speech from memory.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I gave my son the same advice I am giving you but he didn't have the self-confidence to follow through. He was obedient to the administration's demand for a vacuous, vanilla message. When I addressed my class at graduate school commencement I was beyond my days of making a 'statement' and used humor instead. There was still a buzz but it was from laughter instead.
 
Because I go to a public school, I got a no-go email on the scripture at the end, becuase it's not representing all denominations of religion at our school. But, i believe that I'm just going to say it regardless. Do you think they'll like cut off my mic or something If I drop the G-Word or something?
 
FWIW:
Do not go against your school's administration - this shows disrespted and immaturity. You are entering a professions where respect is expected even if you dont agree with it.....

The most memorable grad speech I ever heard was about 7 years ago -(I have been going to high school graduations for 12 years now) - he talked about his favorite book - Dr Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" - Yep - how the underlying theme is to not be afraid to try new things. It was timlely and funny and still remembered in the community.
The most uncomfortable one I ever sat through was one which refered to God - the entire audience was obviously uncomfortable and no one remembers the message - we just refer to it as "The God Speech"

In then end you will do what you want but remember to KISS (keep it simple stupid!)

Congratulations and Good Luck!
 
^^^^^^ Great advice.

Or you could use my youngest son's response to the most influential book he had ever read question on his successful CalTech application, "The Little Engine that Could".
 
I know what you all are thinking-This is going to be another speech about how these four years have past so fast and how as long as we stay together, we will be fine. However, my speech is one on another important theme...The pursuit and focus upon your dreams. Christopher Reeve Said: "At first our dreams seem impossible, then how quickly they become possible but finally, when we summon the will they become inevitable". Today, we embark upon our journey into adulthood and for those of us who've played football for Coach Jeff Bayuk we have heard many a time: "It's not the destination, it's the journey that's important". Along the path of our journey I hope that we never lose our ability to dream, for when you lose your ability to dream you stop striving for more.

When we all began our journey at HHS we came here not knowing what to expect but knew that in order to be successful in life, we had to give it our all. Well my friends, I want you all to think of life as a circle. We have completed one revolution, and now we must start again at square one. As we embark on our journey, we must again start with nothing but our hopes and dreams and our philosophy of hardwork. The combination of these three will take us further than anything else ever could.

I want to share with you a story of my Freshman year, standing in the middle of the Jerome Shottenstein Center at OSU for my first ever state tournament. It had been my dream to be a state qualifier my freshman year, since the day I walked onto a wrestling mat. Everyone told me I could never do it and that I was going to be eaten alive by the senior competition throughout the season. As I stood facing the brackets hung on the walls, I looked and saw that as a freshman my first match was going to be against a senior with a record of 48 wins and 1 loss. I was scared not only for my pride but for my own health, then I realized: Who is this man that gives him the right to stand in my way of my dream being a state place winner? I went out onto the mat, and 3 minutes later came bakc victorious. I know you may be wondering, what is the point in this story? What we may face may seem insurmountable, but when we put forth the work and dream big with a little assistance from the man up stairs, anything is possible.

Dreams are a funny thing, my friends. No great man has ever succeded without a dream, for without a dream there can be no idea. Some of us dream differently;Some of us dream of glory on the field of athletics, others dream of riches and for others still we dream of success on the field of battle. But no matter the diversity in the dream, we all still share that common dream. Now, here comes the cliche part: Although we may all dream differently, we can not do it alone. We must always be there for one another to provide assistance and support or we will all fail.

It is on this day I am reminded of Tim O'Brien's short story "Speaking of Courage". In the story, Paul-The main charecter-is at a crossroads, where he makes the safer choice and lives forever with the regret of not earning a Silver Star. I beg of you all, do not live your lives with regrets because you are afraid to put yourself out there, you will only be given so many open doors to success within your dreams, may you have the strength to go after them!

[this is the part i do not know if i will say]
I leave you today with a passage from Jeremiah:

"I know the plans I have for you," announced the lord. "I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me"
[end part i do not know if i should say]

Now on this day, let us go forward and pursue our dreams. The younger generation depends on this pursuit.
 
That's the completed speech, or so I think...I've changed it so many times.
 
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