<p>Hello. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this post and at least consider my situation. :)</p>
<p>I have to give a speech at graduation. I’m not sure if I’m the most suitable for this opportunity, but it’s high school tradition after all.</p>
<p>I don’t know what format is most suitable for the speech, but I think I don’t want to do the traditional, clich</p>
<p>Watch some you tube videos of funny val speeches. Don’t copy them, but they may give you some good ideas. My won did a funny speech. He made some references that only his friends would understand the humor. </p>
<p>It was definitely funny. But still respectful. </p>
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<p>Did any of the other classmates feel left out because of that? Or their parents (because I know parents’ number 1 priority at Graduation is their own child(ren))?</p>
<p>2 of my sons were vals. and had to give speeches. Both of them got samples of speeches that were given before, and some advice from the principal. These speeches also had to be approved by the principal before graduation. They were both very good, although the salutorian on one of them had us rolling in our seats. My son had the more serious rah-rah speech (mentioned some class achievements etc.) where the sal had star war references and actually made a kind joke at my son’s expense (which he loved). I think it worked because there were 2 speeches. Are there 2 speeches at your school. If you are the only one, make it funny but also make it sincere and yes, mention your grades accomplishments (doesn’t have to be by name) to make it special for them. An inside joke or two is okay but don’t make it the focus of your speech.</p>
<p>No, they did not feel left out at all because it was subtle. The actual line was something like</p>
<p>" I looked to the “Steves” for a quote or inspiration for my speech. Steve Hawking, Steve Spielberg, and, as much as it pained me, even Steve Jobs."</p>
<p>My son is a CS kid, really dislikes apple. But a little bit of a star wars and science geek. His closest friends were rolling, everyone else thought it was funny but still sort of got the joke. </p>
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<p>D quoted Harry Potter and Dr. Who in her speech. Another girl used line from Selena Gomez song (kind of on a dare) but the speeches still made points about finishing one stage of life and moving on to next and what makes us good people…You don’t have to stuffy, just true to yourself.</p>
<p>What an honor! Good luck and enjoy it. No matter what you include, Mufeed, write it early enough to do several revisions, and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Use a mirror. Have someone besides your parents do the video recording so they can just enjoy this moment. Better yet, ask two people to video it.</p>
<p>The Salutatorian gives a Salutation, kind of like a welcome speech. The Valedictorian gives a Valediction, or a farewell speech.</p>
<p>Tips: Don’t make the speech about yourself. Make it about the class. Say goodbye to the teachers and thank them. Give the class a blessing of some type, and give them a charge (make a difference, be your best, etc.). Say goodbye to the class.</p>
<p>Thank you all very much for your suggestions. EastGrad, thank you for the congrats. I’m very honored that I was given the opportunity to represent my class. Also thank you for the advice on how to practice it. I love the idea of surprising my parents with it.</p>
<p>vlines, I think I would like your son. I absolutely detest Apple products. ;)</p>
<p>kjcphmom, yes there are 2 student speeches–one for the salutatorian and one for the valedictorian–at my high school. </p>
<p>My classmates should be able to pick up most of the jokes that I’m thinking of including. Some of them will be a little obscure though.</p>
<p>I don’t wish to brag about myself whatsoever. It’s the class’s graduation, not solely mine, so wouldn’t it be rude if I talk about my achievements? Additionally, I don’t really like talking about myself.</p>
<p>scmom12, did you or anyone else think it was cheesy at all to talk about the so-called “next chapter in life”?</p>
<p>Just to make it clear, the reason I’m asking these questions isn’t because I want to be a people-pleaser—because that’s not who I am—I just want to take into consideration that this is not only my graduation but everybody’s. I definitely will show my personality in the speech though.</p>
<p>Is there anything that parents specifically in the audience look for or like in a graduation speech? Or do the adults mainly zone out until diplomas are handed out?</p>
<p>I’m grateful for everyone’s suggestions!</p>
<p>^^^No do not talk about your accomplishments. I should have used “class” accomplishments instead of “your grades accomplishments” in my post. I know that some vals will make mention about some important events in the 4 years they were there…football championship, fundraising events your class is proud of, etc.<br>
I’m actually impressed you are already working on your speech (my sons procrastinated) and since it is important to you, I know you will do a great job on it.</p>
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<p>Did you ever think about why Graduation is also called Commencement?</p>
<p>Please don’t do what everyone does. Please don’t say, “It seems like yesterday, but it was 4 years ago we walked thru these doors as scared freshmen. It seemed like the seniors were so old and we would never find our classrooms… Sophomore year we (fill in event of soph year). … Junior year came, we had prom, yadda yadda and now before we know it we’re graduating.” Just don’t do the walkthrough of 4 years in chronological order, and “I can’t believe it went by so fast.” EVERYONE does it.</p>
<p>Practice you speech a number of times. Try it out on several different people, including a couple of adults and a couple of classmates. Really listen to what they tell you. This is particularly important if you want to be funny, but not offensive.</p>
<p>Keep it short.</p>
<p>^^As the saying goes, be bright, be brief, be gone. Don’t try to be funny or self deprecating unless that is who you are. You don’t necessarily need to be inspirational as the day is, in itself, inspirational. The best high school commencement address I’ve heard was one that connected the students, the teachers and the parents. The absolute least favorite was a val who actually read the entire Places You’ll Go book by Suess and then sat down.</p>
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<p>You are absolutely correct. Nobody likes to sit and listen to a speech that extolls the virtues of the speaker. Do not go up and talk about your grades and accomplishments as your graduation speech. It’s obnoxious. You may mention a particular accomplishment if it is relevant to your speech topic but you are right that graduation is not the appropriate time to go on and on about your accomplishments.</p>