Graduation Speeches?

<p>Anybody else having to give a speech at graduation? I just officially found out I’ll have to and I'm looking for some down ideas that won't put the crowd to sleep or throwing rotten fruit & veggies and ladies undergarments (well, actually the last one would be fine--and appreciated).
I have never even heard a graduation speech so I’m SOL. Also, does your school get to proof-read your speech? Have you heard any crowd-cheering-laughing-cringing-in-disbelief lines? Is this a good time to get back at a real jerk-off teacher/coach?</p>

<p>I saw a few “1/xxx” people on the rd/ed lists and I'd appreciate any good or funny or wicked ideas from anyone.</p>

<p>for the longest time i thought i'd simply say good riddance in my graduation speech thingy, but that would probably get me kicked out. we're in the same boat, kalidescope.</p>

<p>Last year, our valedictorian delivered a pretty generic, hopeful and uplifting speech about our futures and the need to work in a goal oriented manner, etc.
The salutorian's speech, however, was very comedic. It was optimistic and reeking of good values and everything, but the delivery was very entertaining. Some were turned off when he went back at the end and repeated the majority of the speech in Spanish.</p>

<p>awwww... we were supposed to hear like a month ago, but no one in the administration has told us who is officially the valedictorian/salutatorian. oh well....</p>

<p>I have to make a speech too, but I will be given a quote that is the graduation's theme and I'll have to base it on that...which sucks! Knowing the administration they'll pick something really infantile or clich</p>

<p>I go to a small prep school where our graduating class will have 51 people....so traditionally, our valedictorian is able to incorporate almost all of the seniors into his/her speech. We all know each other so well that we can poke fun at everyone, including all of our teachers, and the jokes don't go over anyone's head. . .but that's kinda unique to a small-school environment, i'd think. Try working inside jokes about 500 kids into a speech, and you'll be there all night.</p>

<p>I'm in the same bind. I just found out a couple of weeks ago and I don't have any idea what I'll say--I just don't want it to sound like I'm reading from HallMark Cards. I've never heard a good graduation speech and I don't know how much laditude I'll be given to say what I want. Certainly the bar has been set low.</p>

<p>I'd appreciate any good one-liners if anybody has any.</p>

<p>rest assured the most will not listen closely during the ceremony, nor remember a word of it the next day.</p>

<p>If your voice cracks, you're screwed. In this event, run from the stage cursing and waving your hands above your head until you reach the parking lot. Have a friend keep the motor running.</p>