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Informal essay on life after high school
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English class graduation speech
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Recommended: Informal essay on life after high school
Ah, life eh? Hello Class of 2012. There are so many things to say to you. I feel so privileged to get to speak to everyone, and there is so much to say. We have come to this point in our lives that many have come to before us. I almost feel like I have done it already, having watched people grow up and graduate before. But now today it is our turn to really do it. To walk this aisle, to sit in the seats, and to play with these tassels. It seems like so long ago and it seems like just yesterday, those perils of adolescence. Brier Terrace Middle School, just seething with awkwardness and emotions, was where I spent most of my days, chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool, playing some b-ball outside of my school. One of my most memorable days at Brier was a day my friend Kyle kicked me in the face. We were playing Zebra ball in P.E., probably one of the legendary Mr. Soward's inventions, and I was already out, sitting on the wall waiting for the next round to begin. Kyle was still in the game running around, when he, in an attempt to dodge a ball hurling at him, tried to leap over me, unintentionally kicking me squarely in the face. My glasses broke a little and I was super embarrassed. Kyle had no idea that he did it and kept playing. Casually at lunch later, I told him what happened, as if he would want to know. It is funny what an impact, literally, our experience in school has made on us and also the impact we have made on them. Academically, we have achieved much at our school. Every one of us here has accumulated twenty-two Green Terrace High School credits and individually our very own Senior Project. A big pat on the back seems deserved by everyone here for four years of hard work. Some here get a big slap on... ... middle of paper ... ...e that meant something to others, like Kyle and Mr. Tolstoy didn't, but you undoubtedly have. Don't forget the lessons that we have learned from each other. The ones in friendship, in love and all the lessons of just plain how to live well. My prayer for all of you is that you will not give up this wonderful habit of giving to people in this way, but that separately, as we all diverge from this place, you will live lives knowing that human worth is not dependent on achievement, but on simple existence. Find purpose in what comes naturally to all of us, to love. Class of 2003, you have given me more than I asked for, more than the titles I have received or accomplishments I have made, you have called me sister. Go out and be great because you are able to love greatly. Thank you so much for the honor of speaking. I adore you, my brothers and sisters, Class of 2003
To the County High School Class of 2012: As you sit in front of me, I know what most of you are thinking at the moment. There are those who are already pondering about what life without high school will be like; those who are debating whether or not to tell your crush tonight about your whispers of adoration you’ve secretly held for four years; some simply want to get out of that ungodly chair, get that thing that isn’t really a diploma but only tells you when to pick up the thing, and then be the first one on the green bus to the grad party — you know who you are. And the rest, well, the rest aren’t even paying attention, you’re thinking, “Great, here comes one of the valedictorian speakers. Next up: a boring speech straight out of the pits of scholarly hell.” And it’s OK, I don’t mind — that sort of thing comes with the territory. But tonight, I ask that you give me a chance to break that stereotype so that I may address you in the full splendor that you deserve after 13 grueling years of work. I do not want to be known as your “valedictorian” as I stand here, c’mon guys, there is no time left to place labels on people anymore, instead I ask that you accept me as one of your peers — and as a man who will enjoy becoming a graduate alongside you.
When I was in elementary school, I loved to read. I was a total nerd back then ... okay maybe I still am, but one thing has changed. Now I don't so much like reading. My favorite poet was Shel Silverstein, who wrote "Where the Sidewalk Ends." He seemed like he was a total hippie, but that's cool because I like hippies. My grandma is a recovering hippie. I like her too. Anyway, Shel Silverstein wrote about the coolest things. He wrote about magical erasers, eating whales and a boy with long hair flying away from people who were taunting him. He captured all of the things that I loved without knowing that I actually loved them. Now you may ask, how does this hippie relate to our graduation? Well, he wrote a poem entitled "Traffic Light" and this is how it goes:
Good evening. Some of you out there may not realize this but those of you who attended Suntime Middle School have been with this guy for the last seven years. I would like to ask you all, not just Suntime Middle School grads and who all else, to join me in thanking Mr. Weather for his patience and dedication to the success of our education over the years. We are the Class of 2000. The first graduating class of the new millennium. The past four years have been pretty wild. We started out as a bunch of rats in a small cage, but as time went by we learned and matured and became big rats in a new small cage, but in any case, the cage door is now opening; the handlers turning us wild things loose. As we leave "Where the Wild Things Are," home to some of the best cat fights, fist fights and food fights this side of the Cascades, I have a little surprise for all of you sitting in front of me here tonight in your caps and gowns … we ain’t seen nothing yet!
As much as this class has grown together, every one of us has also grown as a unique individual. We have found our talents and interests. These interests have drawn us to different activities and in turn helped shape our lives. Some of us have excelled academically while others have helped improve Summer High School by participating in activities such as Link Crew or ASB. Some of us acted in plays while others shared their musical talents by singing in the choir or performing with our outstanding band. Many of us have preferred to be involved in community service with a group like KEY Club. In addition to these school activities, many of us have invested time in jobs and other community activities.
For the past four years, we have seen stories, read newspaper articles, and have heard announcements about our star athletes, scholars and over achievers. Although it is undeniable that they have left their footprints at County High by trying incessantly to better themselves, as you are on the brink of adulthood, you can't help but ask yourself, "What about me?" What about my effort to just get by? We speak, but our voices are silent, our contributions go seemingly unnoticed, and our greatest effort is just good enough. Although this lifestyle of mediocrity is not extravagant by society's standards, all of you should be proud to be here because you may be the first person in your family to graduate high school, be going on to college, or the first aspiring to break the cycle.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote, "You are a very special person - become what you are." These words encourage us, the graduating class of 2012, to recognize the goodness and potential in each and every one of us and to go out and excel in the world. We are a diverse group of different aspirations and backgrounds, bound for different corners of the earth to carve out our won individual niches. Before we leave behind Lee Falls High School and each other, we must ask ourselves how we have become who we are.
Class of 2012, as we sit here this evening, I would like you to take a look at the classmates sitting around you. Many students have given countless hours of time, energy, and passion to worthy cuases that they have been a part of throughout high school. However, those aren't the only students deserving of recognition this evening. We have students here tonight, who have taken a stand for what they believe in, not even hesitating to compromise their reputations.
All of my friends and family came to share my happiness, and they were present throughout the whole graduation ceremony. Despite the fact that most of such official events seemed to be quite boring for me before, this one passed like a snap of the finger. Even those speeches that I expected to be the most boring seemed to be quite encouraging and entertaining.
...ents in their academic accomplishments. Recognizing successes of students and teachers and celebrating the positives brings back school pride and willingness to make a difference (Shore, 1996).
Riley tackled the jock, revealing the identity of the other kid; it was Keith. Riley mounted the jock and started wailing on his face, Riley was tall, 6,4 to be exact, which restricted the jock from pushing him off. The jock was screaming and crying, his face was a bloody mess. Riley had an evil frown on his face while unleashing the flurry punches on the guy. Not long after this, teachers started pouring into the crowd and pulling Riley off the jock, I looked around for Keith but couldn't find him no where. The kids left and sat at their tables. Riley and the jock were dragged out of the lunchroom by the teachers, since all of my friends were no where in sight, I decided to skip school. I went to the spot me and the guys always hang out at, It's an abandoned bridge in the woods, we always smoke and drink there, and talk about how much we hate ourselves and how much we hate others. When I got there I encountered Keith, he was wiping blood off his face and having a smoke, cursing under his breath. I walk up to him and make conversation. "Hey man, are you okay? It looked pretty bad out there". "Nah man, I'm fine. The fucker got in my face and started talking major trash, I didn't even say a fucking
I am the student who I am today thanks to my school district so even today as a St. Edward’s first year student I continue to show my Tiger Pride and demonstrate all the qualities my district helped me discover. So far as a Hilltopper I have achieved my first academic accomplishment which was to be in the Dean’s list and I’m sure this community will help me continue my academic
It is probably a mistake that I am standing here giving a speech for graduation. In fact it is probably a mistake that I am even graduating from this school at all -- believe me, just as most people in this class I have tested the limits of attendance, of sleeplessness, and of procrastination. At the beginning of my high schooling, I was even testing dropping out ... and if that wasn't a mistake, I don't know what was. After four years of Starr altering our minds, it seemed most fitting for me to spend my four minutes talking about mistakes. Thank goodness for them, by the way -- it is only when we truly screw up big time that we are ever stopped in our tracks -- stopped, briefly, to learn lessons of worth.
Good evening parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and friends. I would like to thank you all for coming to this very special day. I know how proud you must be. As we have grown over the years, there are many stages we all have gone through. From learning our shapes and colors, to getting our first kiss in middle school, or how about explaining to our parents why we skipped school because the principal called home. As we remember these days, things that we've done will be with us forever. But this is only the start of our journey. The day has come where we say goodbye to the big yellow buses, assemblies, assigned seating, and attendance policies. Are you really gonna miss it? For some of us maybe not right away. But eventually we will so for us to be here it is not necessarily an achievement, but a privilege. All of us have been in school over half our lives. To graduate is one more step we've taken in our lives.
For the past 13 years of our education we have been on a journey - a journey full of experiences, challenges and accomplishments. We have made it through elementary, middle and high school. It hasn't always been what we expected and certainly not easy, but as we progressed down the road, we stretched ourselves to reach across barriers and found ourselves in new and expanding roles. We were given the opportunity to explore our interests and discover what really excites us. We have become more independent and complete individuals. Our growth and self-discovery has placed us here tonight.
Let me begin by saying that I am very honored to be addressing the County High School Class of 2012 as students of this institution for the last time. We've spent these last four years creating some serious memories: four years of chieftain power, leaking roofs, questionable Homecoming skits, and musical principals. Four years of good teachers, bad teachers, new teachers, old teachers. Four years of youth, music, growing up and breaking free. Four rubber chickens, four yearbooks, four ASB presidents and four chubby bunnies.