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The struggle for education
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What an honor to be standing here tonight as a representative of the Class of 2012! It's truly remarkable. We have all worked very hard to complete this part of our journey. I want to thank my kids Laddie, and Mate. And especially Ron, my loving companion. Without the support of our families, friends, fellow-classmates, instructors and staff, we wouldn't have made it this far! Let's show 'em our appreciation.
These three certificates I'm receiving tonight represent a lot more to me than achievement of success. They are the keys that unlocked the door to a whole new world of possibility that I never new existed.
I'd like to begin with an Arabian proverb: Strange how much you've got to know, before you know how little you know.
Two years ago, I was a single mother of four, with a learning disability and 15 years of sobriety. I began experiencing anxiety attacks so I ceased operation of a non-profit organization I founded and ran for 10 years called the Family Support Network. Even though I had received a number of prestigious awards and been recognized nationally for my work, I resigned myself to being a clerical assistant for the rest of my life. Though I had dreamed of going to college, it was simply out of the question.
It was at this juncture in my life that something happened that I initially perceived as a tragic event, but it turned out to be a turning point in my life. The mask I wore for so many years that covered my fears and insecurities about myself was removed, and I finally had an explanation for my quirky behaviors.
One day I collapsed on the job and was hospitalized - not in a regular hospital but in a psychiatric hospital. The doctors diagnosed my symptoms as post traumatic stress disorder. In addition, I was also diagnosed with a mood and anxiety disorder. My self-esteem and outlook on life was at an all time low.
It was at this point I hit bottom - and to my surprise this became the beginning of my journey to fulfill my destiny. My doctor in her infinite wisdom suggested I supplement my therapy by taking classes in mental health and chemical dependency here at the college.
I'm sure by now you are wondering why I am sharing such intimate details about myself. My intent is to inspire and challenge you at the same time.
I am the product of divorced parents, poverty stricken environments, and a blended family, but I refuse to let that dictate the outcome of my life. At the age of ten, I had to assume the role of a fatherly figure to my three siblings, so I missed out on the typical childhood most would have had. I grew up in neighborhoods where gangs and criminal acts of violence were a pervasive occurrence, but I resiliently did not allow the peer pressures of others to force me to conform to their way of life. By the age of 15, I received my worker 's permit, and that allowed me the ability to help my mother financially in the absence of my father’s income. I worked the maximum amount of hours I could while balancing my academics and extracurricular school activities. I was a scholar athlete and triathlete in high school, and although I continuously faced much adversity, I still managed to be accepted to the University of California State, Bakersfield after I graduated from high school in 2005. Sadly, after
I am honored to stand and speak to you this evening. I am very proud to be a part of the first graduating class for the Gaylord Heritage school. We thank the staff at the Heritage school, the Gaylord Tribes, our families and our community.
Everything was always bleak, I forced people away, doing group projects solo, ignoring the attempts of conversation. I knew that it was destructive, but at the same time didn’t care. Eventually, after months of anxiety induced nausea and vomiting I went to a general family doctor. This was both a good step forward and a bad choice, good in that I was finally seeking help, but bad in that I didn’t seek a proper specialist. After 15 minutes I walked out with a script feeling no better that
Over the next two years, I will work towards completing 3,000 hours of post licensure internship while continuing my education in a doctoral program. After completing the doctoral program, I would like to hold dual licensure as a professional counselor and psychologist. In the next 10 years, I would like to work at the collegiate level as an educator in psychology and/or counseling. My ultimate career goal is to operate a program for at risk men and women ages 18 to 25. The program I hope to create will focus on the transition to independence process (TIP) model. My focus will be to provide psychological services for young people who are aging out of foster care, have a juvenile record, or are teen parents. The process of entering adulthood is often difficult, especially for those who struggled through their adolescent years like my
One day while folding clothes, I saw a commercial sponsored by the President Barack Obama Ad Campaign that encouraged stay- at- home mothers and single mothers to go back to school to get their college degrees. President Obama is specifically assisting moms to go back to college by increasing federal stimulus monies as well as financial aid. Right then and there, I decided to go back to school to further my education and increase my chances of starting a career in the field I would be trained in. I wanted to be able to earn more than minimum wage in this already stressed job market. My decision to go back to school was not an easy decision. For the last seven years, I have been a stay- at- home mother and during that time I have often thought about going back to school and earning a degree. But, whenever the thought of going back to school crossed my mind I would feel as though I was neglecting my duties as a wife and mother. I also suffered from a paralyzing fear of failure that has always kept me from pursuing the possibilities of obtaining a higher education. After much prayer and discussion with my family, I finally made the decision to move forward with my plans to obtain a college education.
College has a extensive impact on a person that some people simply don’t realize. When I first started college, I was a little close-minded and unsure about what it was I wanted to do with the rest of my life. When I was halfway through my freshman year, I decided to completely change my path in life. I left ECU, moved into an apartment, transferred to Pitt and declared my major intended sonography. Then suddenly I hated what I was doing, I had to take a step back and truly evaluate my life and what it was I was meant to do. I was completely lost. Then one day I received a text from a friend telling me to apply to a hospital located in Chesapeake, Virginia. I did, and I got the job. When I told my parents they were less than thrilled, they didn’t like the idea of me taking a year off from school to work, but I thought long and hard about what was best for me and decided it was something I was meant to do, it was the path I needed to follow. I worked for a year while living at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. I was completely independent, providing for myself 100 percent. While working this job, I realized that what I wanted to do and what I was called to do in life was become a nurse, which is something I would have never figured out had I not seriously weighed my options
A very interesting case is that of P.K. Philips. She had been diagnosed with PTSD because of the many traumatic events that flooded his life, including; a childhood filled with physical, mental, and sexual abuse, as well as an attack at knifepoint that left her thinking she would die. His mentality changed and she felt safe no where in this world. She was also plagued with terrible nightmares and her rejection for any outside help only delayed her healing. Fear soon engulfed her, “By age 17, I'd suffered my first panic attack. Soon I became unable to leave my apartment for weeks at a time, ending my modeling career abruptly. This just became a way of life.” It was only after she knew she had PTSD, did she take medications that helped her regain her life and now, she had rebuilt her career as an artist and can finally enjoy her life.
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.
I have returned to college after being out of school for several years because, I am motivated to obtain my associates degree. I want to finish what I started years ago. When I was in high school, I became discouraged with my studies due to an illness and ended up dropping out of school. A few years after that I had an opportunity to return to school and obtain an Associate’s degree. When I started the program I was doing well until my illness returned. I found myself having a hard time juggling my school work, my illness and a job. I eventually started failing classes and ended up giving up again. At this point I had once again, let life’s challenges win the battle. Looking back, I understand that I failed when I returned to school because I wasn’t mentally prepared nor was I mature enough to deal with issues as they happened. Looking back at it now I understand that I made a terrible error permitting fear to take
Today is our first day of being the leaders, doers, and problem solvers of the future. Those who persevere, who give it their all and approach each day with optimism will ultimately meet success and happiness. Of course, there will be many a failure on that windy road of life, but with dedication, we can do anything and make any dream come true. But, as we grow older and encounter success, we must not forget those who have had it rough, whose lives may have hit some potholes on the way, and we must take care of those who need a helping hand. As each of us leaves our mark on the world, be generous and be happy, and always remember the good times, good friends, and lessons learned at Marefat.
Throughout the past years, I have been struggling with what I want to do with my life. I’ve decided on several different career paths many times, but I finally found one that I am planning on studying. After I graduate, I wish to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I can study biology and psychology. After college, I would like to apply to University of Nebraska Medical Center where I can study neurology. As soon as my education is completed, I wish to apply for a job at a medical center where I can do what I want for a living - help people. Along the way, I want to start a family and live debt-free in a larger city, a life my parents weren’t offered. These ambitions that I possess today wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for my past. It has been a challenge getting to who I am today, and it will be a challenge to get where I want to be in the future.
I would like to begin this evening by welcoming all of my classmates, staff, parents and guardians, the school board and superintendent, friends, and relatives to the commencement of the class of 2012.
Today, as we graduate, with degree nearly in hand, I challenge each of you to make a difference in whatever you do. Remember that life didn't end when we re-entered school. Life continued throughout our program. Even when stretched to the limit, life only got more challenging. And now, graduating, life only changes pace. Our degree completion is not really an ending as much as a new beginning as we re-enter our lives of work and home. We thank all of our family, friends, instructors and co-workers who helped see us through this process. Thank you for this opportunity and good luck to you all.
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.
Class of 2016, congrats to everyone! We did it, and always remember you will always be a piece in the big picture of our puzzle!