This speech is bigger than me... bigger than this graduating class... and the world surrounding us. It is an epiphany. This speech is for the little guy, the middle man and the guy who is always behind the scenes... 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. And even though this day may be a small step to others, this may be the most important step of YOUR life. Appreciate the fact that you are setting the path for others who may be just like you following in your footsteps or climbing the same exact ladder you have climbed. Because of these inspirational acts, we are in fact the movers and shakers of America. While some by-standers are looking down at the field upon us, seeing teenagers who appear to be out of control, irresponsible and impossible, at the same time, a child is looking up to us seeking inspiration and validation... because to them, we are their only hope as we let down our guards when we become one society welcomed into another. Adulthood ladies and gentlemen!!! Today is a turning point for each and every one of us. While we sit on this field, we are in essence standing up to our fears of feeling inferior, and letting our true colors shine. Today is a day to be proud of yourself and each other. Today is your day to show everyone your true self. In a way, every person is the average Joe, because each step that we take, each move that we make, and each word that we utter, will somehow affect the life of another... and that is not average.
David McCullough Jr., delivered the commencement at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts on June 1st 2012 to staff, the 2012 graduates, and their family and friends. The speech was straightforward and supplied valuable information for their future. . McCullough’s speech at times felt harsh, offensive, and insulting. His words and examples were given to achieve insight, knowledge, and awareness for each student’s future. The commencement expressed a great deal of achievement, but conveyed that there was more work to be done. His speech was effective and appreciated through humor parallelism, repetition, and anaphora. His point of view has obtained respect and determination by all those that have been challenged and have heard his words.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I start my speech by welcoming the guests. Today, we are surrounded by most of the friends and family that have been important to us during our lives. Some have traveled thousands of miles, just to be here today. We welcome you all and thank you sincerely for sharing this special day with us.
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:
Right now, most of you reading this are twenty somethings with extremely bright futures ahead of you. Many of you were the stars of your high school, if not area, if not state, if not country. Then you got here and things changed. All of a sudden, everything was challenging. From the first moment you got here you were in competition with all the other freshmen for spots in a fraternity, sorority, independent living group, or dorm. You compared SAT scores, compared achievements, and found that they, like you, were amazingly accomplished. Many were National Merit Scholars, AP Scholars, Governor’s School participants, Math Olympiad winners, Science Fair winners, and Scholarship recipients.
“Work for a cause. Not for applause. Live life to express. Not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence notice. Just make your absence felt”. –Anonymous
It shares a daily routine that all athletes go through, and it also shares inspirational things that will keep them on their feet to strive for their dreams and goals. All athletes’ goals are to win every game, but in order for them to accomplish that; they would have to keep grinding and keep pushing them to the end. Aside from sports it also applies to non-athletes and everyone. Apply it to our everyday life on going to school, work and others. School is sometimes frustrating that it will make you want to give up and find a job already but being able to find something or someone that motivates and inspires you on going school the first place, it will keep you going. It helps you focus more on why you are there and what your goals after completing it. Being in school is a mind torture but believing and pushing as stated in the speech helps you straighten your path to your goals. It also works the same way for work because work is like school but if you push yourself you will eventually get to a higher and promoting position. This speech is a good way to think about your life too because it is motivating everyone especially the athletes. This speech is to also motivate those who are struggling too with accomplishing their goals because the struggle is always real but with this speech and video maybe it will boost up their confidence and helps
When candidates are competing for an award, a job, or an honor, they often use the qualities of their character as evidence as to why they deserve it. I certainly understand and believe in the necessity of qualifications; however, I have also always believed that having a plan of what one will do with a certain honor is an integral part of deserving it. That is why this essay is not about my previous accomplishments. This essay is a declaration of my ideas to serve as a representative of Seton Hill University by making the community, state, and country a better place for all.
Class of 2012, I challenge you to recognize the heroes in your life, and continue to be heroes yourselves. Author Charles Swindoll said, "We need heroes. I mean genuine heroes, authentic men and women who are admired for their achievements, noble qualities, and courage. Such people aren't afraid to be different. They risk. They stand a cut above." Swindoll's message speaks so highly of those who are heroes and those who have the potential to be heroes. So, here is my challenge to you. Rise above your fears, take risks, and don't let your abilities collect dust. Instead, live life passionately, dream big, and seek every day in ways small and large to write your signature on the planet. But be careful ... you may just empower someone else to do the same.
...lings that overcame me: it was the first time I felt as though I was important, the first time I felt as though I was a scholar, and most importantly, the first time I felt as though I belonged. I want to be an active voice on campus and in the classrooms; I want to be a role model to the diverse student body; I want to branch out with the opportunity given by GS; and most of all, I want to grow into the leader I dream to become.
“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Are we there yet? Have we reached our destination? We've been traveling for 13 long years. We've only had a few brief rests along the way. We're tired and we're cranky and we just want to know, are we there yet?
I consider Steve Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005 to be one of the most effective speeches. He uses mechanics of speech to craft a well-rounded speech that is crowned by his use of rhetorical devices. Jobs gives relevant and fundamental knowledge of his life and experiences with his rhetorical approach. In his speech to the Stanford’s graduation class, he tells different stories of love, loss, discovery and difficulty he faced in his life to encourage new graduates as they continue to mature in life. He encourages students to pursue their dreams and not be discouraged by failures they might experience in life.
T.S. Eliot once wrote, "What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from." Every landmark in our lives will end but there is always a beginning to an end. As each new path ends a new one begins. Graduation marks the end of a path but as it ends a new path begins.
Ok, its 12:15 and I just walked into my house from seeing a movie with three of my best friends and I have to write this speech. A speech that’s suppose to inspire all of you, and tell you how the future has so much to hold for the class of 2015, how the possibilities are endless. Right now I’m probably standing in the front of the class and supposed to be addressing all of you as “fellow graduates, or to the class of 15’”. But that’s not what I’m going to do. I put this off as I do with the majority of my work thinking I would just write something everyone expects to hear, but instead I wrote this.
We valiantly struggle to do our best, and pass within the necessary limits. Some breezed by on the wings of their genius while some studied day and night to keep up with our peers. Whichever of these you were, you worked hard enough to make it here. We are watched on by these people who have seen us this far, and will be there for us farther.