Graduation Speech - Original Writing Essay

Nine years ago, I never could have imagined I’d be writing this essay. I was a senior in high school, and, like the rest of my classmates, I was apprehensive about the future. Unlike my classmates, I felt like I had missed the proverbial “you need to get your life together” message. I watched my classmates apply to colleges, their majors already decided and their future careers mapped out. While I was an above average student, I felt I lacked the decisiveness my classmates seemed to have. I did not feel passionate about a career or even a field of study. I felt defective. This was compounded by the financial strain I knew attending college would have on my family. It seemed wasteful to try to “find my passion” at school while squandering

She was going to have a complete hysterectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, and she would be back to normal. She told me not to worry, everything would be okay; all this meant was that I would not have a new little brother or sister. Her surgery was scheduled for the following week, and with that decision, I began my love/hate relationship with the medical community. Five of her last ten years were spent in some type of healthcare facility, and my personal experience with her and her nurses has helped shape my nursing philosophy. My philosophy is based on holistic, compassionate, and competent care. I use a holistic approach when treating my patients and recognize that the patient's family and community are key components in healthcare promotion. As a nurse, I treat all my patients with compassion regardless of the situation. I am competent and provide complete care based on my patient's

Well Class of 2012, we did it! We are graduating. All the hard work we have done to graduate has paid off. All the final exams, the many steps we've taken up and down Gadd High's halls, to the gym for practice, up to the cafeteria to connect with friends, down to the library, up to the playing fields -- they're all over. After today, our lives will be changed forever. Before that happens, let's take a look at the last four years of memories and even go back to those memories from our elementary and middle school years and collect them into a book; our own book, our book of life. If, some day, people could read our individual book, what would they learn from them?

It was my 5th grade ceremony at Anthony Burns Elementary School, and I was standing in line to get my certificate. The school’s principal called my name to accept my certificate for “AB Honor Roll” and “Excellence in Math.” I was looking into the massive crowd, and my mother, along with my Uncle Chris and Aunt Saundra, were cheering me on with jubilant faces. I remember how intense the moment was, and the overwhelming feeling’s of love i received; I was proud. As I made my way across the stage, the principal called a little boy’s name to receive his certificate. In the audience, his mom and dad stood up and gave him a huge applause; eyes filled with tears of joy. That was the 1st time, in my 10 years of living, I ever wondered about my dad.

The pencil lead was wearing out fast, and I barely knew what to write down on my paper. The proctor announced, “5 minutes left! Make Sure you all check your work.” My hands began to sweat and my mind was completely silent. I could only hear the loud tick of the clock as the hands moved along every second and every minute. I scribbled down on my paper what ever came to my mind. It was a horror filled experience, and even after I finished the test, my lips were dry solid as if my saliva was completely cold and arid. I could see the dark days ahead of time as I rumored to myself, “This is one test, that I’m sure I failed.”

Steve and I entered the first grade in the same year but my life zigged and his zagged when the overloaded teacher neglected to teach me to read. I repeated the second grade after my father threatened to sue the school district if they sent me to the third grade without first teaching me to read. The grade shift didn 't make a spit of difference because, although we almost lived next door to each other, we never spent a single day in the same school. I went to public schools that burst at the seams with the baby boom and became a certified loner as I tried to fit into the social fabric of nine schools in twelve years. Steve 's school experience was very different. He went to an Adventist school for twelve years with the same kids, all of

This was the first week of school and I completed this thesis quite hurriedly. I was NOT prepared for the amount of summer reading (AP History, English, and Sacraments), so I ended up spending most of the first week in a zombified state of sleepwalking from class to class. I was taken aback when I accidentally submitted two versions of the assignment to Poll EV and both were voted to the top of our class. I hadn’t much time for proofreading and I barely remembered what happened in the novel at that point due to the fact that I was going on about half an hour of sleep.

Good afternoon young people. I guess I could say that I am honored to have the privilege to speak to you today. Although 35 years have passed since I was freed from this place, and the school has had forty graduating classes since it started imprisoning students in 2010, I suppose I must be the only one left that must call this place my “alma mauter” and I suppose it was only fitting for them to ask me to do this and take advantage of me some more. Perhaps all of the other alumni are in jail, died in the zombie apocalypse a while back, or have been wiped off the face of the earth somehow, I don’t know, I couldn’t possibly care any less about those that I went to high school with and that are there after me.

“I want her to be a TJ.” Those were the words my dance teacher, Mrs. Cortez, told my parents during open house. I remember feeling really awkward, fidgeting as my parents and sister all shifted their gaze to me after she said that. I guess they must have had a weird look on their faces since Mrs. Cortez made a comment about it. She went on to tell them that I was a top student in her class which made me feel really happy. When I was younger, I wasn’t very good at dancing, but I still loved to dance and did so every chance I got. Hearing that I was a top student gave me a sense of accomplishment, but I wasn’t sure if I was worthy enough of being on the team at my current skill level. These thoughts were running through my head as my parents and Mrs. Cortez were talking.

“Take a deep breath, walk out in front of that gymnasium full of kids, and show them who you really are.” I assured myself. Believe it or not, you can make a difference. Even the most invisible people have a voice as loud as a lion’s roar. All you have to do is take that first step and believe in yourself.

Upon arrival on campus, I had no time to spare as I pulled into the student parking lot. I got out of my car and went straight to class. I took a seat, making sure I kept my dress down enough. I watched as Mason came into class and he sat next to me.

I woke up that morning giddy bursting with excitement. I thought college was this scary monster where no teachers cared to learn your name and you were by yourself, but our first assignment was going on a nature walk, it was like elementary again. As I went to leave I was scared that our class wouldn’t be able to go because it was sprinkling outside and looked like it was going to get worse, despite that I kept my hopes high.

Back in the 8th grade, I remember coming home from school hearing the loud yelling behind the closed doors of the master bedroom. At that time shouting and yelling was quite common in the household, especially during the late night. Going to sleep, knowing your parents might get divorced soon, didn’t make my life easier. Without all the commotions, the house felt deserted. It was very quiet, my brother and sister were away studying abroad in London and Sydney respectively getting their undergraduate degree. Having two people, whom I always look up to for guidance and inspiration, across the world didn’t help my situation. I could tell that my parents missed them very much, the only time you would see both my parents smiling together is when they were on the phone with either one of my siblings. My best friend told me to find a ‘game changer’, a method of escaping all negative emotions by engaging in an activity that would bring one complete peace and solace. For him, it was the guitar and alternative rock music. Although playing video games with my headphones on in my empty bedroom did temporarily help me get rid of my anxiety, it was no game changer.

I walked hastily to class, trying to beat the bell. I was weary and had an awful migraine. I dreaded English as it was my least favorite subject, but this was the last class of the day. I darted around people in the hallway frantically. “I can’t be late again’” I reminded myself. I stepped over the threshold as the bell rang. I slumped into my seat, closed my eyes. I reminded myself, “This is the last class, I can make it.” I let out a sigh and opened my eyes.

“Hey boy, what are you doing right now,” my uncle suspiciously glares into my soul. Urgh, I really hated it when he called me that. He dashes in and hands a piece of paper to me. “Do this” he chuckled as he crossed his arms. I took a single glance. Fractions? Math? WHAT! What did I do to get this type of punishment… Totally not fair. “I am not doing this.” I roared. He looked at me and said firmly, “Too bad. Do it or I will take away your computer.” He walks out promptly. Anger took over my body. I hate math, but I guess I have to do it. One day to the next, more assignments were thrown at me. I hated it. Will he always make me do these assignments? Shouldn’t I get a break like the other kids during the summer. I am going to hate summers with him. With time, my academics became stronger. There were no longer rows of “N’s”, or needs improvement on reports my mother brought home from the parent-teacher conferences. Hau would congratulate me by taking me out to ice cream at the mall across from our family’s apartment.