My Speech Of A Graduation Speech

Some people have asked to read the commencement address I delivered this morning to the 2013 graduates of Butler University. So here it is.

As result of creating and implementing this artifact, I realized that the most effective lesson plans are those which initiate with the final assessment in mind. So, I applied a pre-test at the very beginning of my lessons with every different group I would be teaching to measure a starting point or the amount of pre-existing knowledge on the topics to be taught. Based on this, I planned the instruction to deliver and how to differentiate it.

Graduation is one of those awkward times in our lives when we are torn between letting go of our safe haven where we have many a cherished memory and anticipating a new path where the destination is but a speck of hope. Should we look back on what were the greatest twelve years of our lives- times filled with joy from the day we picked out our first schoolbags until the day we emptied our lockers for the last time? Or should we focus on the next stage in this journey called LIFE? We have been impatiently waiting for this day, and now, all we want to do is hit pause, rewind, and play. We want to slow it down and enjoy the last fleeting moments, but we can’t stop the clock from ticking- it’s time to let go and fly!

Throughout the semester, I was asked to summarize, respond to, analyze, and build upon the works of others.The transition from high school English to college English was an obstacle to overcome. Throughout the semester, I was given a multitude of feedback on different pieces to improve my writing. My writing drastically improved from high school to college and will continue to change in the expanse of the semester and the remainder of my college career. Through the feedback of Professor Valley and my Writing Fellow, Emily, I have improved in my writing through including more specific details, stronger vocabulary, improved organization, and being able to better identify problems in my own writing.

I agonized over writing this speech for a long time, because I felt like nothing I could say would make a difference, first because I don't know if what I could say would be good advice, and second because I don't know if advice about things like being true to yourself and setting goals and all that is actually helpful. How can I give advice that I can't even follow in my own life? And even if you are mesmerized for my two minutes, you would walk out of here and your life wouldn't be any different. Or maybe you'd be inspired for a day, and then forget. But still, the speech had to be written.

In the commencement speech entitled “This is Water,” the speaker came to highlight to the graduates at the commencement ceremony, what the “real world “was like because he thought they are not alert enough to know. He made reference to this through the anecdote at the beginning where the two young fish didn’t know what water was and of course water is life to fishes. Therefore, the speaker found it necessary to tell what life was really about through a commencement speech because of his opinion that they may have limited knowledge concerning it. In paragraph 6 of his speech, he states “The plain fact is that you graduating seniors do not yet have any clue what ‘day in, day out’ really means. There happen to be whole large part of adult

The third E is for Essential. Imagine a world where everyone built himself into someone who was essential to his family, neighborhood, or a group of otherwise lonely people. Martin Luther King was a hero because he was essential to a suffering nation. He had another piece of advice that, when heeded, will make us all essential members of any group. He said "Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to have your subject and your verb agree. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love." If you do nothing else, serve others with love and grace, and you will be an essential part of our world.

Christopher Columbus, reflecting on his voyage which led him to the discovery of America, said, "Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World." I am sure that after four years of high school, we have all formed our own opinion of Christopher Columbus - especially if you had Mrs. Powers - but whether you view him as a genocidal rogue or the first American Hero, I find his quote fitting for where we stand today.

Class of 2012, tonight is the last time we will share together for many years. After tonight, we will begin a new chapter in our lives. This chapter will lead us away from each other, but the memories we've shared will continue to stay. The years behind us have been full of challenges and rewards; these experiences will be there to guide us as we branch out into the world.

We all have had many stones read to us, and even read many ourselves. In elementary school they were stories of Lad, Jane and Spot. Each of us beamed with pride as we stumbled over that first line of "See Lad go," or "Run Jane run." Then, in junior high we learned about plot and theme, and the characters of the stories actually developed personalities. Now, as graduating seniors, many of us have learned that stories can teach us valuable lessons about life. Even the simple stories from elementary school contain lessons that we can relate to our own experiences. One story in particular that just happens to be from my favorite producer, Disney, and emphasizes the importance of friendship is "The Fox and The Hound." As this story

Good evening, everyone. Now is the time for me to come in front of these 400 students in identical caps and gowns and tell them to go out and be individuals. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Seriously, though, consider what we've gone through. 13 years of schooling, 18 years of growing up! And reflecting back on these years, what do we have to show for it? We have our memories. Some of you may know the old saying, "Knowledge is not what the pupil remembers but what he cannot forget." What will remain in our minds after tonight? What memories will become those valuable gems of unforgettable knowledge?

I would like to commence this speech by saying that we have all been truly blessed in being given the opportunity to celebrate our graduation with each other in such a manner. Being able to spend our final moments as a class in such an important place is wonderful, and before I delve further into this speech, I want to thank the man who allowed us to graduate from the church, Father Jenik. He’s a great preacher, a charitable bishop, and most importantly, he is a great man.

My experience in education from kindergarten to being a senior in high school was very challenging but rewarding. Throughout my schooling, I was blessed to have some exceptional teachers and coaches that had taught me life lessons and challenged me to be a better person outside the classroom and a better student in the classroom. From kindergarten to being a senior in high school, I attended three different types of schools in the South Carolina School system. I attended a small private Christian school named Horizons Christian Academy. Then I transferred to public schools. For fifth grade, I attended Chester Park School of the Arts. For sixth and seventh grades, I attended Chester Middle School. After my seventh grade year, I attended York Preparatory Academy, a public charter school, until my sophomore year of high school. After my sophomore year in high school, I attend Chester Senior High School. Then ventured back to York Preparatory Academy for my junior and senior years, being a part of the first graduating class.

I can remember a presentation I gave to my school when I was in grade 4. Students were nominated by their teachers from grade 4 to grade 6 and the students were asked to give a speech on a particular question. I believe it was my first big presentation, so I made sure I practiced many times at home in front of my parents and on my own in front of a mirror as well. When it came time for me to present, I forgot all the words to my presentation. I remember feeling embarrassed, but also disappointed in myself. This traumatizing experience was a turning point for me, as I feared presentations and I never wanted to present again. I avoided all opportunities that involved presentations. This fear stayed with me all through high school and university.

English class seemed to be the most dreadful to take within school. Writing essays for most of my grade in a class is not what I was looking forward too. When I entered college I knew that it would be one of many challenging classes I would have to take. Starting from the lowest English class to moving on up, the writing assignments became longer and more thought out. The time came when I got into this class that I knew more work was going to have to be put into essays and thus brought out what I had not seen before in my work progress.