Valedictorian Speech

[Truzzi]

Okay, so I'm kind of freaking out now. I have three days to write it, and I have no clue what to say. I don't want to regurgitate the same old cliches. I've written one speech that is funny. The thing is...with comedy, you can be either a smashing hit or an embarrassing failure. So now I'm torn. Between the two, I would like there to be a noticeable sense of comedy; one of my inherent traits is a biting, caustic sarcasm. I'm friendly and personable, and believe that I COULD pull it off, but at the same time I can't help but worry. It is, after all, quite the important event.

so my question to you is what do you think I should do? Did any of you give valedictory addresses? Do the rest of you remember anything memorable about the speech your valedictorian gave at graduation (both good and bad). I'm really starting to freak out now, so I appreciate your comments.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[NickNaylor]

All valedictorian addresses suck. Don't worry so much about it. Unfortunately high school students aren't imbued with enough wisdom to make an inspirational or awesome speech.

So relax. No one is expecting much, and no one is going to remember what you say.

 

[QofQuimica]

so my question to you is what do you think I should do? Did any of you give valedictory addresses? Do the rest of you remember anything memorable about the speech your valedictorian gave at graduation (both good and bad). I'm really starting to freak out now, so I appreciate your comments.

Congrats on your accomplishment--I was the valedictorian of my HS class too (almost 20 years ago now, gulp!). I think the most important thing is to make your speech *short*. Sitting through a long graduation ceremony with tons of speeches is boring enough even when it's your own, let alone when it's someone else's! The other thing I would make sure to do is to thank the people who have helped you. I thanked a couple of teachers who inspired me in my speech. Also, one of my classmates died in a car accident a few months before graduation, and I asked everyone to remember him.

As for what topic to choose, and whether to be funny or not, it's up to you. But I would err on the side of being professional rather than being a comedian. Choose something that is important to you, and again, be brief about it. I talked about having integrity. It was a topic that mattered to me because I managed to become valedictorian without cheating like some of the people competing against me did.

Hope this helps, and best of luck. 🙂

 

[deleted393595]

Okay, so I'm kind of freaking out now. I have three days to write it, and I have no clue what to say. I don't want to regurgitate the same old cliches. I've written one speech that is funny. The thing is...with comedy, you can be either a smashing hit or an embarrassing failure. So now I'm torn. Between the two, I would like there to be a noticeable sense of comedy; one of my inherent traits is a biting, caustic sarcasm. I'm friendly and personable, and believe that I COULD pull it off, but at the same time I can't help but worry. It is, after all, quite the important event.

so my question to you is what do you think I should do? Did any of you give valedictory addresses? Do the rest of you remember anything memorable about the speech your valedictorian gave at graduation (both good and bad). I'm really starting to freak out now, so I appreciate your comments.

Extemp it. Do a comedy routine. Make fun of everyone in the room...

The possibilities are endless!

 

[bucks2010]

Yes, make it short. The only thing I remember being spoken at my grad ceremony was the headmaster telling us he was going to keep it short since no one remembers the speeches. He was right. I'm 4 years removed from graduation and don't have the slightest clue what the Val/sal speeches were.

My advice comes in a few parts:
1. Keep it short
2. Don't try to be profound
3. Don't be goofy but don't be all serious either.

Just keep it short, humorously reflective, and simple.

 

[Laplace]

Here's something for inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDo9sIx5U5s&feature=player_embedded I doubt you can pull off something like that for a high school speech though

 

[da8s0859q]

Okay, so I'm kind of freaking out now. I have three days to write it, and I have no clue what to say. I don't want to regurgitate the same old cliches. I've written one speech that is funny. The thing is...with comedy, you can be either a smashing hit or an embarrassing failure. So now I'm torn. Between the two, I would like there to be a noticeable sense of comedy; one of my inherent traits is a biting, caustic sarcasm. I'm friendly and personable, and believe that I COULD pull it off, but at the same time I can't help but worry. It is, after all, quite the important event.

so my question to you is what do you think I should do? Did any of you give valedictory addresses? Do the rest of you remember anything memorable about the speech your valedictorian gave at graduation (both good and bad). I'm really starting to freak out now, so I appreciate your comments.

Make it short, keep it simple, and don't be pompous. NickNaylor is right in that high school seniors simply don't have groundbreaking wisdom to share, but that doesn't mean you can't make some powerful points.

If I could go back in time and redo mine, I'd have shortened it quite a bit and left out some things that I could have said better. I took a more casual approach while still trying to say things relevant to the future and got some very nice comments afterward.

Be very, very careful with "caustic sarcasm," by the way. How you see your personality, especially with that sort of thing, may not be how your audience of friends and family will see it.

Congratulations. Try to be a little funny if you want, talk about what's important to you like Quimica said -- or whatever you feel appropriate -- and just go with it. I'm a week away from being an M3, and I still remember giving mine. 👍

 

[Lil Mick]

Keep it short, and don't worry to much. Just be yourself. I happened to be the class clown as well, so mine had a lot of jokes intermingled with seriousness and reflection.

 

[Truzzi]

Thank you everyone. I've decided to try to blend jokes in with a few pieces of advice - nothing to deep though. I'm pretty happy with what I typed, but I may make a few other speeches and compare them. Thankfully, my GPA tied down to four decimal places with two other brilliant students. So instead of giving a six minute speech all I have to do is give a pithy two minute talk. Easy.

I'm relaxed now. I agree with most of what you have to say. I appreciate the advice.