My Salutatorian Graduation Speech
How can I begin to connect my experiences at Grover Cleveland High School to that of everyone else, sitting here before me, ready to graduate? While I wrote this speech I struggled trying to answer that question. Every approach I took and every angle I tried, failed in capturing what I thought was an accurate depiction of our past four years. After days of trying, I had an epiphany. I realized that our only true connection is Grover Cleveland. Yes, there are little strings that bind a select few together; strings such as music, sports, or television shows like House. But each and every person here has their own way of seeing Cleveland and as well, has had their own experiences there.
I could never begin to conceive what some of you experienced. I have no clue what it would have been like to be on a sports team or to even have had a 1 to 4 schedule, which would have let me out of school before McDonalds stopped serving breakfast. There are many aspects of Cleveland that I never got to know. But that does not mean I was deprived. I had my own unique and interesting experiences; experiences which some of you could never know. Honestly, raise your hand if you can say you received a call home for clucking like a chicken and flapping your arms like a bird repeatedly throughout class? How about, raise your hand if you have had a teacher cut you out of a desk because you thought it would be funny to tie yourself to it, but then as the bell rings realize your knots are too tight so you cannot get out. (I seem to be the only one, you guys missed out)
But this is what I mean about Cleveland being our only connector. My experiences are different then yours. Yet, whatever good or bad we remember, will be the direct result of what we have made of the past four years for ourselves. Cleveland is a place that can be easily changed to fit the desires of the students it holds. What we decided to do inside its walls was what shaped our time there. The clubs we joined, the classes we took, the people we knew, are all the things we will remember as each day takes us a little further from our high school adolescence. Each of those details was what we were able to change to make Cleveland what we wanted it to be. Yet even though we might have manipulated Cleveland to fit our needs, it was a stable platform that has allowed us to jump into the future and our adulthood.
Before I came to Cleveland, all I ever heard about it was how bad it was. Even to this day, the belief that our school should be avoided and not attended because its too dangerous or that it wont get you places riles me up. To hear those things, as well as read them in local newspapers bothers me to no end. These past four years have been the most fun, most enriching, and especially the most enjoyable time of my life. Not to poke fingers at anyone in particular, but I for one would send my children to Cleveland in a heartbeat, if I get the chance to. Because as a 4th generation maspethian and third in my family to go to Cleveland, I would hate to deprive anyone the opportunity of making such a wonderful place feel like a second home, just as I did each and every day I walked through its doors.
But I do not want to forget my first home; the home that has provided me with such love and support no matter what. Seriously, without my siblings I would be a lesser person. I would not have had anyone to compete with academically (I won Jeff for the record), I wouldnt be as stylish (if it were up to me Amy I would be in my kimono now), and finally I would have been the baby if it wasnt for you Mary, (thanks for being born and letting me know what its like to be an older brother). Also, I want to say thanks to you Chris, for being there for me and making me laugh when I needed it throughout this hard work filled year, you are very nice. But everything I have, and have done in this world is because of my parents, Susan and Louis Yanez. Mommy. Daddy. Yes, you are still mommy and daddy to me at 18. There are no words that I can write, or say here, that can express the gratitude I have for you. The only token of appreciation I can give to you is becoming the best man that I can. I hope you are proud so far, and I promise that this isnt me peaking.
I strive always to do my best. As we all should. Because the things that we do are not only for ourselves. The choices we make and actions we do should always be for others as well. Look around you at the smiling faces sitting ready to cheer and clap for us. We should all be trying to become the best person not only for ourselves, but for them. If they are happy and proud, then we can feel accomplished.
So I want to hear some noise from those here for us, to let the Grover Cleveland Graduating Class of 2009 know that youre proud of us.
Thank you Grover Cleveland. Enjoy adulthood. Enjoy life.
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Awesome speech! My speech for my graduation -.-
hudsob12 4 months ago
@hudsob12 WHO ARE YOU lol?
kingsguard00 4 months ago