High School Graduation Speeches

High school graduation speeches are typically given by several presenters during the graduation ceremony.

Consider using graduation quotes in your speech.

The selection of speakers at a high school graduation will vary depending upon the school district's preferences. Many schools choose a valedictorian and salutatorian from the graduating senior class. Other schools add the top five percent to the list of those scheduled to speak. Other speakers may include the class president, school principal, and of course the guest speaker, who is typically someone with ties to the community who has gone on to achieve success in his or her career.

Those who aren't involved in speaking may give little thought to the preparation and presentation of each speech, but those who are scheduled to speak often spend hours worrying and preparing for the big night.

At many schools, a committee comprised of teachers and other faculty members are chosen to guide students through the speech writing process. Why should these faculty members be involved? There are a variety of reasons, including the following:

• Check for grammar and composition errors.
• Screen for inappropriate content.
• Create a list of guidelines including length of speeches.
• Assist with graduation practice, including the practicing of speeches.
• Approve the final draft of each speech.
• Decide the order in which the speeches will be given.

If you are searching for high school graduation speeches, you'll find many suggestions online. While it is fine to adapt any of these speeches or quotes to suit your purpose, you can also write your own speech. Before you do so, however, consider the following tips:

• Audience-Consider who your audience will be, such as parents, fellow students, faculty members, and members of the community. Keep in mind that potential employers may be in the midst of the audience as well, so now is your time to make a good impression.
• Focus-While you will be speaking to a vast selection of people, the focus of your speech should be your fellow graduates.
• Theme-If several people are speaking, it is always a good idea to discuss the theme of each individual speaker's speech. If the speeches somehow tie together, decide whose speech should be first, second, and so on. Try to have a variety of speeches, so that everyone doesn't give a speech with the same theme.

While you want your speech to capture the attention of everyone who is attending the ceremony, you also need to ensure that your speech is primarily geared toward your fellow classmates. If you are one of the speakers, then you are probably a class leader…someone who is at the top of the class. It's easy to design your speech to focus on others who have also found success in their high school years as well, but please consider the broad range of students that may comprise your graduating class.

Remember the students that struggle academically and those who don't participate in extracurricular activities. Don't forget about those students who won't go on to college, but instead may head directly into the work force, join the military, or enter into vocational training. Your speech should speak to everyone in your class, regardless of race, gender, intelligence level, or socio-economic status. These are your fellow classmates, and even if some of them aren't your best friends, they are this year's graduates as well. A well-written speech will include everyone to some extent.

What are some ideas for high school graduation speeches?

• Memories-Discuss memories that you've shared as a class; some may be happy, and some may be sad. Try to choose memories from several areas, such as sports, band, career tech, etc.
• Future Dreams-Again, it is important that you focus not only on those who plan on going to college, but also on those who may have different plans for the future. Emphasize that it is not so much what you do, but how well you do it.
• Friendships-Talk about how you may lose touch, but not lose the lessons and blessings from the friendships that have been developed over the years.
• Thanksgiving-Don' forget to thank those who have helped you as a class along the way, including parents, teachers, community members, etc.

Finally, your speech should be genuine and truthful. Don't be afraid to ask for help, then take a deep breath, and speak from your heart.

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