2 minute valedictorian speech

Written Samples

3 valedictorian speech samples that will impress.

As the pinnacle of academic achievement in high school or college, the valedictorian speech is a momentous opportunity for top graduates to share reflections, inspirations, and aspirations with their peers, families, and educators.

A great valedictorian speech is more than a recitation of gratitude and accomplishments; it’s a heartfelt, inspiring narrative that weaves together personal stories with universal themes of hope, resilience, and ambition.

3 Sample Valedictorian Speeches

In this article, we provide three sample valedictorian speeches crafted to captivate and inspire audiences. Each speech includes fictional details to enhance relatability and depth.

Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, faculty, family, and my fellow graduates, today marks a pivotal moment in our lives. As we gather in the spirit of celebration and reflection, it is with immense pride and a deep sense of gratitude that I stand before you as the valedictorian of the class. Our journey to this moment has been filled with challenges and triumphs, moments of uncertainty, and periods of exhilarating discovery.

Introduction

When we embarked on this academic voyage, we were individuals from diverse backgrounds, holding a mosaic of aspirations. Today, we stand united, a testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Our time at this esteemed institution has been more than just an academic endeavor; it has been a crucible, shaping us into the individuals we are today. We have been guided by an exceptional faculty, supported by devoted families, and inspired by each other’s ambitions.

The Journey

Reflecting on our journey, it’s evident that each step was a building block, a series of lessons learned, friendships forged, and dreams nurtured. We have delved into complex theories, grappled with challenging concepts, and sought to understand the intricate workings of the world around us. We have been challenged to think critically, act compassionately, and lead ethically. Our education has been an intricate blend of intellectual rigor and character development, preparing us not just for the professional realm but for the broader challenges of life.

Overcoming Challenges

Our path was not always smooth; we encountered obstacles that tested our resolve and determination. There were late nights and early mornings, times of self-doubt, and moments when the end goal seemed distant. Yet, with each challenge, we grew stronger, more resilient. We learned the value of hard work, the importance of persistence, and the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties. These experiences have left an indelible mark, shaping us into adaptable, determined individuals ready to face the future with confidence.

Moments of Triumph

Amidst these challenges were moments of sheer joy and accomplishment. The late-night study sessions that culminated in understanding a complex concept, the successful projects and presentations, the community service initiatives, and the cultural festivals—each event added color and vibrancy to our collective experience. We cheered each other’s successes and provided support through setbacks, creating a community of learners who thrive together.

As we stand on the precipice of the future, it is crucial to acknowledge those who have made this journey possible. To our esteemed faculty, your wisdom and dedication have not only educated us but also inspired us to strive for greatness. You have been our mentors, guiding us with patience and passion. To our families, your unwavering support and sacrifices have been the backbone of our success. Your belief in our dreams has been a source of constant encouragement. And to my fellow graduates, your camaraderie, and spirit have made this journey an unforgettable experience.

As we look forward, the future is an unwritten script waiting for us to make our mark. We are equipped with knowledge, skills, and a sense of purpose. The world we are entering is complex and ever-changing, but we are ready. We are the innovators, thinkers, and leaders of tomorrow. Our education has not just prepared us for a career; it has prepared us to make meaningful contributions to society. We are poised to tackle the challenges of the future, to create, to innovate, and to lead with integrity.

Call to Action

As we embark on this next chapter, let us take forward the lessons we have learned and the friendships we have formed. Let us be bold in our aspirations, ethical in our approach, and compassionate in our interactions. The world needs bright minds and kind hearts—let us be both. Let us not shy away from challenges but embrace them as opportunities for growth. Let us remain lifelong learners, forever curious and forever driven to improve ourselves and the world around us.

In closing, I am reminded of the profound journey we have shared. It has been an honor to learn, grow, and evolve alongside each of you. As we scatter across the globe, pursuing our unique paths, let us carry forward the legacy of our alma mater with pride. Let us continue to support each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and uplift each other during times of need. Today, as we close this chapter and begin anew, let us step forward with hope, determination, and the unyielding spirit of a graduate ready to make a difference. Congratulations, Class of [Year]! Our adventure is just beginning.

Esteemed faculty, proud parents, devoted friends, and, most importantly, my fellow graduates, it is an honor to speak before you on this momentous day. We gather here, cloaked in our gowns and caps, not just as a formality, but as a symbol of our dedication, our achievements, and the journey that has brought us to this pivotal moment in our lives. This day is not just a personal triumph but a collective victory for all who have supported us through this journey.

As we stand at the precipice of the future, it is natural to reflect on the past. Our journey through [School Name] has been transformative, an epic saga filled with challenges, achievements, and a constant quest for knowledge. We entered as young hopefuls, eager and perhaps a bit anxious about the path ahead. Today, we emerge as graduates, ready to embark on new adventures, armed with the education and experiences that we have gained.

The Path We’ve Walked

Our time here has been marked by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a drive to exceed expectations. We’ve spent countless hours in the library, participated in discussions that challenged our perspectives, and engaged in activities that pushed us beyond our comfort zones. Our education was never confined to the classroom; it spilled over into every aspect of our lives, teaching us about ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Celebrating Diversity and Unity

One of the most beautiful aspects of our journey has been the diversity of our class. We’ve learned from each other, blending our cultures, ideas, and dreams. We’ve created a vibrant tapestry that reflects not just who we are as individuals but also what we can accomplish together. Our differences have not divided us; instead, they have enriched our experience and given us a more profound understanding of the world.

Acknowledging Challenges and Resilience

Our path has not been devoid of obstacles. We’ve faced personal and academic challenges, moments of doubt and disappointment. Yet, here we stand, a testament to our resilience and determination. Each setback has taught us valuable lessons, forging our characters in the fires of perseverance. Our triumphs are all the sweeter for the hurdles we’ve overcome.

A Tribute to Our Pillars of Support

This journey would have been impossible without the unwavering support of those around us. To our esteemed professors, your wisdom and mentorship have illuminated our paths. You have not only been educators but also guides, challenging us to reach new heights. To our families and friends, your love and encouragement have been our anchor and our refuge. You celebrated our successes and stood by us through trials, believing in us even when we doubted ourselves.

Looking Forward

Today, as we stand ready to turn the page, we are not saying goodbye but rather stepping into a new chapter. The world awaits, ripe with challenges and opportunities. We are the architects of our destinies, equipped with a formidable arsenal of knowledge, skills, and experiences. Let us move forward with courage and optimism, ready to innovate, inspire, and contribute to a world that is ever-evolving.

As we embark on our next journey, let us pledge to carry the lessons we’ve learned into the future. Let us continue to be driven by curiosity, integrity, and a desire to contribute positively to our communities and beyond. Let us hold onto the friendships we’ve formed, the memories we’ve created, and the dreams we’ve nurtured.

In conclusion, my fellow graduates, today marks an end and a beginning. It is the end of our time at [School Name] but the beginning of a new, exciting phase of our lives. As we spread out across the globe, let us take pride in our achievements and face the future with confidence. We are the leaders, the innovators, and the dreamers of tomorrow. Congratulations to each one of you, and here’s to a future filled with promise and adventure. Well done, Class of [Year]!

Distinguished guests, beloved faculty, cherished family, friends, and my esteemed fellow graduates, as we assemble under the banner of accomplishment and anticipation, I am profoundly honored to address you as the valedictorian of this graduating class. Our collective journey has been an intricate blend of individual stories, each contributing to the beautiful mosaic that is our graduating class. Today is not just a culmination of academic rigor; it is a celebration of growth, resilience, and shared dreams.

We embarked on this academic journey as eager minds yearning to explore the vast landscape of knowledge and opportunity. We were driven by aspirations as diverse as our backgrounds, yet united by a common goal: to learn, to excel, and ultimately, to emerge as graduates ready to contribute to the world. Today, as we look back on the years that have shaped us, we also look forward with a sense of purpose and excitement.

Our Shared Odyssey

Our time at [School Name] has been an odyssey of transformation. We’ve navigated through courses that challenged our understanding, participated in discussions that sparked our curiosity, and undertaken projects that pushed our boundaries. Our education has been a holistic one, not just academically enriching but also personally transformative. We’ve laughed, debated, and sometimes even stumbled, but every step was a lesson leading us to this very day.

Embracing Our Differences

What makes our journey truly remarkable is the diversity we’ve embraced. Each of us brought unique perspectives and talents to the table, creating a rich and dynamic learning environment. We’ve learned the power of collaboration and the strength found in embracing our differences. Our varied backgrounds and viewpoints have not only enhanced our learning experience but have prepared us to be global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.

Overcoming and Growing

Our path was not devoid of trials. We’ve all faced moments of doubt and adversity, academic challenges, and personal hurdles. Yet, each obstacle was an opportunity for growth. We’ve learned resilience, adaptability, and the undeniable power of persistence. These experiences have not weakened us; rather, they have fortified our resolve and equipped us with the grit necessary to face the complexities of life.

Heartfelt Gratitude

As we stand on the brink of a new beginning, it is essential to express our deepest gratitude. To our dedicated faculty, you have been our mentors and guides, challenging us to think critically and act compassionately. To our families and friends, your unwavering support and sacrifices have been the wind beneath our wings. Your belief in our potential has been a constant source of strength and motivation.

Vision for the Future

As we look to the horizon, the future is replete with possibilities. We are entering a world that is ever-evolving, filled with challenges but also opportunities for innovation and leadership. We are ready to apply our knowledge, embrace lifelong learning, and make a meaningful impact. Let us be agents of change, leaders in our fields, and compassionate citizens of the world.

Our Commitment

As we step into the future, let us carry the torch of [School Name] with honor and responsibility. Let us commit to using our education as a tool for positive change, to pursuing our passions with integrity, and to lifting others as we climb. Our journey does not end here; it evolves. We are the authors of the next chapter, ready to make our mark with confidence and grace.

Closing Reflections

In closing, my fellow graduates, let us savor this moment of achievement and joy. As we scatter in pursuit of our next adventures, let us hold onto the memories, friendships, and lessons that have shaped us. We are bound together by this shared chapter of our lives, and no matter where we go, we carry a piece of [School Name] with us. Congratulations, Class of [Year], for all that we have achieved and all that is yet to come. The world awaits, and we are ready!

4 Tips To Write The Best Valedictorian Speech (With Samples!)

You have a special honor to reflect on the past and inspire your classmates. Use our tips and templates to craft a perfectly memorable speech.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Congratulations on being Valedictorian! 

You made it through the last 4 years, so believe us when we say writing a valedictorian speech doesn’t have to be complicated. Use our templates to write the perfect speech, and don’t miss our cheat sheet of inspirational quotes you can use at the bottom of the article.

Valedictorian Speech FAQ

What is a valedictorian speech?

A valedictorian speech is a graduation speech usually given by the student or students at the top of the graduating class. It is a farewell address to the other students in the graduating class to remember what has been accomplished and give inspiration for the future. 

How long should a valedictorian speech be?

A valedictorian speech should be from 5 to 10 minutes long but also check with your school administrators to find out what length they expect. Shorter is usually better. 

What are some features of valedictorian speech?

A valedictorian speech should include highlights, lessons learned, people who deserve thanks, and remembrance of anyone who may have died. Wrap up your speech with something motivational. 

What should I talk about in a valedictorian speech?

In your valedictorian speech, talk about the shared experiences of your class. Include any significant events and teachers who made a big impact, and include funny stories. Make sure to talk about the past and look forward to the future. See our templates below for more ideas.

How do I end a valedictorian speech?

To end a valedictorian speech, conclude with a final story or a statement that wraps up all your thoughts. End on a high note; remember that your final thoughts are what will stick the longest with your audience. 

How to Write a Valedictorian Speech

Step 1: ask around .

What memories will you take with you after you leave high school or college? 

Ask other students what their defining memories are, what they learned, and what their hopes are for the future. Remember, this speech is for all of you, so take the time to ask others to share their experiences. 

Ask Your Fellow Students These Questions: 

• What was the funniest moment for our class?
• What was a recurring joke from the last few years?
• What will our class be known for? 
• Was there a dramatic event on campus that impacted you?
• What dramatic event in the world impacted you the most? 
• What awards or accomplishments did our teams, clubs, or individuals receive? 
• Who is your favorite teacher? What are they known for? 
• Describe the last 4 years at our high school/college/university using 1 word. 

Step 2: Check for Themes

Once you’ve talked to others in your graduating class, look for any recurring themes. Write these down, and then think about world and school events that fit in with that theme. Tap into the nostalgia factor as you prepare to say goodbye to your school and classmates. 

Example Themes:

• Learning from mistakes
• Failure as an opportunity for growth
• Tenacity in the face of adversity
• Learning how to treat each other with kindness
• Overcoming the loss of friends or a teacher
• Teachers and students who inspire
• Overcoming obstacles as a team
• Accomplishing unexpected success

The great thing about choosing a theme is it provides you with a focus for the speech. Use your theme to guide what you reflect on and your main point. 

For example, if your theme is a failure as an opportunity for growth, you can tell a story about your experience with failure. Give examples of how classmates or teachers encouraged you to use failure as a springboard for success. 

Or, say the theme is overcoming obstacles as a team, you can reflect on obstacles that your class may have overcome, including challenges from current events. From there, you can inspire and encourage everyone to view future barriers in light of obstacles that have already been overcome. 

Step 3: Use This 3-Part Outline 

We know you hoped never to write another outline again. Don’t worry; you can skip the stuffy Roman numerals and break your speech into 3 sections. 

Here’s an inspiring outline that is especially suitable for a valedictorian speech:  

• Gratitude (although this isn’t present in many speeches, this is a key part of a valedictorian speech). What are you grateful for? List the funny moments you are grateful for. The teachers you are most thankful for. The parts of the school that helped you and your class the most.
• Reflect (similar to the above outline, reflecting looks at what is and what has happened). Is there an overview you can give of the last four years? What was Freshman year like? Sophomore year? Prom? Any particularly interesting homecomings you can reflect on?
• Inspire (inspire your audience in a way that directly links to what you have just reflected on.) What should they remember about the last four years that they should use in the next four years? What lessons have you learned? What can we hope for?

Step 4: Your Opening Line

The hardest part of your valedictorian speech might be the opening line. But don’t worry–we have some ideas for you in our video below!

Never Start a Presentation with…

• Anything technical! People make this big mistake when they have not done a tech check ahead of time or are feeling nervous. Never start with these openers:

Is this microphone working?

Can you hear me?

Wow, these lights are bright!

• Your nervousness. Many people think it is vulnerable to start with how nervous they are about speaking — you can mention this later, but it should not be the first thing. Why? People will then only be looking for signs of your nervousness. Don’t start with:

I’m so nervous right now!

Wow, there are so many people here.

I’m not a great public speaker.

• A lackluster or non-believable nicety. It’s great to be grateful to the person who introduced you, but it’s not a great way to include the audience. It’s ok to thank the audience for being there—but do it at the end (not as your opening line). These are all too boring:

Thanks for having me.

Thanks for that intro.

Nice to be here.

Boring! One exception here is if you can make it funny. Ken Robinson started with a nicety and then turned it into a joke. He said, ” “Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. I’m leaving.”

Action Step: Instead, start with a big idea, an important question, or a story, or grab one of our inspirational quotes below. These immediately capture attention. More Speech Opener Ideas here .

Step 5: Practice Like It’s Real

Practice your speech like it’s dress rehearsal:

• Grab a parent or grandparent. Ask supportive friends and family, but don’t ask anyone that makes you nervous. For now, you’re building confidence. If you don’t want to practice with other people watching, record yourself giving the speech so you can rewatch it and notice any areas you can improve. 
• Wear your graduation outfit. If you already have your cap and gown, wear that as well.
• Practice in a similar environment. For example, practice the speech in your backyard if the graduation is going to be outside. Will you be at a podium? Try to practice with a high table.

Pro Tip: If you plan to wear heels, ensure you’re comfortable walking up and down stairs. If you aren’t, practice wearing the shoes you’ve picked, or consider wearing different shoes. 

Bonus Step 6: Learn the Art of Stage Presence

Did you know that public speaking is actually a skill? Many people struggle with stage anxiety because they feel they ‘missed the memo’ on public speaking or they are lacking because they do not have a natural stage presence. Not true!

Stage presence and public speaking are skills you need to be taught—very few people have them naturally. 

Watch our video below to learn the 7 steps to overcome stage fright and beat performance anxiety:

Here are all the aspects of public speaking you can master.

• How to make a first impression with an audience
• How to have stage presence
• Powerful body language
• How to speak with a commanding voice
• What to do with your hands while speaking

For every speaking skill you add to your toolbox, the less speaking anxiety you will feel.

If you want help really diving into your presentation skills, be sure to sign-up for our course…

Master Your People Skills

• Create a Memorable Presence
• Communicate with Confidence
• Achieve Your Goals

Have a question about the presentation or People School? Email Science of People support .

Valedictorian Speech Examples

High school valedictorian speech template.

This template uses Nancy Duarte’s 4-step outline of what could be and a promise for a new norm. 

• Include funny or interesting pop culture and world events.
• Add an anecdote for humor.
• Tie it to your chosen theme.

Over the last four years, we have been devastated by the unacceptable ending of Game of Thrones, faced a global meltdown, and fought for #FreeBritney. And while most of us won’t remember the limits, differentiation, and integration needed for Calculus—sorry, Mrs. Meyers—we have learned what it means to persevere in the face of personal and global challenges. 

What Could Be: Use the theme to point to something positive you can attain as a class.

As we leave this point, we look forward to an uncertain but beautiful future. Despite the obstacles we may face, there is so much opportunity in front of us. 

What Is: Give some anecdotes of accomplishments and awards from your class. Include names and make the stories specific but concise. 

I know this because I’ve seen you overcome obstacles and accomplish big and small things. We’ve been inspired by the likes of Larry Owen, who showed great tenacity while recovering from his life-threatening football injury; the kindness of Jill Knight, our class president, who spearheaded the fundraiser to help hungry children; and so many others. When we raised money for Ukrainian refugees, we learned that each of us has the power to impact the world when we work together. 

What Could Be: Drive home the theme again.

That power doesn’t stop when we leave this school. As we make decisions about the future, we enter the world with our eyes wide open, determined to make the changes required to secure our future and care for our earth. 

What is: Transition into thanking anyone who needs to be thanked, and include anyone you are grateful for. Be specific about why you are thanking them, and have a quick anecdote if it’s relevant. 

On behalf of myself and my fellow graduates, I want to thank some of the people who have brought us here. 

Mr. Knitt taught us to think about the consequences of our actions. That’s a lesson I didn’t enjoy, but one I won’t forget. 

Mr. Owen was always there when we needed someone to talk to, and he taught us that it’s essential to listen even when we don’t know what to say. 

Ms. Jackson may have had the most challenging quizzes, but she also encouraged us to push ourselves to accomplish more than we thought possible. A big thank you to all teachers, administrators, and our families. 

Promise/New Norm: Close with any final thoughts, and include a quote if you like. 

Today, we graduate! As we go out from this place, I want to leave you with this quote from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the emperor of Rome. 

“Never let the future disturb you. If you have to, you will meet it with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” 

Class of —! 

College Valedictorian Speech Template

This template uses the 3-part outline of thank, reflect, and inspire. 

Gratitude: Start your speech with something funny, like a quote or something attention-grabbing, then lead into thanking the people who have helped you get to where you are.

The comedian Lily Tomlin once said, “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” 

Each of us is on the path to becoming somebody, and we are thankful for the teachers, administrators, and family who have shown us glimpses of who we can become. 

Reflect: Reflect on the past and how that interfaces with the future. Think about what you have learned from the time you spent getting your degree. 

Unexpected moments of both uncertainty and joy filled the past four years. As you look back at the late-night studying, the endless papers, and the assigned reading, you should be proud of what you have accomplished. 

You have invested in your future, and now your future is suddenly not far off but within your reach. 

It’s a bit scary, isn’t it? We’ve worked so hard to reach this moment, but it’s not the end of the journey; it is only the start of a new adventure. 

What can we take with us as we go out into the world? What lessons have we learned that will carry us forward? 

During my time at ___ University, I’ve realized that success is not my GPA, my social status, or even my potential to get a job in my career of choice. I’ve learned the people who influence the world are those who prioritize kindness and strength of character. People like Professor Scoggins, who invested in me, pushing me further than I thought possible, and like Mr. Robbins, who does maintenance on campus—he always has a kind word for anyone who stops to talk to him. 

I am more confident today, not because I hold a degree in my hands, but because of the friendships I have formed and the obstacles I have overcome. 

Inspire: Use the lessons learned from the past to inspire your fellow graduates to go into the world and embrace the future. 

Let us not pursue success and recognition as we go into the future. Instead, let us pursue kindness and generosity, believing each person to be valuable and worthy of our respect. 

I leave you with this quote from Bob Marley: “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” 

Thank you, everyone, and congratulations! 

Get Inspired By Great Speeches

When writing your speech, think about what makes you unique. Instead of confining yourself to an expected template, use your personality and giftings to create a memorable speech.  

Everyone appreciates humor; if you can make your audience laugh, you’ll leave a lasting impression. Make the humor meaningful, like this Harvard speech. They playfully talk about how to remember the past while moving into the future.

If you can’t be funny, be passionate. This speech from a Plano Senior High School Graduation isn’t amusing but filled with passion and encouragement. In under five minutes, Hana Lone recalls some of the shared memories of the graduating class and motivates listeners to be successful and kind people. 

Bonus Speech: What Not to Do

As you prepare your speech, remember it’s not an autobiography of your accomplishments or experiences. A great valedictorian speech is about your shared experience as a class. While Rory Gilmore’s address from The Gilmore Girls made us all cry, it’s a great example of what NOT to do in real life. Not everyone has a shared interest in you and your success, so skip the self-focus and keep your speech directed to your graduating class. 

Cheat Sheet of Inspirational Quotes 

If you can’t think of anything inspiring to say, an inspirational quote never fails to be… inspiring. We’ve gathered some of the best quotes to use in your speech. 

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. —Eleanor Roosevelt, Diplomat & activist

The future depends on what we do in the present. —Mahatma Gandhi, Lawyer and activist

Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future. —Robin Sharma, Canadian writer

We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. —Barack Obama, Former US president doing the best at this moment, puts you in the best place for the next moment. —Oprah Winfrey, Talk show host & businesswoman

Success isn’t always about ‘greatness.’ It’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. —Dwayne Johnson, Actor & businessman

We have a choice. To Live or To Exist. –Harry Styles, Singer-songwriter & actor

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present. —Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman emperor and philosopher

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. —Bob Marley, Singer-songwriter

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. —Coretta Scott King, Activist & civil right leaders

You have to expect things from yourself before you can do them. —Michael Jordan, a Professional basketball player

I’ve failed over & over & over again in my life & that is why I succeed. -–Michael Jordan, a Professional basketball player

You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. -–Michael Phelps, a Competitive swimmer

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. —Babe Ruth, a Professional baseball player

Now that you know how to write your speech, learn how to deliver it. Use these 15 Science-Based Public Speaking Tips to Be a Master Speaker.

Watch our video below to learn how to work a stage like a pro!

Popular Guides

How to deal with difficult people at work.

Do you have a difficult boss? Colleague? Client? Learn how to transform your difficult relationship. I’ll show you my science-based approach to building a strong, productive relationship with even the most difficult people.

Related Articles

Science of People offers over 1000+ articles on people skills and nonverbal behavior.

Get our latest insights and advice delivered to your inbox.

It’s a privilege to be in your inbox. We promise only to send the good stuff.

🚨 New Course! 25% Off Body Language Mastery 🚨

High School Valedictorian Speech Examples

Finally, the day has arrived when you’ve to say bittersweet goodbyes and embark on a new adventure. Graduating from high school might seem like a whirlwind experience, but it surely leaves one with infinite memories, invaluable lessons, and strong friendships. No matter how hard it was, you did it and made it this far. So, it’s a time to celebrate and raise a toast to all the hard work, guidance, support, and love without which it was not possible at all. 

Being a valedictorian is a moment of pride in itself but it also becomes your responsibility to make this day as memorable and exciting as it already is for everyone. In order to help you craft your impactful and captivating graduation speech, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that includes all the essential factors followed by examples that give a better idea of how these elements seamlessly come together within your speech. So, what’s holding you back? The moment is here, let’s get to work and make an everlasting impression.

How to write a high school valedictorian speech? Crucial elements to focus on

Graduation holds immense significance in a student’s life. It is a day to not only celebrate the achievements but also to reflect and embrace all those experiences when you overcome challenges, learned lessons, shared laughter, and created endless memories.

However, when it comes to addressing everyone on the stage on this day, it can be overwhelming as well as terrifying at the same time. To make sure, you nail your valedictorian speech and make this a memorable day for yourself and for everyone, check the following crucial points to keep in mind while drafting your speech:

• Address the guests: Though, it is a common point but is the important one. Before starting any speech, always address the audience. Use professional and respectful words while addressing them such as respected, worthy, esteemed, honorable, etc.
• Thank everyone: As the day of graduation marks the completion of the journey of high school, there are these important people without whom graduating was not possible. So, before talking about anything else, be thankful to them. Let them know how their valuable contributions have made a positive difference in your life.
• Express gratitude: Whether it is about challenges, lessons, or memories, be grateful for all you’ve acquired in these four years. No matter what, all these instances have played a vital role in shaping the individuals you’re today. So, express your heartfelt gratitude in a genuine and wholehearted way. You can share some instances and connect with the audience to prove your point.
• Add humor: Nothing can beat the impression created by sharing laughter in between your long speeches. You can add jokes or share any funny moment while addressing your fellow graduates. This will help you build more connection with them leaving a long-lasting impression of your speech. 
• Motivate for their future endeavors: As you’re going to take a new big step towards your career, add a few lines to inspire all students. Motivate them to take difficulties, and failures as an opportunity to learn and grow. For this, you can add any graduation motivational quote or can share any incident where you and your friends learned a significant lesson while trying to face and overcome the challenges. Try to evoke this feeling of conquering the world through your powerful words.
• Every end is the beginning of a new journey: Though graduation is a happy day, however, it does bring with it a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet feelings. As this is normal for people to feel this way, you can connect with them by acknowledging these emotions and encouraging them for what lies ahead. Inspire them that graduation is not the end but a beginning of a new chapter with lots of adventures to experience. You can also add a quote about life after high school here to motivate them for their new journey.
• Wish all luck and express excitement for a new journey: Conclude your speech by congratulating them on their achievements and extending well wishes for a new adventure. Show excitement and enthusiasm to cheer up the students and leave an unforgettable impression.

Given the above guidelines and strategies, presented below is an example of a valedictorian speech. Read on to get a better idea of how to write an effective graduation speech by ensuring that you’ve incorporated all the essential elements.

“Every time you were completely convinced you couldn’t possibly go on, you did!

And today you’re here, and way more to go.”

Worthy principal mam/sir, honored guests, teachers, parents, and my fellow graduates, A very good morning/evening to all of you. Today, as we all have gathered here to celebrate and mark the completion of our high school journey, I am grateful to be standing here as the valedictorian of graduating class of _____. It is an honor for me to represent each one of you here and express those unheard mixed emotions of gratitude, joy, nostalgia, and accomplishment.

First and foremost, I would like to pay our heartfelt gratitude to our great principal mam/sir under whose guidance and directions, we could learn and flourish. You have enriched our journey with valuable lessons that will be a guiding light in our future. 

We are thankful to our teachers and mentors without whom we could not have come this far. You all have transformed this rollercoaster ride into smooth sailing by supporting and cheering us throughout. Your dedication, hard work, knowledge, and support has shaped the individuals we are today. Thank you for believing in us every time even when we doubted ourselves.

To our pillars of strength, our parents and families, thank you for all the love and care that kept nurturing us to learn and grow. We owe this day to your endless sacrifices, constant encouragement, and unwavering hard work and support that made sure everything we need is there in place.

As we prepare to step into the next chapter, I am grateful for the challenges we’ve overcome, the friendships we’ve forged, and the memories we’ve created to cherish them for life. Whether it is late-night study sessions, helping with assignments, or cheering each other at sports events, we’ve built a bond that will remain with us for a lifetime. 

My dear fellow graduates, 

“Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey”  

We all have our own passions, story, and capabilities which will lead us in our own different paths. So, remember to embrace this individuality as your own superpower and take failures as opportunities for growth. With this limitless potential in ourselves, let’s face the world with courage and determination, and give our best to make our parents, teachers, and school proud of us. 

These four years have contributed enough to prepare us for our future endeavors. Let us carry with us the values and lessons we have learned. Let us strive for excellence and knowledge and try to make a positive difference in whatever we do. 

As popularly quoted by Helen Mirren 

“You will stumble and fall, you will experience both disaster and triumph, sometimes in the same day. But it’s really important to remember that like a hangover, neither triumphs nor disasters last forever.”

At last, as we’re going to take our next step toward our future, I want to express my profound gratitude to each one of you. You all have made this journey into a beautiful and memorable dream. Let us embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us and shine bright making our dreams a reality. 

Thank you, everyone, and once again Congratulations class of year ______. We did it!

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened

Honorable Chief guest, Respected Principal mam/sir, worthy teachers, a loving family, and all my dear friends.

Today marks the most important day in all our lives. Standing here in front of you all as the valedictorian of the class of year ______, my heart is full of pride and gratitude for this incredible opportunity to address you all. 

As I reflect back on our journey, there are these irreplaceable figures without whom this would not have been possible at all. Throughout these four years, our principal mam/sir, teachers, and mentors have been the guiding light. Beyond helping us with the curriculum and equipping us with the required knowledge, you’ve constantly encouraged us to keep working hard, explore beyond the walls of the classroom, and reach our full potential. Thank you for your tireless efforts, dedication, and support due to which this journey seemed less intimidating.

If there’s anyone who knows and understands us on an emotional and personal level, then it surely has to be our parents and families. Whether it is to cheer us on the sidelines, wipe away our tears, or celebrate our achievements, we are grateful to have you by our side always. It is your love, sacrifice, and encouragement that keeps us going and today we’re here ready to take a step towards building our dreams. 

My fellow graduates, We’ve gone through a lot in these four years which has shaped the individuals we’re today. From overcoming the challenges to exploring our passions, we’ve learned valuable lessons and made memories for life. As this journey of self-discovery has taught us the power of resilience and hard work, let us embrace the challenges and failures that lie ahead of us as opportunities to learn and grow.

“It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop” – Confucius

Through this time, we’ve seen each other in every highs and lows and have been there to support or help in any way possible forging great friendships for a lifetime. No matter, where you are, or what you are doing, remember that we all are unique in our own ways. We all have our own strengths, talents, and perspectives. So, let’s try to build a community where everyone is welcome and no one is judged by a pre-determined set of standards. 

In this competitive world, be kind and helpful. Let’s hold on to our values and lessons learned, and strive to make a difference. In the end, Many many congratulations class of year ____. Cheers to us and the incredible potential that lies within us. I wish you all good luck in your future endeavors. The world awaits our brilliance, creativity, and commitment to make it a better place

Wrapping up

Graduation may mark an end to the high school journey but it sets the foundation of your future endeavors. High school is the time that has helped you realize your full potential, so, on the day of graduation, reflect on all those experiences and express your gratitude to all those who have made a difference in your life by adding their valuable contributions. 

Out of all the speeches high schoolers have heard in these four years, valedictorian speech has the most impact on everyone. So, be careful while drafting it, and make sure you do not miss out on any point since this will be the last time you’ll be addressing these people. Go through the above guide and start working, after all the stage is all yours now.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Amazing Valedictorian Speech Examples & Tips

Memorable valedictorian speech examples (+ tips & ideas).

Becoming a valedictorian and giving a speech in front of other fellow graduates is a great honor. On the flip side, drafting a memorable speech that the audience will remember for a long time is a huge stress. You need to reflect about four years in high school, choose a theme that will resonate with others, and keep the audience engaged during the entire speech.

To make things easier for you, in this post, our pro speechwriters share the secrets for writing a perfect speech for your graduation ceremony.

Keep reading to find out:

• tips & tricks for writing a great valedictorian speech,
• two speech examples for your inspiration, and
• recommendations for polishing your delivery.

Are you too stressed to write your high school graduation speech? No worries - our experienced speech writers can craft your text from scratch or revise it. We prepare witty, inventive, and attention-grabbing speeches even if you need them by tomorrow. Contact us ASAP to get a free quote and your special student discount!

Good valedictorian speech examples

If you're not sure where to get started, take a look at the example valedictorian speeches to get inspired:

Source:  https://www.sampletemplates.com/business-templates/valedictorian-speech-examples.html

This speech reflects on the unique experience of everyone present and the importance of seeing each day as a learning experience. It also has an inspirational note, encouraging the classmates not to let our self-doubt stand in front of the new opportunities. As any other valedictorian address, it expresses gratitude to teachers, peers, parents, and faculty, and mentions that graduation is only the start of an exciting life.

Source:  https://www.docformats.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Graduation-Speech.png

This concise valedictorian speech congratulates proud graduates and is less formal than the previous one. It emphasizes the importance of education and academic excellence, as well as the friends you made in high school, and ends on a high note, congratulating peers on graduation day and encouraging them to take any path that students want in life.

You can use these examples to get an idea of how to organize your text and what to add. Below, we'll share tips and guidance for writing memorable, inventive valedictorian speeches.

What to say in your graduation speech: Tips & strategies

Good valedictorian speeches share some common elements. They express gratitude for being invited to speak, reflect on shared memories of school days, and look forward to the next phase of life. Here's how to craft a strong high school graduation speech:

Begin with a welcome and gratitude

The opening of your valedictorian speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation, so it's essential to grab your audience's attention from the start.

Begin your speech by thanking everyone who helped you achieve something in life and guided you along the journey - teachers, students, and parents. This will set a humble, appreciative tone. Congratulate fellow students on their big day and start with an anecdote or an interesting fact.

Choose a theme for your valedictorian speech

Good speeches have a central element that sets the tone. You may use one element for the entire graduation speech, or use two or three, just be sure to keep your speech concise. Reach out to other presenters to make sure that they don't use the same theme as you, otherwise the audience will be bored. Here are some popular valedictorian speech perspectives you can use:

• friends and friendship
• shared memories
• overcoming obstacles and failures
• advice to achieve success
• importance of gratitude
• stories about classmates, etc.

Mention collective experiences

After four years in high school, you and your classmates surely have some interesting stories and experiences. Consider telling about challenges you faced, anecdotes, or stories about important milestones. You can mention both achievements and learning experiences.

Sharing such stories will make your speech personal and human, and also will remind your friends and teachers about the most memorable moments.

Use inspiring quotes

Every great valedictorian speech quotes some accomplished person: Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rawling, Steve Jobs, etc. A relevant quote helps inspire the audience, better get your message across and surely draws the attention. Use quotes related to education, achievements, professional development, staying true to yourself, and overcoming setbacks.

Reflect on challenges you faced

Your graduating class surely had its fair share of challenges. Recollect the obstacles that the entire class or several students faced and how they overcame these challenges in your valedictorian speech. Such stories highlight resilience and determination, and show the life lessons you learned.

Similarly, you can tell about the shared triumph - winning in the contest or achieving a big goal together. Just be sure to pick stories that matter to your classmates and resonate with everybody. Such stories will inspire your peers to do better and overcome adversity in the future.

Storytelling techniques make any speech better. They keep the audience engaged and make people relate to your message. Weaving in inspirational stories will also remind your peers about the friendship and the importance of events they had together.

Look into the future

Graduating from school is not the end of your academic journey. In addition to reflecting on the past, a good valedictorian speech also looks positively in the future. Encourage your classmates to embrace change, pursue their dreams fearlessly, and make a positive impact on the world. No matter what path they choose, wish well to everyone in your graduating class and express hope for a great future.

Mention the importance of developing their talents and gaining knowledge for achieving success in life. Encourage everyone to grow professionally and personally. Everybody has the power to make a difference, so, you might want to make this a central element of your speech.

End on a positive note

At the end of the speech, recap the key points and remarkable moments you've shared in your address. Remind the audience about the amazing journey you had together. You don't know if you'll cross paths with your classmates and whether you'll go to the same university. So, wish them luck in all future endeavors and thank them for the time spent together.

Consider adding an inspiring call to action as well. Encourage your friends to pursue their dreams, realize their potential, and stay true to themselves. This will leave your audience with a closing statement that exudes optimism for the future and the great opportunities it holds.

Practice delivering your speech

Your valedictorian speech won't captivate the hearts of the audience if you don't show genuine emotions and read it from paper. After you've written your speech, take some time to polish your delivery. Practice speaking it at home in front of the mirror, or deliver the speech to your friends and family.

Watch your body language and use gestures.

Speak in front of the mirror to control your gestures, facial impressions, and other elements of body language. Use specific hand movements, facial expressions, and posture to enhance your message and connect better with the audience. Make sure that your posture and face are consistent with what you are saying.

Pay attention to your vocal delivery.

Use appropriate pauses and variations of tone to make your speech not only informative, but also emotional. Practice speaking in the microphone to choose the appropriate volume of your speech. Record yourself to see shortcomings in your delivery and fix them. Use a positive, hopeful tone to inspire your classmates and leave a lasting impression.

Maintain eye contact.

When delivering your valedictorian speech, you'll need to maintain eye contact to keep your audience engaged. Learn to scan the room and make eye contact with different sections of the audience. If this sounds challenging at first, try looking at the most distant person in the hall and speaking to them.

Mistakes to avoid when delivering your valedictorian speech

When it comes to delivering a stellar valedictorian speech, content and delivery are equally important. Be sure to avoid these common mistakes to leave a lasting impression:

• Don't read your speech  - while using speaker's notes is okay, reading from paper makes a poor impression. It shows your fellow graduates that you didn't take enough time to rehearse and practice.
• Don't rush  - some people start speaking faster when they get nervous. Yet, there's a risk that the audience miss the content of your speech. Practice to maintain a steady pace so that everyone understands your message.
• Don't use little-known facts  - in your speech, use stories that most graduates know and will find relatable. Sharing a story about your friend that anyone knows isn't likely to sound impressive.
• Don't keep it too formal  - leaving high school is an important emotional moment, so being too reserved can spoil the moment. Use genuine emotions when crafting your valedictorian speech - they will surely resonate with the audience.
• Don't overuse cliches  - each bad valedictorian speech is full of cliches. To make your speech memorable, use authentic stories and vivid language. If you struggle to pick the right words, consider working with a speechwriter.

By following these tips, you'll craft a valedictorian speech that reflects your shared journey, motivates your classmates for great things in life, and leaves everyone uplifted and inspired. So, encourage your classmates to strive for excellence in everything and highlight the potential of each individual.

Use storytelling techniques, show genuine emotions, and use an enthusiastic tone to get your speech remembered by everyone.

Let our valedictorian speech experts help and impress your graduating class

Writing and delivering a valedictorian speech is a responsible task. If you feel the pressure or your perfectionism gets in the way, consider getting help from a talented speechwriter. At SpeechPaths, we prepare affordable speeches for any special occasion, including high school graduation.

You'll work one-on-one with a pro writer who will find the right words and use storytellin

Dear visitor, our website has been recently updated. You can contact us if you have any concerns regarding the new version of the website. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

• Home →
• Delivery Techniques →

Inspiring Valedictorian Speech Examples to Help You Write Your Own

Most of us remember delivering a speech in front of our classmates during graduation, whether as salutatorian or valedictorian.

While inputting the right facts and research can be challenging, it’s important to make sure that your graduation speech is inspiring and motivating. Afterall, this is the last time you see many of your class mates, so you want your message to have an impact.

That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most memorable and inspiring valedictorian speeches. Review these examples to get ideas and help you craft your own unique speech. With thoughtful words and effective storytelling , you’ll be sure to make a lasting, positive influence to your classmates!

Reflecting on Our Journey

Throughout high school our journey of self-discovery and growth has been a constant.

As we look back on our journey, it’s important to recognize the significant role that memories have in helping us shape our lives and define who we are. What we reflect on can be both uplifting and humbling while inspiring us to strive for further success.

The more we reflect on our past experiences, the better able we are to learn from failures and successes alike. This not only helps us acknowledge our accomplishments, but it also gives us perspective and insight into how far we’ve come as individuals.

Reflecting on our journey is an opportunity to celebrate the best moments of our years in high school, from sports victories to unforgettable conversations with friends. It also allows us to appreciate all that we learned during those formative years that has helped shape the person we have become today.

It’s natural to feel hesitant about taking time out of a busy day to look back on our individual paths.

But it is a beneficial exercise, even if viewing the past causes painful emotions or overwhelming feelings of nostalgia. Reflection helps us fully appreciate what was achieved and reminds us to take time out of our daily routine for introspection.

Now that we have taken the time to reflect on our individual journey up to this point in life, let’s take a look at some of the notable accomplishments made by members of our class. In the next section, we will examine how remembering some of these triumphs can help provide insight into future goals and ambitions.

Remembering Our Achievements

The valedictorian’s job is to honor the successes and hard work of the graduating class. This can be done by looking back at our collective achievements over the past few years.

From faculty members to peers, remembering everyone who contributed to our success encourages a sense of gratitude and pride in our accomplishment.

One option for doing this is by recognizing special accomplishments or awards that were earned during our time together.

Names can be called out and stories can be shared , only if appropriate and welcomed by those mentioned. It is important to check with anyone beforehand if they are comfortable being publicly remembered in such a way.

It could also be done through sharing meaningful interactions and experiences with classmates. Narratives about how we have learned from one another and grown together remind us of all that we have accomplished, both as individuals and as part of a collective body.

Finally, it may be beneficial to recall moments of progress and growth throughout all of our years in school. Celebrating, even our smaller triumphs along the way further highlights the successes that brought us here today.

Remembering our achievements serves as a reminder of all the hard work our graduating class has put into their education and provides an opportunity to give credit where it is due.

Let us take this moment to pause and recognize everyone who was involved in ushering us here to this milestone moment in time. Now let us transition into celebrating our success as we look ahead at what is possible for us next on our journeys beyond this pivotal rite of passage.

Celebrating Our Success

When it comes to delivering the valedictorian speech, an important element is celebrating our success. The idea of celebration can take on different forms, from lightheartedness to a more serious acknowledgement of a job well done.

It’s up to individual taste as to how you as the valedictorian choose to celebrate and recognize your peers’ many accomplishments that brought you all together.

For those who prefer something more humorous and attractive to the crowd, celebrating with jokes or funny stories that have become part of the shared history of the graduating class can have a greater impact than simply citing general successes.

It shows familiarity and genuine appreciation for the special moments you’ve had with your peers that has led to your combined achievement.

Others may choose a more solemn tone, thanking their entire class for their hard work and dedication over the years which enabled them all to come so far in their respective fields.

This kind of approach also has its merits, as it adds a level of gravity to the speeches, conveying real admiration and gratitude amongst graduating students.

No matter which route one takes, celebrating success has long been an integral component in setting graduation ceremonies apart from everyday life.

As such, valedictorians do not only recognize the accomplishment of graduating classes but also the memories and stories held within their hearts that made it meaningful. Following this section about celebrating our successes, we’ll now discuss how we can look ahead to the future.

Looking Ahead to the Future

It’s perfectly natural to spend some time looking back and reflecting on our successes during the past few years, but when it comes to speeches, valedictorians should also look ahead.

Looking ahead creates a sense of direction and hope that can be shared with the other graduates, reminding them of all of the future possibilities that lie ahead. It also helps to encourage graduates to set goals for themselves and strive for a brighter future.

When talking about the future, many people have conflicting views on whether tackling hard challenges or taking risks should be considered a positive outlook.

On one hand, some would argue that taking risks can lead to incredible rewards and great opportunities. On the other hand, others may point out that the cost of taking too big of a risk can be very costly in terms of time and money spent.

However, instead of debating which side is right or wrong in this scenario, it is more important to focus on how graduates can prepare themselves for whatever life may bring their way.

Valadictorians can use their speech as an opportunity to challenge their peers by inspiring them to make proactive steps towards achieving their dreams – no matter what obstacles they may face along the way.

This may include setting goals apart from just focusing on academic performance; such as staying active, forming meaningful relationships and continuing to learn new skills.

Furthermore, valedictorians can talk about any struggles or set-backs they faced during their journey and about how perseverance eventually played a role in helping them reach their desired outcome – which could serve as an inspiration for those listening .

Overall, by looking ahead and encouraging their peers not just to take risks but find ways to proactively approach their future endeavors, valedictorians can get across an important message – even if it’s through leaving a graduation ceremony with mostly unanswered questions – that they are ready for the next step and up for the challenge.

With these thought processes in mind, let’s now look towards how we as individuals can set goals and understand the power of embracing each challenge head-on.

Setting Goals and Embracing the Challenge

It is no secret that words have the power to both motivate and to inspire. As graduating seniors, now is the time to reflect on our successes, our failures, and the many challenges we have faced in high school.

It can be easy to move onto the next step in life while leaving the past behind us; however, it is important that we acknowledge our individual growth and progress.

Having goals helps us to stay focused on what we set out to achieve. Presenting a detailed outline of your life’s purpose can help to keep you motivated and inspired throughout future milestones.

Remind your classmates that setting goals is essential for any success and should include listed plans; such as attainable academic objectives, personal fitness goals, financial milestones and career aspirations. Making achievable short-term objectives also allows you reflect on your progress as you reach them one by one.

Embracing challenge gives us an opportunity to enhance skills , learn from our mistakes, gain mental strength and resilience, improve problem solving capabilities and explore new ideas that just may lead to something great.

Even though a challenge may be uncomfortable or difficult, sometimes taking risks are necessary for growth. Highlight those times when everyone tried something unexpected out of their comfort zones and how they overcame their fears into becoming confident individuals who tackled anything that came their way because they weren’t afraid of failing.

Demonstrating this important message will help your classmates recognize that push through hard things in life; there are so many more opportunities waiting for them once they continue down this path in life until eventually reaching their end goal!

Through setting achievable goals paired with embracing the challenge of not knowing the outcome, we can take control of our own paths rather than allowing our futures to follow whatever route happens along the way.

Let your classmates know that every step taken in order to achieve something great adds up over time which is why it’s important not to give up no matter how long or hard it may seem! Now onto saying goodbye…

Saying Goodbye to Our Classmates

Saying goodbye to our classmates can be a hard task for any valedictorian speaker. On one hand, we want to express our gratitude for all the time shared together and the memories created. We have supported one another through difficult times and celebrated our successes together.

All of these experiences have brought us closer and given us the strength to overcome anything that comes our way.

On the other hand, some may argue that it is important to move on from this chapter in life and looking forward to what lies ahead in the future.

After all, every good ending paves the way for new beginnings and this could very well be a start of something great. It’s essential to take all these emotions while saying goodbye – sadness, happiness, excitement – and expressing them through an emotional yet motivating valedictorian speech tailored specifically to your graduating class.

These arguments aside, a valedictorian speech is not complete without expressing both appreciation and hopefulness of what lies ahead. To craft a memorable farewell speech that resonates with your classmates, you must include everything mentioned above and show your utmost sincerity in thanking your peers.

Armed with these sentiments, you can now put pen to paper for an example valedictorian speech that is sure to capture and move your entire audience.

An Example Valedictorian Speech

An example of a valedictorian speech can illustrate the harmonious combination of humor and humility, storytelling and self-reflection that creates an inspiring speech.

One such valedictorian speech was delivered by Valedictorian Avery June of Elmore County High School, who told moving stories about growing up in rural Alabama and the profound impact her teachers had on her success.

She poignantly noted that while she had pride in her own accomplishments, they were only part of her journey. Her understanding of the influence of her teachers and peers was instrumental in creating a sense of community and school spirit.

At the same time, not all good valedictorian speeches will be purely reflective or serious. There is a place for levity and humor, as demonstrated by another example valedictorian speech – given by Australian Valedictorian Tom Alchin from St Ives High School – which bravely mocked both himself and his school’s teachers to much applause.

He reminded the entire assembly of their shared accomplishments despite any internal disagreements – ultimately leading to contagious positivity and celebration. By using a humorous approach , he embodied the spirit of togetherness amidst any differences between individuals at the school.

These examples show how effective an inspiring valedictorian speech can be when rendered correctly – walking a fine line between self-reflection and levity without sacrificing either ambition or collaboration.

From these examples we can see how a valedictorian speech can set the tone for celebration while showing admiration for our schools’ greatest resource – its people.

In the next section, we’ll explore further examples which showcase proud alumni stories as well as advice on representing our schools with pride during a valedictorians speech. With this in mind, let us turn to exploring how we can be proud ambassadors for our schools during our own special day.

Being Proud of Our School

When it comes to delivering a powerful valedictorian speech, there is nothing more powerful than a heartfelt thanks and recognition of the school that you attended.

Every academic institution has unique features that set it apart from other schools, and as such, being proud of your school should play a prominent role in any valedictorian speech.

While everyone takes pride in their individual successes, acknowledging one’s school can be just as important—possibly even more important. Students should take time out of their speech to thank their school, students, teachers, administrators, and staff.

Doing so will provide an opportunity to show gratitude, recognize all those who have helped along the way, and provide an optimistic outlook of what the future holds for each student’s home school.

In addition to thanking components of the school community, valedictorians should also use their speech as an opportunity to speak about specific qualities about their home institution that makes it special.

Depending on the size or focus of the school (i.e., public vs. private), there may be some unique aspects worth mentioning from curriculum to diversity. Being able to recognize these qualities during a person’s valedictorian speech will serve as a direct compliment to the entire school community and provide validation for all its efforts.

It is important for a valedictorian to keep in mind though that not every criticism leveled against one’s school needs to be addressed during this time—instead, focus solely on what makes it great and why you chose to spend your time there.

Bring up positive stories or anecdotes if pertinent and while providing constructive criticism can be useful in other contexts and situations like alumni mentorship panels or boards of trustees meetings, remember that using your valedictorian speech is not really the place or time for it.

At the end of the day, no matter how much one does or does not agree with certain aspects of their school’s policies or traditions taking pride in where one went to high school should be sincere and heartfelt before anything else. With this in mind, being proud of our school should be at the center of any inspiring valedictorian speech!

In conclusion, crafting a memorable valedictorian speech can be an intimidating task. However, taking the time to plan out your speech and focus on elements such as tone , storytelling, and timing can help to make your valedictorian speech stand out.

Additionally, you should consider practicing in front of an audience or recording yourself ahead of time so that you can get comfortable with delivering your speech in front of a larger group.

Ultimately, a great valedictorian speech will take time and effort. But by utilizing inspiring valedictorian speeches as examples and paying close attention to the style and delivery of your own speech, you’ll be able to craft a meaningful and memorable valedictorian address for all to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses

What is the expected format of a valedictorian speech.

The typical format for a valedictorian speech is to first thank everyone involved in making the event possible and congratulate fellow classmates on their accomplishments. This can be followed by a brief reflection on the past four years, including any challenges that have been faced, before transitioning into an inspirational message about the future. The conclusion should include a memorable quote or saying to sum up the main themes of the speech.

In terms of structure, it is important to begin with an attention-grabbing statement , introduce topics in an organized manner, use vivid language and thought-provoking examples, and end with a strong conclusion . Additionally, it is important to vary sentence length and speak at a moderate pace so that your audience will remain engaged and follow your message.

How can I make sure my valedictorian speech is effective and impactful?

Making sure your valedictorian speech is effective and impactful requires you to be organized and creative. Before writing a word, brainstorm themes that represent your personal experience in the best light. Once you’ve identified your core message, you can begin structuring the speech in three parts: an opening statement, the body of the speech, and a closing.

When crafting your opening statement, use humor and heartwarming anecdotes to grab the audience’s attention. Opening statements should have a strong emotional connection with everyone in attendance.

The body of the speech should emphasize your core message by examples from your own life or experiences in high school. Try using visual aids such as pictures or videos to drive home key points in your presentation. Additionally, include quotes from educators, authors, politicians, or other influential figures to add depth to your delivery.

Finally, wrap up with a call-to-action for attendees to take away from the ceremony. End by expressing gratefulness for being selected valedictorian, for having been granted the opportunity to attend school with peers and teachers who have shaped their journey thus far.

By building an emotional base at the beginning of the speech and staying organized throughout, you can ensure that your valedictorian speech is both effective and impactful – regardless of how many people are present!

What are some tips for writing a valedictorian speech?

1. Think carefully about your topic. Consider what would be meaningful and inspiring to your classmates as they prepare to transition into the future. Take time to brainstorm ideas and narrow down your focus until you come up with something that stands out.

2. Get organized. Once you have chosen a topic , create an outline that divides your speech into sections, beginning with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Develop your main points and make sure that each one is addressed within each section of the outline .

3. Start writing as soon as possible. Begin drafting the body of your speech , utilizing concrete examples when possible to make it relatable and memorable for your peers. You can always edit your work later, but getting started is key in order to finish on time.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to teachers or other members of the school community who may have advice or feedback on how you can improve your speech before delivering it. Even if they are not familiar with valedictorian speeches specifically, they may be able to provide insights on writing or public speaking in general that will benefit you as you create your address.

5. Practice, practice, practice ! Rehearse your speech in front of friends and family until you are comfortable speaking it aloud from memory; this will help build confidence and give you the chance to iron out any issues before taking the stage at graduation day .

How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

• The Speaker Lab
• March 7, 2024

Table of Contents

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking , managing stage fright, and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

Find Out Exactly How Much You Could Make As a Paid Speaker

Use The Official Speaker Fee Calculator to tell you what you should charge for your first (or next) speaking gig — virtual or in-person! 

Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech , it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

Ready to Get Your First (Or Next) Paid Speaking Gig?

Download our free 26-page guide and get the 14 exact steps you can follow to book a paid speaking gig right now!

Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language . During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024

Explore Related Resources

Learn How You Could Get Your First (Or Next) Paid Speaking Gig In 90 Days or Less

We receive thousands of applications every day, but we only work with the top 5% of speakers .

Book a call with our team to get started — you’ll learn why the vast majority of our students get a paid speaking gig within 90 days of finishing our program .

If you’re ready to control your schedule, grow your income, and make an impact in the world – it’s time to take the first step. Book a FREE consulting call and let’s get you Booked and Paid to Speak ® .

About The Speaker Lab

We teach speakers how to consistently get booked and paid to speak.  Since 2015, we’ve helped thousands of speakers find clarity, confidence, and a clear path to make an impact.

Get Started

Let's connect.

[email protected]

Copyright ©2023 The Speaker Lab. All rights reserved.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

10 Tips to Write the Best High School Valedictorian Speech

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Writing a valedictorian speech can be challenging. Your audience has high expectations for you because you’re the highest-ranking student in the batch.

Don’t stress out. I’ve got nine tips for writing the best high school valedictorian speech that will make sure you leave an impact.

How to Write a Valedictorian Speech

Do you want to create a memorable speech? Follow these ten tips to write the perfect graduation speech.

Tip1: Talk About What You’ve Learned in Your Speech

The perfect valedictorian speech is one where you share the essential lessons from high school. These are not lessons learned in the four corners of the classrooms but life learnings you can apply everywhere.

You can talk about the importance of loyalty to your friends, sportsmanship after losing a game, or teamwork from your school play.

Tip 2: Check for Themes

Almost every school graduation event has a theme. People at school will expect you to follow this idea while incorporating your own memories, advice, and stories.

If there is none, you can create a personal theme that shows the essence of your entire high school experience. Think about school events that fit in with the theme, then start writing your valedictory speech.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Some sample themes include teachers and students who inspire, overcoming failure, connecting amidst adversity, and more.

Tip 3: Use an Outline

Follow this outline when creating a farewell address for your fellow high school students.

• Introduction
• Greet everyone congratulations.
• Introduce yourself.
• Give an overview of the last four years, from freshman to senior year. Mention significant moments like prom, homecoming, debate competitions, and more.
• What are you grateful for? Recall fun moments from high school you appreciate. Mention teachers you want to thank and the parts of the academic institutions that helped you achieve.
• Tie everything together.
• End with a memorable line.

Tip 4: Make Your Valedictorian Speech About Everybody But You

As valedictorian, you represent the entire school graduating class. So it only makes sense that you talk about everybody. Don’t turn it into a biography of your school accomplishments.

In Gilmore Girls , Rory wrote a valedictory speech entirely about herself. It’s the best example of what you should not do in real life. Not everyone cares about the books you read or your family members. It’s one of my fav shows, and I adore that character, but I shook my head at that scene.

Gather information about what the four years have been like for your classmates. Are there any school memories worth mentioning? Ask them what they want you to include in the speech. That will ensure your valedictorian speech becomes remarkable.

Tip 5: Your Opening Line

The hardest part about writing any speech is starting the introduction. Your opening line should instantly grab everyone’s attention, whether it’s your schoolmates, teachers, or parents.

Do not start your address with “Can you hear me?” or “Is this microphone working?” You also don’t want to share your nervousness while on stage.

Tip 6: Practice Like It’s Real

There are two ways to practice your speech. First, you can read your manuscript and rehearse your non-verbal cues. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the audience and use your hands for gestures.

You can also read it in front of trusted people so they can give you suggestions. Speaking in front of people will build your confidence. But if there’s no one around to help you, record yourself giving the speech to analyze areas of improvement.

Tip 7: See Your High School Years With a Sense of Humor

Another tip is to open your address with an attention-grabbing joke. This will keep your audience from being bored during the program.

One of the best jokes as a valedictorian is a self-deprecating one. It will make you more relatable to your batchmates. You can also share funny memories with classmates, teachers, and school administrators.

Tip 8: Learn the Art of Stage Presence

An outstanding stage presence is critical in giving an excellent speech. One way to achieve this is by embracing the power of the pause. It allows you to gather your thoughts and follow the outline you prepared for the speech.

Dressing to impress, respecting the audience’s time, and adjusting the tone of your voice also help. These small practices will allow you to get your audience’s reaction and remembrance.

Tip 9: Inspire Your Fellow Students

One of the critical features of a valedictorian speech is that it should be inspiring. Graduation is not only about celebrating the fact that you finished high school.

You also want your fellow students to look back at the best high school memories and then look forward to the future. Valedictory speeches should make everyone excited about college and their careers.

With the central theme in mind, try giving your fellow graduates an inspiring piece of advice. It can be about hard work, patience, overcoming self-doubt, and more. You can also use motivating quotes that will make a memorable valedictorian speech.

Tip 10: Hire a Speech Writer

Consider hiring a captivating valedictorian speech writer if you are having trouble putting your thoughts into words. They will help you deliver concise, clear messages that resonate with the crowd.

Professional speech writers also have excellent editing skills. They can spot spelling and grammar mistakes to produce the perfect speech.

Cheat Sheet of Inspirational Quotes

• “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
• “I’ve learned it’s important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is.” – Ryan Gosling
• “There are no regrets in life. Just lessons.” – Jennifer Aniston
• “You must have some vision in your life. Even if you don’t know the plan, you have to have a direction in which you choose to go.” – Oprah
• “Take your risks now. As you grow older, you become more fearful and less flexible … Try to keep your mind open to possibilities and your mouth closed on matters that you don’t know about. Limit your ‘always’ and your ‘nevers.’ Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken.” – Amy Poehler
• “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
• “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali
• “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron
• “You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell.” – Kerry Washington

Cheat Sheet of Funny Graduation Quotes

• “The unfortunate, yet truly exciting thing about your life, is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective.” – Jon Stewart
• “Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.” – Napoleon Hill
• “At graduation, you get to wear a cap and gown, but it’s a good idea to also wear something underneath it.” – Greg Tamblyn
• “Remember, when it comes to applying for jobs, books ARE judged by their cover!” – Patricia Akins
• “Minds are like parachutes. They only function when open.” – Thomas Dewar

Valedictorian Speech Example

Today, December 10, 2022, we have become [name of school] graduates. We recall endless lectures, meeting best friends during lunchtime, and looking forward to prom and homecoming. We also remember occasional sports events, field trips, and examinations. Now, we are future pharmacists, engineers, teachers, doctors, business owners, and more. Some of us plan to start new families, while others might want to take the independent route.

This year’s graduation theme is relevant to our experiences. University of the Future: Reimaginations, Reconfigurations, and Realizations. It’s time for us to reimagine a life of connecting beyond the four walls of the classrooms. The pandemic taught us the hard way to reconfigure learning and connect despite the spatial distance. Our four years in school also made us realize that our families, friends, teachers, and school administrators are our rock.

We are thankful for our teachers who encourage group collaborations and have become a source of motivation despite the challenges. We are grateful for the employees behind Tech Support, Registration, Student Advising, and other offices because they ensure that a collective space for sharing and learning is operating smoothly and democratically. Most of all, we are thankful for fellow students who humanize our learning experience and offer support beyond school-related matters.

When you leave the hall today, celebrate everything you have accomplished. Celebrate every hardship you encountered from freshman to senior year. Thank yourself for staying strong and persevering despite everything. Look forward to the future while keeping your connections with everyone in this room. Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Practice, Practice, Practice

The only way to give the best high school valedictorian speech is to practice it regularly. Read it in front of a mirror, make revisions when necessary, then recite it in front of a few people. Check for their reactions and feedback.

Once you have perfected your speech, you’ll be prepared to take on the stage like an expert public speaker.

Proposal Speech [Tips + 10 Examples]

224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

PHILADELPHIA SEPTEMBER 12-13 PUBLIC SPEAKING CLASS IS ALMOST FULL! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

• Public Speaking Classes
• Corporate Presentation Training
• Online Public Speaking Course
• Northeast Region
• Midwest Region
• Southeast Region
• Central Region
• Western Region
• Presentation Skills
• 101 Public Speaking Tips
• Fear of Public Speaking

How to Write a Graduation Speech (Graduation Speech Examples)

Have you been asked to deliver a commencement speech? Or have you worked your butt off to become valedictorian or salutatorian, and now you have to deliver a graduation speech? In this post, we will cover one of the more challenging types of presentation creation: How to Write a Graduation Speech . (By the way, I have also included a few popular graduation speech examples as a guide for you.)

Want to beat stage fright, articulate with poise, and land your dream job? Take the 2-minute public speaking assessment and get the Fearless Presenter’s Playbook for FREE!

This post is a continuation of our How to Create a Presentation series. We are going to break this post down into three parts, though. We will show you how to create a commencement speech in this post. Next week, I’ll show you how to write a valedictorian speech and how to deliver a salutatorian speech. Each of these graduation speeches has a slightly different purpose, but all of them need to be inspirational and funny.

How to Write a Commencement Speech

The commencement speech is often the keynote speech of the graduation ceremony. This presentation should be uplifting and entertaining, but this graduation speech should also teach a life lesson to the graduating students. If you do a search on YouTube of the best graduation speeches, many of these speakers will be famous comedians. When a comedian delivers a commencement speech, and the speech is posted on YouTube, it will always get a ton of views. The humor alone will make people want to watch the video. Three of the most popular of these speeches are by Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, and Ellen DeGeneres. The interesting thing about the speeches from these famous comedians is that, yes, they are funny, but the inspiration comes from what they learned from their failures.

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

A Good Structure When You Write a Commencement Address

Thank the crowd.

Start with Something Funny

Be Inspirational

The inspirational part of your commencement speech will come from the theme of the graduation speech . (For Sample Graduation Speech Themes , see the section below.) The easiest way to develop a theme is to look for an inspirational famous quote about success. You can do this by just going to Google and type in “success quotes”. Once you come up with a great quote, you can either paraphrase the quote and make it your own or quote the original speaker.

Tell Stories from Your Own Experience Related to Your Quote (Theme).

This the most important part of how to write a graduation speech. The stories and examples are what the audience will remember. These stories add emotion and inspiration to your graduation speech. They also help you build rapport with the audience. Finally, these stories make your delivery much easier. You don’t have to memorize a lot of material. Instead, just play the video in your head of what happened and describe the incident to the graduates.

For a great example of this, watch the YouTube video on Stanford University’s channel where Steve Jobs gives the commencement speech. I love this speech, because Jobs skips the introduction and the funny stuff and starts his speech with the following. “I’m going to tell you three stories.” It’s simple, and the crowd loves him.

End with an Inspirational Call to Action.

So as you go on to the next stage in your life and you experience failure… because you will experience failure, use that as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere. Don’t rest on that success. Use it as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere, and you will experience a series of successes and failures that will allow you to accomplish something great!”

Use this outline to create a simple 20 to 30 minute speech. (The shorter the better… No one gets a diploma until you finish.)

Sample Graduation Speech Themes

If you are having trouble coming up with a theme for your graduation speech, here are a few Sample Commencement Speech Themes. As you read through them, think about which them or quote has been most applicable in your career? Once you choose a graduation speech them, use the outline above to create your speech.

• Hard Work Leads to Success

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Coleman Cox

• Create Your Own Path.

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville

• Make Things Happen.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau

• Don’t Settle for Average. Strive for Greatness.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” –John D. Rockefeller

• Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity. Look for a Way to Create Your Own Opportunity.

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser/blockquote> The Road Ahead is Hard, But It Leads to Success. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” — Jim Rohn

• Focus on Your Dream.

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee

• Learn from Every Mistake to Move Toward Success.

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” — Conrad Hilton

• When Your Why is Big Enough, Your How Will Appear.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” — Jim Rohn

• Happiness is the Key to Success.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

Use the Speech Creator as a Guide to How to Create a Graduation Speech

Once you have chosen a them, and you have a few stories to inspire your audience, use our Online Speech Writer to help you organize your thoughts. (It’s free.)

Free Public Speaking Tips , Podcasts

View More Posts By Category: Free Public Speaking Tips | leadership tips | Online Courses | Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes | Podcasts | presentation skills | Uncategorized

Looking to end your stage fright once and for all?

This 5-day email course gives you everything you need to beat stage fright , deliver presentations people love , and land career and business opportunities… for free!

16 Best Graduation Speeches That Leave a Lasting Impression

Some of the most impactful and inspiring sentiments are shared during graduation speeches delivered by the leaders we look up to. Graduation speeches from celebrities , entrepreneurs, authors and other influential thinkers are motivational, inspiring, thought-provoking and just might make you reach for the nearest tissue. After four years of hard work, stress, and exhausting self-discovery, lucky graduates are privy to a life-changing speech to top it all off.

Here, we rounded up up 16 of the best graduation speeches of all time, including words of wisdom from Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and more.

1. Steve Jobs: Stanford, 2005

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

2. Michelle Obama: Tuskegee University, 2015

"I've found that this journey has been incredibly freeing. Because no matter what happened, I had the piece of mind knowing that all of the chatter, the name-calling, the doubting...all of it was just noise. It did not define me, it didn't change who I was, and most importantly, it couldn't hold me back."

3. Natalie Portman: Harvard, 2015

"I just directed my first film. I was completely unprepared, but my own ignorance to my own limitations looked like confidence and got me into the director's chair. Once there, I had to figure it all out, and my belief that I could handle these things, contrary to all evidence of my ability to do so was half the battle. The other half was very hard work. The experience was the deepest and most meaningful one of my career."

4. Amy Poehler: Harvard University, 2011

"What I have discovered is this: You can't do it alone … Listen. Say 'yes.' Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often."

5. Meryl Streep: Barnard College, 2010

"This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There's only change, and resistance to it and then more change."

6. David Foster Wallace: Kenyon College, 2005

"Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the liberal arts cliché about teaching you how to think is actually shorthand for a much deeper, more serious idea: learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master."

7. Barack Obama: Howard University, 2016

"You have to go through life with more than just passion for change; you need a strategy. I’ll repeat that. I want you to have passion, but you have to have a strategy. Not just awareness, but action. Not just hashtags, but votes."

8. Kerry Washington: George Washington University, 2013

"You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that can write the story that you were meant to tell."

9. Conan O'Brien: Dartmouth College, 2011

"There are few things more liberating in this life than having your worst fear realized. Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality … Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."

10. J.K. Rowling: Harvard, 2008

"I stopped pretending to be anything than what I was. My greatest fear had been realized. I had an old typewriter and a big idea. Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

11. Oprah Winfrey: Harvard University, 2013

"Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are. And then figure out what is the next right move. And the key to life is to develop an internal moral, emotional G.P.S. that can tell you which way to go."

12. Joss Whedon: Wesleyan University, 2013

"You have, which is a rare thing, that ability and the responsibility to listen to the dissent in yourself, to at least give it the floor, because it is the key—not only to consciousness–but to real growth. To accept duality is to earn identity. And identity is something that you are constantly earning. It is not just who you are. It is a process that you must be active in. It's not just parroting your parents or the thoughts of your learned teachers. It is now more than ever about understanding yourself so you can become yourself."

13. George Saunders: Syracuse University, 2013

"Do all the other things, the ambitious things … Travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop)—but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness."

14. Nora Ephron: Wellesley College, 1996

"Be the heroine of your life, not the victim."

15. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Wellesley College, 2015

"As you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in. Minister to the world in a way that can change it. Minister radically in a real, active, practical, get your hands dirty way."

16. Admiral William H. McRaven: University of Texas at Austin, 2014

"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."

• The 8 Best Movie Graduations of All Time
• The Six Products You Need to Look Great in Your Graduation Pics
• 27 Movies You Need to See Before Graduation—No Excuses

Get the Reddit app

Join the A2C Discord!

r/ApplyingToCollege is the premier forum for college admissions questions, advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more. A2C supports a welcoming and inclusive environment. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying are not tolerated.

What do you actually want to hear in a valedictorian speech?

I know this is not college related but I am assuming everyone here is in the junior or senior year! What do you guys actually want to hear?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• Choosing Good Topics
• Controversial
• Demonstration
• Extemporaneous
• Informative
• School/College
• Special Occasion
• Public Speaking Help
• Writing a Speech
• Free Sample Speeches
• Share Your Speech
• A Valedictorian Speech

Leon from the United States sent his example of a valedictorian speech . He said the following about his specimen: "I know it's a little short but the time limit was 2 minutes. This (exemplar) is for my middle school, hence the three years mentioned, so bear with me if it's not too good."

I think Leon's speech is great! It is moving and inspiring!

I hope this excellent example of a valedictorian speech helps you out in putting together your own. If you would like to share your speech and personally prepared talk with the visitors to best-speech-topics.com  fill in the form .

Thanks so much  M. Leon  for sharing your great speech with us!

Beginning of Valedictorian Speech

Today is a turning point in each of our lives. We have spent the past years wandering the halls of this great school and now we are ready to go on.

We have learned, laughed, loved, gotten into trouble, and most of all matured together. But today doesn't just concern reminiscing about the past; it's also about looking forward into our future.

Life is a series of passageways, and we are leaving one and moving on to the next. When we reach that daunting place next year that has been our destination for three years now, we will start over.

We will meet new people, make new friends, and learn new things. We will grow older, more responsible, and independent. Then, the cycle begins again in college, and after that, we are left to traverse the unmapped expanse that is our future.

Hereafter our lives will hold many surprises for us, but I'm sure that we will approach challenges with the same boldness and equanimity with which we tackle problems currently. The unknown of our future may seem frightening now, looming over us like a dark thundercloud, but we might find that it is just a light, spring rain that brings the tidings of a rainbow.

As I look over the many faces I behold today, perceptions of individuals are washed away. I no longer see people as they were; I see them as they will be. So, rather than a young boy, failing all his classes, I see the next Einstein, making revolutionary discoveries. I know that this amphitheater holds the next decade’s great business leaders, doctors, politicians, scientists, and stars, and that all of these graduates will contribute to the fabric of the future in some way.

So when looking at the bright horizon that is my future, I am happy. For although my life will contain sadness and heartbreak, it will also hold joy, love, and success. And I know my classmates' will too. So don't look back, and regret, my friends, look forward, and smile.

End of A Valedictorian Speech

Free email delivery

MASTER INFORMATIVE SPEAKING WITH OUR FREE CHECKLIST!

We are offering you a  FREE   SpeakFlight Informative Speaking Preparation Checklist. This valuable resource is packed with step-by-step guidance to help you create compelling, memorable, and effective informative speeches.

Share this page

You might like these.

Example of a Valedictorian Speech

Use this example of a valedictorian speech to inspire you to write one of your own.

Sample High School Graduation Speech to Inspire You

A sample high school graduation speech sent in by a visitor to Best Speech Topics. This speech honors all those who helped this student graduate and is an excellent example to follow when crafting a speech of your own.

Top 15 Graduation Speech Topics

15 Graduation speech topics, plus tips for coming up with your own ideas for what to say on this important occasion.

Return to the Top of the Page

Recommended pages:

Graduation speech tips.

Writing Graduation Speeches

Graduation Speech Topics

Graduation Songs

Writing Commencement Speeches

Commencement Speech Topics

Quotes to Use

• Quotes for Graduation Speeches
• Positive Quotes for Kids

More Quotes for Kids

Sample Speeches to Inspire You

High School Graduation (1)

High School Graduation (2)

High School Graduation (3)

College Graduation

University Graduation

Valedictorian Speech

• Best Speech Topics
• School Speech Topics

Easily search your speech type

Just check out the sitemap for best-speech-topics.com , which lists all the pages on the site, or use the search box below:

Get to Know Us

• Privacy Policy

Attention Grabbers

• Poems & Quotes on Death
• Quotes on Retirement

Most Popular Pages

• Free Samples
• Good Speech Topics
• Hypnotize Your Audience
• Welcome Speech

Select a Speech Topic

• Argumentative
• Commemorative
• Inspirational
• Interesting
• Other Topics

Let Us Help You

• How To Write a Speech
• Demonstration Outline
• Informative Outline
• Introductions
• Using a Microphone
• Speech Help
• Speeches Made Easy

Powerful 2 Minute Speech Topics: A-Z Guide (With 200+ Examples)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

It is often believed that giving a 2-Minute Speech is the most challenging form of public speaking because of the time constraint. But here I am to tell you that there is something even more challenging than giving a 2-minute speech. And that is finding a powerful 2-minute speech topic !

2-minute speeches are short, crisp ways to present your opinion, understanding, or study to others. It is short. It is simple. And it is convenient, especially from the listener’s point of view.

To know more about 2-minute speeches, check out this short video below:

Here is what you can expect from this blog:

What is a 2-minute speech.

• How do you find a 2-minute speech topic?
• 2-minute speech topics

How to make a 2-minute speech script?

2-minute speeches to memorize, delivering 2-minute speeches.

2-minute speeches are short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words.

Because 2-minute speeches are short, you can be assured of having constant attention from your audience. This means that you might have to come up with a 2-minute speech topic that is not only informative and interesting but one that stands out and makes the audience want to listen to it immediately.

So how do you find a 2-minute speech topic?

There are 2 ways you can find a 2-minute speech topic that would suit perfectly for your next speech.

First is when you go about doing your research and then ideating or selecting a topic that is more in line with your purpose of giving the speech.

The second and the most popular way to find a 2-minute speech topic is to go on to google and type 2-minute speech topics. You shouldn’t be shocked at the number of topics the internet has to offer to you. You might not even have to go anywhere else, jump on to the speech topics section if you want to get straight into selecting a 2-minute speech topic for yourself.

Researching for your 2-minute speech topic

So, you chose not to select one of the many topics available on the internet? That’s great! Want to know why?

1. It would help you come up with a topic that is more personalized and less common.

When you come up with the topic yourself, you move from the very broad topics available online and can find a topic that caters more to your area of interest or understanding.

2. You would be able to narrow down on a topic of your choice or area of interest.

3. it would help you gain an understanding of the topic from various points of view.

In the initial ideation stage, as you try to research the topic and find a topic for your 2-minute speech, you would be exposed to various political, environmental, or social perspectives of the same topic which would further help you to not only narrow down your topic but also understand your topic from various points of view, thus helping you ace a question-and-answer round.

Process of Finding a topic

Before beginning straight up by researching your topic, there are a couple of things that you might have to take a look into which will help you navigate through the next step (that is researching for your topic). These include:

1. Understanding the event for which you’d be giving the speech

Understanding the event or occasion where you will be giving the speech is important as it would give you a brief idea of what is expected in terms of the content and tone of your speech .

So, for instance, if you are giving a speech at a conference, it would have a more formal tonality to it as compared to a speech that you might present at your best friend’s wedding which would usually be filled with a lot of slang, humor, and casual tone.

2. Understanding your audience

The next thing you should try to find a little more clarity on is your possible audience. Understanding who the majority of your audience will comprise will help you in finding a topic that would be more in line with their broad interest, thus attracting them to listen to your speech right from the very beginning .

3. Your interests and knowledge

Yet another thing that you must take into consideration besides what the event and audience expect from you is your interest in the topic. Having a tad bit of understanding of the speech topic you would want to dive into can also help you in navigating through your research better.

4. Your purpose for giving the speech

Establish your purpose for giving the speech even before you start researching. The reason is very simple, you’d be able to understand which kind of a topic you should focus on depending on the purpose of your speech.

Do you plan on providing the audience with detailed information on the topic? Or are you trying to sell your view or product to the audience within these 2 minutes?

In both cases, your topic, as well as the structure of speech, would be very different.

Once you have an idea of your audience, your interests, and your knowledge areas, you can then move on to researching your topic.

A simple google search can be a good starting point.

Take the help of news articles, journals, blogs, and much more to narrow down and come up with a 2-minute speech topic that you feel most excited about!

Selecting a 2-minute speech topic from the internet

A-z list of 2-minute speech topics, find some of the best 2-minute speech topics here:.

• Abortion: Should the government have a say in it?
• Art:  A mode of storytelling
• A day in the life of a (add your profession, organization, or ethnicity)
• Artificial intelligence: a boon or a curse?
• Art and Craft: a lost activity
• Benefits of Yoga
• Benefits of meditation
• Ban on Animal testing
• Bullying and how to discourage it
• Buildings and Aesthetics: An architectural standpoint
• Chronic Depression and its cure
• Cults: The secrets you know nothing about
• Cultural difference: The harsh reality of moving abroad
• Corruption: the hidden dirt
• Cricket: sport turned into a religion
• Climate Change
• Disaster Management
• Domino effect in real life
• Demonetization in India
• Dance therapy and its uses
• Dealing with daily hassles of life
• Environmental pollution and its adverse effects
• Education system of India
• Election ethics and rules
• Elocutions: Everything you need to know
• Everything we know about aliens
• FOMO (Fear of missing out) and how to deal with it
• Falling in your dreams: the meaning behind it
• Fat loss fads you must avoid
• Fitness and influencing
• Forced labor: An unfortunate reality
• Girl Education: The inspiring story of Malala
• Generation gap and how it affects communication
• Gender sensitization and ways of being more aware of it
• Growing a terrace garden
• Gaining muscles: everything you need to know
• Health and Hygiene: Two underrated
• Hacks to do well in your academics
• Habits that are ruining your health
• Hollywood: An insight into the world of glamour
• Hitchhiking your way to find peace
• Importance of reading
• Importance of following a routine
• Importance of kindness
• Importance of education
• Importance of sports
• The language barrier and how to overcome it
• Loyalty: An endangered quality?
• Land Pollution and ways to deal with it
• Less is more: All about Minimalism
• Legalization of marijuana: An opinion
• Moral Policing: is it ethical?
• Memorizing speeches and their disadvantages
• Making friends as adults
• Manifestation: A belief or a joke?
• Millennials: generation of environmental advocates
• Mental health
• Music and its power to heal
• Media and its effects on forming opinions
• My role models
• Noise pollution
• National integration
• Natural resources: A tragedy of depleting future
• Negating minorities and their impact on the overall development of the country
• Natural disasters: Can we tackle them?
• Online dating and its effects on self-esteem
• Online education and its authenticity
• Overcoming fear through exposure therapy
• Olympics 2021
• Organ donation: Progress made so far
• Our Environment, our responsibility
• Pros and cons of being a vegetarian
• Political ideologies that shook the world
• Poor scores and their effect on the success
• Parenting styles over the years
• Paternal leaves in Indian organizations
• Poverty in India
• Positive thinking and gratitude
• Punctuality: Through the eyes of different cultures
• Quarantine and increase in social anxiety among people
• Qualifying for Olympics: Struggle unspoken of
• Quran and its teachings
• Questionnaire: The best way of collecting data?
• Questioning and its importance in the workspace
• Racism:  An unfortunate view in the society
• Right to education
• Religion vs Spirituality
• Reasons why failure is important
• The reality of fast-food brands
• Should body-shaming be a punishable offense?
• Sneaker trends that would blow your mind
• Sustainable fashion brands to follow
• Shaping perspectives through conformity
• Time management: A necessary corporate skill
• Travel and tourism: A Course
• Technology and its growing importance in everyday life
• Tourism in India
• The best day of my life
• Unity: A quality that formed countries
• Unity in Diversity in India
• Unemployment and its impact on the mental health of the youth
• Understanding climate change
• Understanding the importance of compounding
• Value of Education
• Value of Hard work
• Value of Discipline
• Videogames and their influence on violent behavior
• Viral: A trend or a tragic accident?
• Which is better: Studying in the country or moving abroad?
• What does sustainability mean?
• What is the Bermuda triangle?
• Water pollution and its solutions
• Waste management around the world
• World peace: An idea that is achievable or too far-fetched?
• Xenotransplantation: Future of organ transplantation
• Xerox: A brand or name for photocopy
• Xbox and its evolution over the years
• X-rays and how it harms the human body

2-minute speech topics for students

What are the best topics for students.

If you have asked yourself this question but haven’t received an answer yet, check out the list below to find one now!

• Opinion on the New education policy
• Need for sex education in schools
• Overcoming the problem of Brain Drain
• Addressing the issue of child labor
• Pros and cons of online degrees
• Boarding school vs full-time schools
• Co-ed school vs gender-specific schools
• Liberty to choose your subjects in schools
• Ban on uniforms
• Curbing school shootings
• Grading system: Changes required.
• Peer pressure and the need to fit in
• Coping with academic stress
• Are scores a good measure of student’s intelligence?
• Importance of focusing on extracurricular activities

2-minute speech topics for MBA students

• Advantages of cloud kitchens
• Importance of understanding the market
• Best marketing strategy
• Hard work vs smart work
• The rise of entrepreneurship in India
• Importance of internships in skills building
• Reservation system: My honest pinion
• Pros and cons of working from home
• Everything about GST you don’t know of
• Stocks or Cryptocurrencies?
• Using reels to market products
• Understanding the importance of influencer marketing
• Assessing job satisfaction among employees
• Biggest banking frauds in the world
•  How movies influence fashion trends
• The insane E-commerce discounts
• Women in Business
• Why age is just a number when it comes to entrepreneurship
• Management lessons from mythology
• Make in India or Make for India?

Speech topics for adults

• Are first impressions really the most lasting impressions?
• Importance of observing in everyday life
• Conforming vs standing out: What should you prefer?
• Impact of positive thinking in healing chronic diseases
• Importance of body language in public speaking
• Is buying luxury goods on a loan worth it?
• Why renting a house is better than buying it
• Why timetables never work
• How do colors affect the way we feel?
• How your brains are wired to think negatively
• Impact of childhood trauma on antisocial behaviors
• Love: Difference between what is real and reel
• Why being young is overrated
• Are you a victim of the fashion industry?
• How to easily start a conversation
• Savings in college could help you in your 40s
• Being happy all the time is an unachievable reality
• The advantages of taking calculated risks
• Dealing with stress on a daily basis
• How do you overcome obstacles?

2-minute speech topics for the Interview

• Understanding the future of the metaverse
• Hard work leads to smart work
• Effect of job satisfaction on life satisfaction
• How to motivate the employees in no time
• Gender Equality in the Workplace
• How to get over stage fright?
• How to give a speech in an interview?
• How organizational culture affects motivation?
• Management strategies that can help in improving productivity
• Ways to essentially decrease production costs

Funny 2-minute speech topics

• Why I would rather go to jail than clean utensils
• If I could live my cat’s life for a day
• The most profitable mistake I ever made
• Tutorial on how to deny reality
• Tips on walking your dog
• Why you must never eat fish food
• Things you can do to irritate someone
• Evolution of my new year’s resolutions
• Adulting and falling in love with the idea of arranged marriages
• Dating in 2022

2-minute speech topics on any proverb

• Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
• Actions speak louder than words
• Health is wealth
• Joy of giving
• Don’t judge a book by its cover
• Knowledge is power
• Laughter is the best medicine
• Action speaks louder than words.
• A jack of all trades is a master of none.
• A good listener is a silent flatterer.
• All that glitters is not gold.
• Among the blind, the one-eyed man is the king.
• An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
• As you sow, so you shall reap.
• What goes around comes back around.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• Time is money.

Unique speech topics

• The tragedy of not being on social media
• Importance of taking a drop year
• Are scholarships always fair?
• Reasons teenagers start substance abuse
• Places on earth no man has ever been
• The most surveillance city in the world
• Why euthanasia is justified
• Formal schooling is important despite not being practical
• If the earth stopped rotating for a split second
• Benefits of boiling water

2-minute speech topics on famous personalities

• Mahatma Gandhi
• William Shakespeare
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Nelson Mandela
• Barack Obama
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• Virat Kohli
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Winston Churchill
• Abraham Lincoln

Once you have decided on your topic for the speech, the next step is to come up with the speech itself or the script.

For this, you’ll have to understand the approx number of words you will be comfortable adding to your speech so as to not exceed the time limit of 2-minutes.

Next, you can go about the usual “ introduction, main body, and conclusion ” structure for structuring your script.

It isn’t necessary for you to frame the entire speech word for word, you can also frame it in a pointer format if that is more convenient for you.

How do you start a 2-minute speech?

As there isn’t much time in your hand, presenting detailed opening lines for a 2-minute speech would mean that you would have to cut down on your main content.

Instead, you can start by giving a very quick introduction like “Hi I am Nisha and I will be talking about the adverse effects of sleep deprivation today with you.”

You can also use other more fun and engaging ways to begin your speech and there are tons of ways you can do it. Check out the list below to find examples of a few:

1. Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are questions wherein you want to provoke the audience to think and not to come up with any specific answer . An example of the same is given below.

So from a glance, do I look like marriage material? Nina Donovan

Jokes and humor are almost always appreciated by the audience provided it isn’t even slightly derogatory or demeaning to anyone. Opening your 2-minute speech with a joke can in fact be a good attention grabber that would also not take up a lot of your speech time .

Example of a joke used as an opening line:

Do you know when brown kids get slapped? Every brown birthday party. Hasan Minhaj

3. Statistics or figures

What is the best way to make someone understand the reality of any situation you ask? Figures, numbers, or stats!

Because when the audience sees the number in front of them, they can no longer be in denial or in their own world of assumptions. Hence, using statistics in your opening lines would definitely help you reach your goal of spreading awareness (if that is what your purpose is).

Suicide happens to be one of the leading causes of death in United states with approximately one indivdiual dying to suicide every 11 minutes. The question is why are we still overlooking this grave issue?

To know more about effective opening lines, check out our post on 50 speech opening lines .

Following your brief introduction, as you dive into your topic, there are a couple of things that you must keep in your mind, they are:

• Stick to only one takeaway . Having many takeaways might not help you effectively reach the audience.
• Try to add short stories only if you plan on adding a story to your speech. Make sure that it isn’t taking up a huge chunk of your speech time.

How do you end your 2-minute speech?

In short speeches, your ending or conclusion is very important. It needs to be impactful. You can either summarize your speech in a couple of seconds or you can re-establish your takeaway at this point in your speech. You can try to end with a powerful quote or try to motivate your audience to take some action .

An example of asking the audience to take an action is,

“So as we reach the end of the speech on effects of sleep deprivation, I’d want you to go back home and think to yourself, is browsing for  a couple of more minutes really necessary over your precious sleep?”

To take a deeper look into the closing lines for your speech, check out our video below!

2-minute speech on Brain Drain

Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadela, Leena Nair, and Paraag Agarwal what do they all have in common?

You probably guessed it right! They are the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world but there is yet another commonality that they have. They are all Indian Origin CEOs who gained their initial education from some of the top colleges in India to hold such exceptional positions in world-renowned companies now. 

If this isn’t a good example of brain drain, I’m not sure what is. Brain drains, a concept that is very common to Indians when we lose some of the smartest people of our country to better opportunities abroad. These companies not only offer the individuals with better work ethos and environment but also provide them with a handsome paycheck and add to that the amount of appreciation they receive for the work they chip in. Something that is either too rare or alien to the Indian work environment. 

But the scenario in India is changing. With the coming of start-up culture in India where the employees are given just as much priority as the company’s clients If the companies encourage such open and collaborative culture where there is a fair opportunity for growth provided to all the employees, we might be able to see some considerable fall in the problem of brain drain in India.

Importance of education 2-minute speech

Do you remember how in school they asked us to prove whether the two figures were triangles when you could easily have concluded that they indeed were triangles just by looking at them?

So then why do we say that education is important?

For starters, to be able to live a decent life, the basic requirement for any job is for you to possess at least a diploma or degree. Apart from the theoretical learning that we get through education, there are plenty of other skills and experiences we are exposed to like broadening our perspective by interacting with peers, enhancing public speaking skills, understanding the basics of how the world functions are it the laws and rights that the individual possesses or the understanding of geographical division and economic conditions in the society. Education helps in enhancing the capacities, attitudes, interests, urges, and needs of the individual. And hence when the student or individual is deprived of education, it isn’t just the theoretical knowledge that they miss out on but they also miss out on having a holistic development of themselves. This is what makes education very important in everyone’s life.

Level up your public speaking in 15 minutes!

Get the exclusive Masterclass video delivered to your inbox to see immediate speaking results.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Final Words

2-minute speeches are short and crisp which can serve as a blessing as you are not required to go too much into detail. You can come up with a 2- minute speech topic either by researching one that fits perfectly with your interests or you can find one online.

The idea is to enjoy giving the speech. And for you to enjoy delivering your speech, it is important for you to first come up with something that excites you and interests you!

Keep following Frantically Speaking for more such short guides to help you with your public speaking and communication skills.

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker

Less is More! Tips to Avoid Overwhelming Your Audience 

What does it mean to Resonate with the Audience- Agreement, Acceptance, Approval

• [email protected]
• +91 98203 57888

Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always

Copyright © 2023 Frantically Speaking All rights reserved

Bejoy Peter's Public Speaking ®

Destroying stage fright since 1996 ®

2 Minute Graduation Speech

Respected Principal, dear colleagues, graduating students and others gathered over here, a warm good morning to one and all.

This is a defining moment in the life of each one graduating from our reputed College of Nursing. You added colour and variety to this institution and I can tell from experience that as a batch you have been really unique.

Not only were you good at academics you proved your mettle in all the co-curricular activities as well. In one word let me tell you, “Well done!”

The time has now come for you step out of this cosy nest and fly on your own. The training and discipline you got from this place will definitely carry you through. And when you feel overwhelmed by challenges know that God will carry you in his everlasting arms spread underneath you.

On behalf of the entire College community I wish you all the best for your career ahead.

At the same time, I would like to leave with you three words. Vision, Hope, and Courage. These three words are like three pillars of strength that will hold you strong throughout your life and career.

First of all, let me talk about vision.

We belong to the great tradition lighted by Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp. It was her vision that gave rise to modern nursing care. This was later given greater breadth and scope in India by people like Dr. Ida Scudder who paved the way for women empowerment and a great institution like CMC Hospital Vellore. You too are part of this vision—the vision of being called to serve.

Carry this vision forward and know that your work will be rewarded someday.

Secondly, let me talk about hope. Each one of you is called to gift hope to people. There is no other group of professionals to whom others look with expectation more than the nursing community. This is because we are the people who bring cheer and hope when everything looks difficult and dark for the patients and their bystanders as well.

Therefore let us never forget to smile and do our work cheerfully even when we are hard pressed on every side.

My final word is courage. Each day would bring us new challenges. You need to remember that all your training here was to equip you to face the challenges of your work bravely. So do not run away from duty, but take up your responsibilities with courage. And if you ask me what courage is, it is not the absence of fear. But it is the ability to do right in spite of whatever is terrifying you.

Therefore be bold even when you are meek, assertive even when you are humble, daring even when all others shrink back in fear.

So my dear graduating students, you now stand on the shore ready to go on a journey into the unknown. Hold on to your vision, gift hope to others along the way and stand with courage in spite of all fear.

I wish you all success. And I hope the day will soon come when others will tell us about you—angels of encouragement, pure in heart and true in deeds—the shining ambassadors of our College community. Yes, dear students, go as angels of encouragement and make this earth a better place for the entire human race. Thank you.

Jesus Is Risen!

Hope Unending

Would You Be Free from the Burden of Sin

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• Speech Writing /

Teacher’s Day Speech in English: 1, 2, and 5-Minute Speech

• Updated on  
• Sep 3, 2024

Teacher’s Day speech in English: Teachers are the unsung heroes of our education system, shaping our minds, nurturing our talents, and inspiring us to reach our full potential. On Teacher’s Day (5th September), we celebrate their invaluable contributions and express our gratitude for their dedication and commitment. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Teacher’s Day , the life and work of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and the importance of honouring our educators.

Table of Contents

• 1 1-minute Teacher’s Day Speech in English
• 2 2-minute Speech on Teachers Day in English
• 3 5-minute Teacher’s Day Speech in English
• 4 Facts about Dr S Radhakrishnan

1-minute Teacher’s Day Speech in English

Also Read: Speech On Girl Child Education

2-minute Speech on Teachers Day in English

Also Read: Speech on Co-Education

5-minute Teacher’s Day Speech in English

Also Read: AI In Education: Speech on AI’s Importance and Benefits

Facts about Dr S Radhakrishnan

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a small village called Tiruttani, in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. He was an excellent student and pursued his education in philosophy at Christian College in Madras (now Chennai). Here are some key facts about Dr S Radhakrishnan that you can include in Teacher’s Day Speech in English:

• He began his career as a professor of philosophy at Madras Presidency College and later taught at the University of Mysore. His remarkable work in Indian philosophy earned him a prestigious position at the University of Calcutta, and he later became the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University .
• He was well-regarded internationally for his work in comparative religion and philosophy. Radhakrishnan was invited to give lectures at Oxford University , where he became the first Indian to hold a professorial chair. He served as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford from 1936 to 1952.
• Dr. Radhakrishnan is renowned for his interpretation of Indian philosophy in a way that was accessible to the Western world. His works on Advaita Vedanta, Indian philosophy, and comparative religion are highly respected. Some of his notable books include “The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore,” “Indian Philosophy,” and “The Hindu View of Life.”
• After a distinguished academic career, Radhakrishnan entered public service. He served as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952, a crucial period during which he strengthened Indo-Soviet relations.
• Radhakrishnan served as the first Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. His tenure as President was marked by his emphasis on education and his efforts to improve the Indian education system .
• Radhakrishnan received numerous awards and honours during his lifetime, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1954. He was also nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Nobel Peace Prize .
• Dr. Radhakrishnan passed away on April 17, 1975, but his legacy continues to inspire educators and students alike. He is remembered as a great philosopher, a distinguished teacher, and a statesman who made significant contributions to the development of education in India.

Read other blogs on Speech Writing here:

Ans: You can start your speech by acknowledging the significance of Teacher’s Day and expressing your gratitude to all the teachers present.

Ans: Here is how you can start a Teacher’s Day Speech in English: “Good morning, everyone. Today, we celebrate Teacher’s Day, a special day to honour the unsung heroes of our education. Let us express our heartfelt appreciation for their dedication, patience, and guidance.”

Ans: “Teachers are the architects of our future. Their unwavering commitment to education inspires us to reach for the stars.”

For more information on such informative topics, visit our speech writing page and follow Leverage Edu.

Ankita Singh

Ankita is a history enthusiast with a few years of experience in academic writing. Her love for literature and history helps her curate engaging and informative content for education blog. When not writing, she finds peace in analysing historical and political anectodes.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Speech for Students

Speech generator for students.

As much as you’ve always excelled in academics, delivering a speech has never been your forte. You just don’t possess the speech skills that some people have. But now you’ve been informed that you’re the class Valedictorian and that you’ll be delivering a simple speech on your graduation day. It can’t be that bad, can it?

Well, you don’t actually have to be the best speech writer to create a good speech. There are various aspects to a good speech in pdf , whether it’s the power brought by your choice of words or you’re ability to stand and deliver a speech.

Student Council Speech

Size: 211 KB

Short Speech for Students

Size: 13 KB

Student Farewell Speech

Size: 389 KB

How Is a Student Speech Different from a Regular Speech?

Students are often asked to deliver a speech in front of the class or even the entire student body. This could be to present, inform, or inspire an audience. A student’s speech is usually meant to be straightforward and simple. They aren’t meant to be complex and they follow the standard structure of speech outline templates.

Why Have Student Speeches?

Students are often encouraged to exercise their freedom of speech. It promotes communication and interaction between individuals. This allows them to express their thoughts and protest against actions properly. A speech can help develop a student’s logical reasoning, and it allows them to ponder on various topics and provide insights on what they have learned. It’s also a way for students to continuously gain confidence in themselves. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples.

Furthermore, a student’s speech is often addressed to fellow students and other members of the academe. With this in mind, it allows the speaker to connect with the audience and build a relationship through the speech being delivered. For instance, in an introduction speech , students can be creative with their way of delivering. This is to give meaning and purpose to the speech instead of it seeming as a lecture.

Student Award Example

Size: 35 KB

Graduation Speech

Size: 136 KB

Inspirational Student Example

Size: 85 KB

How to Conclude a Student Speech

Student speeches vary in type. Some can be inspiring, such as a graduation speech , while others are simply informative. But creating these types of speeches can be tough. You deliver the speech to a group that you encounter on a daily basis, the type of individuals whose attention span is said to be about 10 to 15 minutes long.

There are various speech examples that tell you how to start a speech but there isn’t much attention given on how to end it. It’s important to keep in mind that your last words will linger in the minds of your listeners making it your last opportunity to leave an impact. Here are a few ways for you to do so:

• Tell a brief story . It should illustrate the main points of your speech.
• Summarize key points . This is to remind your audience of the purpose of your speech. There might have been points that your listeners zoned out on, so it’s good to give them a brief run through of what was covered. You may also like steps in speech composition .
• A call to action . Presenting a challenge to an audience will always leave them thinking. Motivate them with encouraging words and a strong energy.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a speech for students on achieving academic success

Help me write a speech for students on the power of perseverance

Watch CBS News

When will the next presidential debate of 2024 take place and who will moderate it?

By Caitlin Yilek

Updated on: September 5, 2024 / 10:53 AM EDT / CBS News

Before President Biden decided to  drop out of the race  for reelection, he and former President Donald Trump had agreed to one more showdown on the debate stage before the  2024 presidential election . 

After Mr. Biden ended his campaign, it was initially unclear whether a debate between Trump and the new Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would take place, but ABC News confirmed both campaigns said  they would participate  in the debate, which is scheduled for next week, on Sept. 10, just a few weeks after Harris formally accepted the nomination. It will be the first time she and Trump meet in person.

When is the second presidential debate?

ABC News is hosting the second presidential debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be the first time Harris and Trump debate each other. 

The debate will be held at the National Constitution Center  in Philadelphia .

The first presidential debate , on June 27, in which Trump faced President Biden in Atlanta, came unusually early  in the election season given that neither candidate had formally received their party's nomination yet. Trump accepted the GOP nomination on July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Harris accepted the Democratic nomination during the party's convention in Chicago on Aug. 22. 

Plans for the ABC debate had been in question after Trump said on Aug. 3 that he was "terminating" it and would do a debate hosted by Fox News on Sept. 4 instead. Harris responded that she would be at the ABC News debate on Sept. 10 and hoped "to see him there." 

Then, at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, Aug. 8, Trump recommitted to the ABC News debate. 

He also proposed two others, with Fox News on Sept. 4 and NBC News on Sept. 25. Harris has not yet agreed to the two additional debates. A Harris campaign spokesperson said Harris is "open to and eager to discuss more debates, but Trump has to show up to the September 10th debate first." The Harris campaign said it would be willing to debate at an unspecified date in October.

Fighting over muted mics 

The Harris campaign agreed on Sept. 4, six days before the debate, to allow microphones to be muted when a candidate isn't speaking, ending a protracted fight that was the final sticking point in negotiations.

In a letter to ABC News, the campaign wrote that Harris would be "fundamentally disadvantaged by this format, which will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President."

"Notwithstanding our concerns, we understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format," the Harris campaign continued. "We do not want to jeopardize the debate."

Trump campaign spokesperson Jason Miller said in a statement, "We are thrilled that  Kamala Harris and her team of Biden campaign leftovers...have finally accepted the already agreed upon rules of the debate that they wrote in the first place."

Earlier, on Aug. 26, Trump seemed to indicate that he would not participate in the ABC News debate, saying that his campaign had agreed to the same rules regarding microphones that were in place for the  first presidential debate , which included muting the mics. 

Harris' team confirmed it did not want to mute the mics while the other candidate was talking and said, "[O]ur understanding is that Trump's handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don't think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own."

Trump said later that day, "We agreed to the same rules. I don't know, doesn't matter to me." 

Who will moderate the next debate?

"World News Tonight" anchor David Muir and ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis will moderate the debate, ABC News said.

Which candidates qualify for the debate?

The qualifications are similar to the first debate, making it unlikely that any  non-major party candidates will meet the ballot access and polling requirements to earn a spot on stage. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was running as an independent, suspended his campaign on Aug. 23 and threw his support behind Trump.

Candidates need to earn at least 15% support in four approved national polls and be on the ballot in enough  states to be able to win 270 votes  in the Electoral College — the threshold to win the presidency — in order to qualify.

How many more debates will there be for 2024?

There are no other presidential debates scheduled before the election at this point. The campaigns previously  agreed to only two debates — the one hosted by CNN on June 27 and the other by ABC News on Sept. 10. Trump has proposed two more, but the Harris campaign has not agreed, instead saying it would evaluate a second debate in October after the first meeting.

CBS News has also invited the campaigns to participate in a vice presidential debate on Oct. 1 , and both the Democrat, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and the Republican, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have accepted.

The candidates have  bypassed the tradition of three debates organized by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which had overseen presidential debates since 1988. The commission's three debates were scheduled to take place in September and October at universities in Texas, Virginia and Utah. Instead, this year's debates were agreed upon without any involvement by the commission.

The commission was met with sharp criticism by both Trump — who has accused the commission of being biased against Republicans — and by close advisers to Mr. Biden, who view commission procedures as outmoded and fussy. The co-chair of the commission, Frank Fahrenkopf, told CBS News' podcast "The Takeout" that top White House communications adviser Anita Dunn "doesn't like us," and he said on a Politico podcast that this was the reason Mr. Biden's team went around the commission to negotiate directly with Trump's campaign.

Ed O'Keefe contributed to this report.

• Presidential Debate
• Kamala Harris
• Donald Trump
• 2024 Elections

Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

More from CBS News

Trump says he'd put Elon Musk at helm of proposed agency "if he has the time"

Evangelical leader pitches Trump to followers as divinely chosen to lead country

Trump campaign must stop using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit from family

U.S. accuses Russia of sprawling election interference, seizes dozens of sites

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

12 misleading or lacking-in-context claims from Harris’ DNC speech

Domenico Montanaro

Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, made 12 misleading or lacking-in-context statements during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last week. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

There were about a dozen statements that Vice President Kamala Harris made during her roughly 40-minute acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that were either misleading or lacking in context.

They range from characterizations of former President Trump’s stances on abortion rights and Social Security to her plans to address housing and grocery prices.

It’s the role of the press to try and hold politicians to account for the accuracy of their statements in a good-faith way. The dozen Harris statements lacking in context are far less in comparison to 162 misstatements, exaggerations and outright lies that NPR found from Trump’s hour-long news conference Aug. 8.

Nonetheless, here’s what we found from Harris’ convention speech:

1. “His explicit intent to jail journalists, political opponents, and anyone he sees as the enemy.” 

Trump has promised retribution against his political enemies, has called reporters “the enemy of the people,” and has made vague threats of jail time for reporters.

“They’ll never find out, & it’s important that they do,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform after the leak of a draft of the Dobbs decision was published. “So, go to the reporter & ask him/her who it was. If not given the answer, put whoever in jail until the answer is given. You might add the editor and publisher to the list.”

He’s made other such comments, but there’s no explicit and specific policy from Trump on this because, as with many things involving Trump, he has been vague about his specific intentions.

2. “[W]e know and we know what a second Trump term would look like. It's all laid out in Project 2025, written by his closest advisers. And its sum total is to pull our country back to the past.” 

Project 2025 is the work of people with close ties to Trump through the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed parts of Project 2025, and a campaign official called it a “ pain in the ass .” There’s good political reason for that. Many of the detailed proposals are highly controversial and unpopular. The website for Project 2025 lays out some of the connections to the Trump administration in black and white, as well as the group’s belief that a Trump administration will use it as a blueprint:“The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is being organized by the Heritage Foundation and builds off Heritage’s longstanding ‘Mandate for Leadership,’ which has been highly influential for presidential administrations since the Reagan era. Most recently, the Trump administration relied heavily on Heritage’s “Mandate” for policy guidance, embracing nearly two-thirds of Heritage’s proposals within just one year in office.

“ Paul Dans , former chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) during the Trump administration, serves as the director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. Spencer Chretien , former special assistant to the president and associate director of Presidential Personnel, serves as associate director of the project.”

In fact, CNN reported that “at least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration had a hand in Project 2025,” including his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and adviser Stephen Miller.

What’s more, CBS News found at least 270 policy proposals that intersect with the about 700 laid out in Project 2025.

3. “We're not going back to when Donald Trump tried to cut Social Security and Medicare.” 

Former President Trump has pledged not to cut Social Security, the popular retirement program. While he was in office, Trump did try, unsuccessfully, to cut benefits for people who receive disability payments from Social Security.

Social Security benefits could be cut within a decade anyway, unless Congress takes steps to shore up the program. With tens of millions of baby boomers retiring and starting to draw benefits, and fewer people in the workforce paying taxes for each retiree, Social Security is expected to run short of cash in 2033. If that happens, almost 60 million retirees and their families would automatically see their benefits cut by 21%.

The problem could be solved by raising taxes, reducing benefits or some combination of the two. – Scott Horsley, NPR chief economics correspondent

4. “We are not going to let him end programs like Head Start that provide preschool and childcare for our children in America.”

This is again tied to Project 2025, but not something Trump has specifically talked about. Trump has talked about shutting down the Department of Education, but Head Start is funded through the Department of Health and Human Services.

5. “[A]s president, I will bring together labor and workers and small-business owners and entrepreneurs and American companies to create jobs to grow our economy and to lower the cost of everyday needs like healthcare and housing and groceries.”

High supermarket prices are a common complaint. Although grocery prices have largely leveled off, rising just 1.1% in the 12 months ending in July, they jumped 3.6% the previous year and a whopping 13.1% the year before that. Vice President Harris has proposed combating high grocery prices with a federal ban on “price gouging,” but her campaign has offered no specifics on how that would work or what would constitute excessive prices. The Biden-Harris administration has previously blamed some highly concentrated parts of the food chain – such as meat-packers – for driving up prices. The administration has tried to promote more competition in the industry by bankrolling new players. – Scott Horsley

6. “And we will end America's housing shortage.”

The U.S. faces a serious shortage of housing, which has led to high costs. The average home sold last month for $422,600. Last week, Harris proposed several steps to encourage construction of additional housing, including tax breaks intended to promote 3 million new units in four years. (For context, the U.S. is currently building about 1.5 million homes per year, including just over a million single family homes.) Harris has also proposed $25,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers and a $40 billion fund to help communities develop affordable housing. She has not said where the money for these programs would come from. – Scott Horsley

7. “He doesn't actually fight for the middle class. Instead, he fights for himself and his billionaire friends. And he will give them another round of tax breaks that will add up to $5 trillion to the national debt.”

While the 2017 tax cuts were skewed to the wealthy , it did cut taxes across the board.

Large parts of that tax cut are due to expire next year. Trump has proposed extending all of them, and while also calling for additional, unspecified tax cuts. Harris has proposed extending the tax cuts for everyone making less than $400,000 a year (97% of the population) while raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the IRS has also beefed up tax enforcement to ensure that wealthier people and businesses pay what they owe. GOP lawmakers have criticized that effort, and it would likely be reversed in a second Trump administration. Both Harris and Trump have proposed exempting tips from taxation. While popular with workers in the swing state of Nevada, where many people work in tip-heavy industries like casinos, the idea has serious problems. Unless the lost tax revenue were replaced somehow, it would create an even bigger budget deficit. It would treat one class of workers (tipped employees) differently from all other workers. And it would invite gamesmanship as other workers tried to have part of their own income reclassified as tax-free tips. Depending on how the exemptions were structured, it could also result in lower retirement benefits for tipped workers. – Scott Horsley

8. “And all the while he intends to enact what, in effect, is a national sales tax? Call it a Trump tax that would raise prices on middle class families by almost $4,000 a year.”

This appears to be a reference to tariffs. Donald Trump raised tariffs sharply while he was in office, and he’s pledged to go further if he returns to the White House. During his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, washing machines, solar panels and numerous products from China. Many trading partners retaliated, slapping tariffs of their own on U.S. exports. Farmers and manufacturers suffered.

Despite the fallout, the Biden/Harris administration has left most of the Trump tariffs in place, while adding its own, additional levies on targeted goods from China such as electric vehicles. In a second term, Trump has proposed adding a 10% tariff on all imports, with a much higher levy on all Chinese goods. Researchers at the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimate such import taxes would cost the average family $1,700 a year. – Scott Horsley

9. “This is what's happening in our country because of Donald Trump. And understand he is not done as a part of his agenda. He and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion, and enact a nationwide abortion ban with or without Congress. And get this, get this – he plans to create a national anti-abortion coordinator and force states to report on women's miscarriages and abortions.”

It is accurate to point out that the lack of abortion access across the country for millions of women particularly in the South is directly because of Trump and his decision to appoint three conservative justices to the Supreme Court who voted to overturn Roe . As president, he sided with employers , who for religious or moral reasons, didn’t want to pay for contraception, as he tried to change the mandate that contraception be paid for under the Affordable Care Act.

But it’s unclear what Trump will do again as president. He has made conflicting comments about access to contraception. Harris’s charges about an “agenda” again seem to be based on the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 . It would be accurate to warn that it’s possible, if not likely, Trump would take up the recommendations given that people close to Trump were instrumental in writing it and given that in his first term as president, he adopted many of the Heritage Foundation’s recommendations. But it’s not entirely accurate to say “he plans to create” these things when Trump himself and his campaign have not advocated for this. Trump himself has said that abortion should be left up to the states – and insisted that he doesn’t support a national ban.

10. “With this election, we finally have the opportunity to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.”

This is another one of those traps politicians fall into – overpromising when it’s not something they can control. Harris needs Congress to do this, and her winning the presidency does not guarantee that any of what she wants done legislatively will get done, even if Democrats take control of both chambers.

11. “Last year, Joe and I brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades.”

While Donald Trump stood in the way of this bill passing, and it had been written with conservative Republicans, it’s not accurate to say this was the “strongest border bill in decades” unless you count 11 years as decades. The 2013 comprehensive immigration overhaul that got 68 votes in the Senate and was killed by the GOP House, did far more than this bill did.

12. “He encouraged Putin to invade our allies, said Russia could quote, do whatever the hell they want.”

While an alarming thing for an American president to say about a NATO ally, this is lacking in some context. Trump said he would say Russia could “do whatever the hell it wanted” – and Trump would not defend an ally – if that country didn’t “pay.” Trump continues to get wrong, however, that no countries in the alliance “pay” anything to anyone except themselves. What Trump is talking about is NATO countries’ goals of funding their own defense to 2% of their gross domestic product. But not defending a country from a hostile invasion would violate Article 5 of the 1949 treaty that binds the countries in battle and was created as a way to thwart any potential efforts by the former Soviet Union to expand beyond its borders.

It reads : “[I]f a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked.”

It has been invoked once: After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S.

• Vice President Kamala Harris

In the News

• Israel-Hamas War Live Updates
• Hostage Deal
• RJC - Trump
• Hezbollah Drones
• Hamas Atrocities
• Polio - Gaza
• Israeli Hostages
• Israelis Dead

Netanyahu's Map Shows Israel 'From the River to the Sea.' It's No Accident

During Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 'Philadelphi' speech, there was another message that few noticed, though it was not at all hidden

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the airwaves this week to justify his decision to avoid a hostage release and cease-fire deal. In two press conferences in Hebrew and in English, Netanyahu made his most recent case for rejecting an agreement, which cost the lives of six precious hostages.

Kahane's Spirit of Jewish Supremacy Lives on – in Mainstream Israel

Tracking israel's transition from a functioning democracy to a sick dictatorship, a new orleans-israeli mélange that made this chef whole again, thousands protest across israel for gaza hostage release deal, israel police investigates palestinian detainee's allegation of sexual abuse in prison, learn how to optimize your home solar system, why a jewish writer canceled by the progressive left is leaving america, top psychiatrist working with october 7 victims has a warning for israel, kamala harris fuels a beautifully heretical view of the world, money has dried up, and israeli startups are folding one after another, after iran steals sensitive israeli data, israel tries to censor the internet, israel will collapse within a year if the war against hamas and hezbollah continues.

site categories

‘chicago p.d.’ casts shawn hatosy as recurring in season 12, breaking news.

“America, I Gave My Best To You”: Joe Biden Delivers Fiery Farewell To DNC, Praising Kamala Harris & Slamming “Loser” Donald Trump

By Dominic Patten , Ted Johnson

“America, I love you,” declared President Joe Biden tonight in his keynote speech at the first night of the Democratic National Convention as delegates from across the land cheered “We love Joe!” over and over.

Even with his constant evocation of Irish poetry over the decades, Biden has never been anyone’s idea of a great orator. However, on Monday, the 46 th President of the United States gave one of the best speeches of his long stint in public life.

Related Stories

Doug Emhoff Set To Appear On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Donald Trump Attacks ABC As Biased For Kamala Harris, Claims Dana Walden Will Provide Debate Questions In Advance Ahead Of Next Week's Face-Off With VP

Watch on deadline.

Quoting Norah Jones’ “American Anthem” song, Biden recited “America, America, I gave my best to you.”

“I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” the president continued as an almost chorus. “For 50 years, like many of you, I gave my heart and soul to our nation, and I have been blessed a million times in return with the support of the American people,” Biden added to a suddenly near silent arena. “I may have been too young to be in the Senate, because I wasn’t 30 yet, and too old to stay as president,” he went on, to sounds of near shock at his bluntness. “But I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you.”

As the convention thundered for Biden at the end of his just over 45-minute speech, Vice President and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff came on-stage with the president’s family. The 2024 nominee could clearly been seen telling the 2020 nominee that she loved him as the two hugged.

It didn’t really matter.

Playing to those at home and on the go more than those in Chicago’s United Center, the 81-year-old Biden was in a fighting spirit that we haven’t seen since the State of the Union earlier this year. In fact, you could say the gist of this speech was the state of the Biden-Harris administration. According to the president, it was in a very good state and good hands.

No wonder Harris was smiling as the man who wants to be her predecessor heaped acclaim on his party’s new standard bearer and the “47 th President of the United States.” Beside calling his choice of Harris to be his running mate in 2020 “the best decision of my whole career,” the aside of “thank you Kamala” from Biden to chants of “thank you Joe!” was a spontaneous moment that said it all.

In a scene unseen in America since career politician Lyndon Baines Johnson withdrew from the 1968 race, career politician Joe Biden tonight figuratively handed over power in the pursuit of defeating a long-time foe. Unlike LBJ, who never showed his face at the chaotic ’68 DNC and was listless in his support of his VP Hubert Humphrey’s pursuit of the White House, Biden basked in love and respect from his party.

With a constant chorus of “Thank You Joe!” the DNC’s opening night and intimate words from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and First Daughter Ashley Biden, the President was preceded over Monday evening by a tribute to Civil Rights leaders and trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, an array of governors, senators, congressmen and congresswoman.

For a newly streamlined party that has stressed discipline over the change of nominees, it got flabby with too many speeches from too many politicians we see every day. James Taylor ( but not Taylor Swift ) was set to play but ended up getting bounced because of runaway program. The film that extolled documentary director Dawn Porter made as part of a Biden tribute was pushed off the schedule too to make up time — though both POTUS and VPOTUS put the 11 minute effort up on social media on Monday.

We love you, Joe. https://t.co/Gslgi6uaZx — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 20, 2024

More importantly, the overflow of speakers took President Biden out of primetime with POTUS not taking the stage until 11:26 pm ET.

Then again, from the “We love you Joe!” roar of the on the feet Democrats when consummate retail pol Biden did step up to the microphone, it sure sounded like they could have gone all night.

It was a remarkable shift from just over a month ago when Biden was insisting he was staying in the race despite POTUS’s disastrous and sometimes painful debate performance against Trump on June 27 on CNN .

After loyal donors like Watchmen boss Damon Lindelof, in a Deadline exclusive, and George Clooney started withholding checks, party insiders like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi moving the chess pieces in the background, the writing was on the wall for Biden. Even with crashing numbers, only a fool would think that the president planned to drop out before hosting the NATO Summit in D.C. in early July. After a press conference of ups and downs on July 11 at the end of the summit, Biden suddenly revealed on Sunday July 21 that he was stepping aside . Minutes later POTUS endorsed VPOTUS for the Democrats’ nomination, which the California native clinched within less than 36 hours.

Also on stage at the DNC on Monday night were singers Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell and various labor leaders. Tellingly, Teamsters boss Sean O’Brien, who spoke to mixed results at the hard-nosed GOP convention last month, was not among those at the lectern on Monday.

Freedom. https://t.co/Kl5V59ZUtb — Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) August 20, 2024

On the other hand, with Beyoncé’s Freedom as the soundtrack, Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright was the voice of a short ‘For The People’ video played on the jumbotrons as the VP herself strode on-stage for a not-so surprise visit . “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership,” Harris said of POTUS to cheers from the crowd. “We are forever grateful to you,” the VP added in a short handheld microphone speech that was as subtext heavy as it was tossing blue meat to the base.

Soon afterwards, the VP was seated in the VIP section of the convention with running mate Tim Walz watching the rest of the night’s proceedings.

Hot off a Gold Medal win at the Paris Olympics for Team USA and quoting Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the audience too later, on a night MC’d by Scandal star and fictional POTUS Tony Goldwyn.

In pre-primetime CNN, ex-Speaker Pelosi advocated for Harris to Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, while not so deftly sidestepping her role in Biden’s exit. At the same time, Shark Tank vet and failed Canadian conservative leadership contender Kevin O’Leary joined Fox News ’ Jesse Watters to bash Harris and the Dems. The Rupert Murdoch-owned FNC paraded footage of anti-Gaza War protesters outside the Chicago convention with lower thirds of so-called Dem “Elites” cowering inside. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor and VP nominee hopeful Josh Shapiro and House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries were seemingly everywhere but Fox News, talking up the Harris and Tim Walz ticket.

Speaking of the Minnesota Governor, at around 5:40 pm PT, CNN and MSNBC went split screen on Walz being in the United Center a.k.a. the house that Michael Jordan built.

In the form of Hilary Clinton, a crowd-pleasing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a serrated Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the Democrats’ past and future addressed the thousands of delegates on Monday too. First up for the network’s primetime coverage of the DNC, the ex-First Lady, former Secretary of State and 2016 nominee received thunderous applause from the over 20,000 in the United Center, many of whom voted for her as the first woman nominated for president by a major political party.

The final hour of the convention each night is the one that is most important, as broadcast networks join cable and streaming counterparts in telecasting the proceedings. For the final hour of this first night, Democrats made a strategic choice look back and look forward. Clinton, who finished her speech during the hour, was a reminder of eight years, but then she said, “We kept our eyes on the future. Well, my friends, the future is here.” 

“Hello America, welcome to the democracy convention, the freedom convention,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), evoking the more erudite term favored by Biden and the more emotional-tugging word used by Harris.

From the local representatives to the national players to 2016 popular vote winner Clinton and, of course, Joe Biden, everybody took sharp swing after swing at the Republicans’ ominous Project 2025 and “reality TV personality” Trump.  What was telling was how there were many more remarks on Harris and her record, proving a solid take for the party.

The DNC goes until August 22 when Vice President Harris will give her acceptance speech. Deadline is on the scene and in the United Center.

Must Read Stories

Amy adams to star in comedy ‘lazy susans’ in works at 20th century studios.

‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ To End With 12-Episode Season 5 On Fox

Keke palmer leads ‘the ‘burbs’ series remake of cult pic; macfarlane & grazer ep, melissa mccarthy & clive owen lead jonbenét ramsey limited series at paramount+, read more about:, subscribe to deadline.

Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.

22 Comments

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.