Valedictorian Speech (Small Snippet)Sally X.

Dear Students of the Graduating Class of --, thank you for this opportunity to speak to you as a whole. These days have passed by much too quickly, it’s almost impossible to believe that we’ll be in high school the next time we step into a classroom.

Before I begin, I’d like to thank all the parents and guardians for putting up with me tonight; without the support of our families, none of us would have come this far. I would also like to thank the entire faculty at --- for giving us each a piece of something to take into high school; considering what they pay most of you, I probably can’t thank you enough.

Most of us will probably be able relate to this next quote, in one situation or another. Cynthia Heimel said, “When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth.” Anyone who saw me at our previous dance would understand.

When we first came to this school, we were skeptical. All of us had been pulled out of our comfort zones and pushed into a completely new environment, with new rules, new teachers, and new peers. Some of us realized right away that things would be different and tried to adapt to these new surroundings, while others clung to their old values and stubbornly refused to let go. In time, we progressed as individuals to form a unified community.

However, for tonight, it doesn’t matter whether you accepted everyone with beaming openness or rejected them with a sarcastic brush-off; for tonight, we are here to graduate as a united whole.

(Insert several paragraphs of me expressing heartfelt gratitude towards everyone)

Parents, invited guests, teachers, and students of the Graduating Class of ’07, thank you for listening attentively. Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.