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David Foster Wallace, Ellen Degeneres, Aaron Sorkin, Barack Obama and Conan O'Brien share tips on how to succeed. Plus a very inspiring speech from Ray Bradberry.
There is a wonderful tradition in the West where every year college graduates are honored and on their graduation day listen to the words of successful people who give very inspiring speeches about choosing a career and achieving success.
You probably saw Steve Jobs' speech at one of these graduations, dissected into quotes. JK Rowling, Meryl Streep, Jeff Bazos and many, many others gave the same speeches.
I have prepared a selection of 5 similar speeches in which David Foster Wallace, Ellen Degeneres, Aaron Sorkin, Barack Obama and Conan O'Brien try to convey a lively and vibrant message to young people.
David Foster Wallace addressed his speech to the 2005 Kenyon College graduates. That speech revealed his exceptional, powerful and lively mind, lifting the curtain on the life of David Foster Wallace, a story of his successes and tragedies. After David took his own life in 2008, many of his words took a completely different turn.
“It’s very difficult to concentrate and not give in to the internal monologue that constantly sounds in your head. Twenty years after my own graduation, I finally realized that the liberal arts cliché about learning to think is actually deeper and more serious than I thought: learning to think means exercising control over how and what you think. you think. That is, learning to be sensible and knowledgeable enough to consciously choose what is worth attention and how to extract meaning from experience. Because if you can't learn to make these kinds of choices as an adult, then life will seriously screw you up. Remember that hackneyed expression that says: “The mind is the best servant and the worst master.”
The entire speech can be read in Russian and English.
In 2009, famous TV presenter Ellen Degeneres gave a speech at Tulane University in New Orleans to students who began their studies just 2 days before the terrible Hurricane Katrina. They were inspired by the emotional performance, full of wit and sincerity.
“As you get older, you realize that the definition of success changes with age. For most of you today, success is downing 20 shots of tequila. For me, the more important thing is the opportunity to live your life honestly and not be under pressure all the time, not trying to do what you don’t want to do. Live as an honest and compassionate person, contribute to some cause. In conclusion, I would like to say: follow your passion, stay true to yourself. Never follow a path trodden by someone, unless you find yourself in a deep forest, you are lost, and this path is your only salvation.”
A video of Ellen's speech with Russian subtitles can be viewed at link.
Aaron Sorkin gave a speech to graduates of Syracuse University recently, on May 13, 2012. He addressed former students with equal parts wisdom, wit and disarming sincerity. He drew attention to very important problems, which over the years have somewhat downplayed their scale, but still remain very significant.
“Make your own compass and trust it. Take risks, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, remember, the one who first cuts a hole in the wall always gets in trouble.”
“I'm just saying that we're lowering our expectations of each other more and more, and that has to change. Your friends, your family, this school expects more from you than professional success in your major.”
Philosopher Daniel Dennett once offered his key to the secret of happiness: “Find something more important than yourself and devote your life to it.” In his commencement address to the University's 2008 graduates, Wesleyan played on this idea quite elegantly: “The salvation of each of us individually depends on the salvation of the whole. If your thoughts are focused only on yourself and you encourage your immediate desires and needs, then in this way you betray people who are much more in need.”
“In times of doubt and reflection, I hope you will not forget that there is nothing naive about the impulsive desire to change the world. The world is changed by isolated cases.”
“You don’t have to do something crazy like run for president to make a difference. Some of you have already signed up for volunteer programs at nearby schools and universities, and others have signed up for a fund to deliver fresh produce to families in need.”
“Change will not come easy. You will have to sacrifice something, face difficult choices and accept the unpleasant truth with an open mind.”
In 2011, Dartmouth College welcomed the famous TV presenter Conan O'Brien during graduation. Many considered his speech one of the most powerful and inspiring. The text of the entire speech in English can be read. Or watch the video below.
“For years in show business, every comedian's ultimate goal was to get his 'The Late Night Show.' This is the Holy Grail that I thought would define me as a successful person if I achieved it. But this is not true. Personality is not determined by career achievements, you must understand this too. In 2000, I told graduates not to be afraid to fail, and I still think so. But today I would like to add, whether you are afraid or not, one day you will still be disappointed. With disappointment comes clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true uniqueness. And that's wonderful."
After a long winter, the first rays of the spring sun playing on the roofs of houses and transparent window panes are especially pleasing. Clear skies are filled with ringing bird voices, and the first leaves bloom on the trees, filling the air with the unique aroma of fresh greenery. In addition, for schoolchildren, the onset of spring means that the end of the school year and the long-awaited summer holidays are just around the corner. However, before this, all domestic schools will host the Last Bell - a traditional holiday with a solemn assembly, speeches by representatives of the city administration, graduates of grades 9 and 11 and their parents. As a rule, for this important event, students of different classes learn songs and poems as gifts to their favorite teachers, and graduates prepare to dance their farewell school waltz at the Last Bell. A touching speech at the Last Bell from the school principal and class teacher evokes a whole storm of emotions in the souls of “yesterday’s” schoolchildren, who are now entering adulthood. So, we have prepared the best versions of the speech at the Last Bell in poetry and prose (texts and videos), which can be included in the script of the “main” school holiday or add your own notes.
Thank you speech for the Last Call from parents of 11th grade students to teachers - options in poetry and prose
For parents of 11th grade graduates, the Last Bell is an important and exciting event. Indeed, during the ceremonial assembly, many mothers and fathers feel proud of their adult children, who will very soon leave the walls of their home school and become students at various educational institutions. In a solemn and heartfelt speech at the Last Bell, parents express words of gratitude to the first teacher, class teacher and other teachers who invested knowledge and a piece of their soul into the students. Here you will find options for a thank you speech in poetry and prose from parents of 11th grade students for teachers. Use our texts when composing a solemn speech that will touch everyone present at the Last Bell.
Options for a thank you speech in honor of the Last Bell - for teachers from parents of 11th grade graduates, poetry and prose:
You taught our children
Many long, long years
The last call has come,
And there are no more lessons,
We, parents, wish
Happiness to all teachers,
Let it not be in your life
Grief, pain and problems,
We say thank you
For care and work,
They gave knowledge to our children,
Let them find their way!
Today is a holiday for a large and friendly family, because school is the initial and bright stage in the lives of our children. We, parents, are grateful to teachers for becoming the same parents to our children, their friends and mentors. Let the last bell ring! For some, this is a joy, because a hot summer is ahead. For many, this means sadness and farewell to school. We are grateful to the teachers! After all, their smile met and saw off our kids, for many years their hand led our children to new knowledge and heights. Thank you for that. Happy Last Bell!
The last bell rang,
Who rejoiced, who roared,
The teachers will wipe away the tears,
That's how the paths diverged.
We express our gratitude
We appreciate, love, adore you,
After all, we taught our children,
Let's bow, say thank you,
For knowledge, skills,
Our respect to you!
Touching speech in prose from parents of 9th grade at the Last Bell
School years fly by unnoticed, and now yesterday’s first-graders have “turned” into 9th grade students. So, for some ninth-graders, this year the school bell will indeed ring for the last time, because ahead of them is admission to college, technical school or college. For those who decide to continue their studies at school, the ceremonial line in honor of the Last Bell only means the end of the next school year. Be that as it may, parents congratulate their children on graduating from 9th grade, wishing them success in their studies and further achievements in life. In addition, in their solemn speech at the Last Bell, mothers and fathers do not forget to express gratitude to school teachers for their everyday and such important work. How to prepare a beautiful speech for the Last Call? We bring to your attention the best examples of speech for an event in honor of the Last Bell - the best touching texts from parents to teachers and graduates.
Examples of a touching speech in your own words in honor of the Last Bell - for teachers and students of grade 9:
9 wonderful years have flown by, which will forever remain in our memories just like the guys. Anything could happen, not everything turned out smoothly. But we knew for sure that they would listen to us here, help us, and support us. Dear teachers, administration, all specialists of the friendly school team, thank you for our children. Gratitude for your work is difficult to express in words and just as difficult to appreciate. We wish your and our school only good luck, success and prosperity. Thanks again!
You have already come a long way in your school life. For some of you, today is really the last school bell, and adult worries lie ahead. We wish them to achieve their goal and get the desired profession. And for some, there are only a couple of school years left before the coveted certificate. We wish you a good rest during the holidays - and forward to battle, gaining new knowledge. After all, you shouldn’t relax; a large number of formulas, tasks, and works of art await you. We express special gratitude to the teachers. Thank you for investing your knowledge and soul into our children. Your work is invaluable! Heartfelt thanks!
The last bell has rung! The results of the next academic year have been summed up. Our children spent nine years shoulder to shoulder with each other. Now someone will leave to conquer new horizons, and someone will sit at their home desk for a couple of years. We wish you to find yourself, find your purpose and decide on the place you want to occupy in this world. I wish you success, good luck, ease and great achievements!
A beautiful speech on the Last Call from graduates in prose - to parents and teachers
The last bell is a touching and slightly sad holiday, long remembered by graduates, their parents and teachers. So, for boys in formal suits and girls in touching brown dresses with white aprons, all this is the last time - the ceremonial ceremony, the parting words of teachers, and the ringing trill of the school bell. In turn, graduates prepare beautiful solemn speeches for the Last Bell addressed to their beloved teachers, who over the years have become truly family and friends. As a rule, for such a speech they choose a “speaker” - a graduate with good diction, who, on behalf of all “yesterday’s” schoolchildren, delivers a speech of gratitude in prose or poetry. In our selection you will find several original texts of speeches for the Last Call - they can be used as a template when composing a speech for teachers and parents.
Template texts for ceremonial speeches in prose for the Last Bell from graduates for parents and teachers:
Today we are graduates, all doors and all paths are open to us. And we have to make a difficult choice in favor of one profession or another. But no matter how our future life turns out, we will never forget our native school and our beloved teachers. After all, everything we achieve in life will be only thanks to you and the knowledge you gave us. Today the last bell will ring for us, and its ringing will remain in our hearts forever, just like you and your lessons. Even if our relationship was not always smooth, even if we sometimes misunderstood each other. But we always found a compromise and a way out of difficult situations. We learned a lot from you, and understood a lot about life thanks to you. Thank you for this, because school is the first serious exam in life.
Dear our teachers! We, graduates, want to thank you for your work. To say thank you for giving us knowledge, and with it a “start” to adulthood. Today we will become “free” people, because we will become more mature. But this will give us responsibilities, because we have to become more responsible and independent. Now we have no one to rely on, nowhere to wait for clues. Now all responsibility for the correctness of the decision rests only with us. But we believe that we can withstand all this and pass the exam of life with flying colors. And all because we had the best teachers in the world, our favorite teachers!
Our beloved parents! Dear mothers and fathers, irreplaceable grandparents, dear aunts and uncles! Today is the important day for us to say goodbye to school and enter a new stage of life. We are grateful to you not only for being there at such an important moment, but also for leading us through life all these years. We know that at times it was not easy for you, but you steadfastly and courageously overcame all obstacles, hiding your children behind a safe back.
Parting speech of the class teacher at the Last Bell in grades 9 and 11 - in poetry and prose
Many adults often remember their class teacher with warmth. And it’s not surprising, because it is this person who occupies a special place in the life of every schoolchild - sometimes on a par with mothers and fathers. When graduating their students from their home school, each class teacher feels a sense of pride and concern for their future fate. According to tradition, in the parting speech at the Last Bell from the “cool mom”, students in grades 9 and 11 receive a lot of good wishes - achieving their goals, success in their careers and happiness in their personal lives. To prepare for a speech at the assembly dedicated to the Last Bell, we recommend using our examples of speech in poetry and prose on behalf of the class teacher.
The best examples of a parting speech for the Last Bell from the class teacher - poetry and prose for graduates of grades 9 and 11:
I am finishing 11th grade for the second time in my life. I remember how I stood and listened to the parting words of my class teacher, and did not even suspect that many years would pass and I would finish 11th grade again, only not as a graduate, but as a class teacher. My role has changed, but my feelings haven’t changed at all! I have a feeling that there is no you and me... there is WE! There is one big soul. I really want you to keep the warmest memories of school!
Don't be afraid of obstacles and difficult tasks,
Live for success and bright successes!
Learn, comprehend, get carried away, dare
And learn everything that is useful for life!
Let the sail of love not wander in the darkness,
Look for your soul mate on earth!
Dream, be surprised and please your friends,
Remain a light and happiness for your loved ones!
Always remember that you are unique, talented, cheerful, kind, worthy people! Be confident! Achieve the goals you set for yourself!
A heartfelt speech at the Last Bell from the school principal
The principal’s speech with a solemn speech has long become a good tradition at the school-wide assembly dedicated to the Last Bell. Every year, the school principal congratulates graduates of grades 9 and 11 on the beginning of their new adult lives, expressing in his speech his best wishes and words of encouragement. In order for the Last Bell to be remembered by all those present as an amazing and vibrant event, it is important to deviate from “standard” phrases and fill your speech with soulful warmth and sincerity. Thus, the words of the director that each of the graduates, be it an “A” student or a “C” student, is an amazing and worthy person worthy of respect will certainly arouse the listeners’ attention and “live” interest. We are confident that the speech options we have proposed for the Last Bell will find a sincere response from graduates, parents and the entire teaching staff of the school.
Options for the school principal’s speech at the Last Bell for graduates of grades 9 and 11:
We are very proud that you studied here, at this school. You have become family to us. We hope that you also fell in love with this house and will miss it. And we will be very glad if at least sometimes you come back here for a short time to talk about how your life is going, about your plans and dreams. The school doors will always be open for you.
Now you are listening to the last school bell ringing. And for some, it will sound for the first time in the fall... The flight of time is faster than the flight of a swallow! Please accept congratulations and wishes from us - to successfully pass your exams, go to the prom like in a fairy tale, have an unforgettable summer and choose the right path in life that leads to happiness!
Congratulations on your graduation from school and we wish that the road to adulthood goes through a blooming garden, so that the carriage of life easily and happily carries you along the path of life, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties. Let everyone you need be nearby. Good luck and prosperity to you!
Solemn speech at the Last Bell - from the city administration, video
It is customary to invite representatives of the city, district or village administration as guests of honor to the ceremony dedicated to the Last Bell. Addressing the audience, officials express gratitude to the teaching staff of the school for the work done to educate the new generation, and congratulations to the graduates on this important life event. The ceremonial speech of the head of the city administration, presented in the video, can be included in the script for the upcoming Last Bell for any secondary school. Happy holiday, dear graduates!
How to prepare a solemn speech for the Last Call? On our pages you will find different text options and video speeches at the Last Bell - from graduates of grades 9 and 11 and their parents, class teacher and school principal, and a representative of the city administration. Wishing you touching speeches and grateful listeners!
Many foreign universities have a tradition of inviting famous people to present their diplomas, who should guide and inspire the graduates. And very often famous people tell graduates about their failures - perhaps because it is failures that yesterday's students fear the most. JK Rowling, Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg explain why you don't need to be afraid.
For those preparing for the main school exam
JK Rowling, writer
This year, 51-year-old JK Rowling is among the top 25 most influential authors in Hollywood according to The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Twenty years ago, before Bloomsbury published the first Harry Potter book in 1997, she was an unknown single mother living on welfare benefits and irregular earnings.
“Seven years after my graduation, I was by any measure the worst failure. My marriage broke up, I was left alone with a child, without work and money. I'm not going to try to convince you that failure is healthy. That period of my life was the darkest period, and I could never imagine that it would turn out to be a fairy tale with a happy ending, as they write in the newspapers now. But failure freed me - my main fear had already come true, while I was alive, I had a beloved daughter, an old typewriter and many ideas. If I had been successful in something else, I might never have had the courage to do what I truly love.
It is impossible to avoid failure unless you live so carefully that it can hardly be called life at all. True, in this case you fail by definition.”
Steven Spielberg, film director
One of the most successful directors in history received a higher education diploma only in 2002, when he was already 55 years old. In his youth, he twice tried to enter a California film school, but was not accepted, calling him “mediocre.” Then he enrolled in a technical college, which he soon dropped out of to accept his “dream job” at Universal Studios. Five years later, the thriller Jaws was released, which made Spielberg famous.
“I left college because I knew exactly what I wanted, just like some of you. Maybe you're sitting there right now trying to figure out how to tell your parents that what you really want to do is become a doctor, not a humor writer. I told my parents that if the movie didn't work out, I would go back to university. But everything worked out great.
For the first 25 years of our lives, we are taught to listen to other people's voices. Parents and teachers fill our heads with wise things and information, and then their places are taken by bosses who tell us how the world really works. And even when we think: “I look at the world completely differently,” it’s still easier to just agree and nod.
The films I made up until the 1980s were mostly far from reality. I was in a bubble because I lacked education, my worldview was limited to what I could come up with in my head, not my life experiences. And then I made The Color Purple Fields. This story was filled with deep pain and deep truth, such as when Shag Avery says, “Everything in the world wants to be loved.” Making this film, I realized that cinema can be a mission. I hope that each of you will experience this feeling."
Steve Jobs, entrepreneur
In 1976, 20-year-old Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple in his parents' garage. Within 10 years, the enterprise had grown into a two billion dollar company employing more than six thousand people. Among them was marketer John Sculley, who took over Apple at the invitation of Jobs. Over time, their views on the future diverged, the board of directors supported Sculley, and Steve Jobs had to leave Apple.
“At the age of 30, I was noisily fired from the company that I founded. Everything I had dedicated my adult life to had disappeared, and I felt empty. I didn't realize then that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have happened to me. The heavy burden of success was replaced by lightness - I became a beginner again. This feeling began one of the most creative periods in my life. Over the next five years, I founded NeXT and Pixar and fell in love with the beautiful woman who became my wife. I'm sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. The medicine tasted terrible, but the patient seemed to need it.
I am convinced that I did not give up and continued to move forward only because I loved what I did. If you haven't found what you love yet, keep looking."
Jim Carrey, actor
Jim Carrey first appeared on stage with a comedy act at the age of 15 - his debut was a failure. The film Once Bitten (1985), in which 23-year-old Kerry, after many unsuccessful castings, received his first leading role in a movie, was also coolly received by the public. And only at the age of 31 did he become famous after the low-budget film “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, the script for which, as well as the image of Ventura, Jim came up with himself. For the film, Carrey was nominated for a Golden Raspberry, an award for worst acting, but the film was a great success among audiences, and Ace Ventura became one of the most famous comedy characters. Kerry's next films - "The Mask", "Dumb and Dumber", "The Truman Show" - became cinema classics.
“So many people choose the path of fear, calling it 'practicality'. My father wanted to become a comedian, and he had every chance. But he did not believe that this was possible, and preferred to have a quiet, “warm” place, becoming an accountant. When I was 12 years old, he was fired, and our family had a hard time. Using his example, I realized that you can fail in something you don’t like - so why not try your luck in what you really want. It may seem impossible or ridiculous, and we don't even try to ask the Universe for it. I'm telling you, I'm living proof that you can ask for anything you want."
Oprah Winfrey, TV presenter
Oprah Winfrey received an education thanks to her talent: winning an elocution competition gave her the opportunity to go to university. In interviews, she repeatedly talked about her dysfunctional childhood and running away from home. And yet she became the first black female reporter in her city, and then the first black female billionaire in history. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is rightfully called one of the greatest television shows of all time.
“I have conducted over 35,000 interviews in my career. Every time the camera turned off, the guest of the program turned to me and asked: “Did everything go well?” I heard it from President Bush and President Obama. I've heard it from heroes and housewives.
It doesn't matter what heights you reach. At some point you are bound to stumble because the bar is constantly being raised. If you constantly strive higher and higher, then, as the myth of Icarus predicts, at some point you will begin to fall down. And when this happens, I want you to know and remember: failure does not exist. Failure is life's way of trying to convince you to change direction.
I have had to say these words to myself more than once. When you hit rock bottom, it's normal to feel bad for a while. Give yourself this time to grieve what you think you've lost. And then realize that you actually hold the key because mistakes teach you and force you to be more of who you are.”
Whoopi Goldberg, actress
Caryn Elaine Johnson, an ugly girl from a poor family, had to leave school due to dyslexia: she had problems with writing and reading. But dyslexia did not interfere with Ellen Rubenstein’s studies in the children’s theater, and her unusual appearance and strange behavior, which made it difficult for Caryn to communicate with her peers, came just in time. Moreover, the theater was free. There, Caryn received her first acting lessons, and later took the pseudonym Whoopi Goldberg and became a great actress who was awarded the most prestigious American awards and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“I was lucky - I had a truly unusual mother. She told me: “It’s okay that you’re strange. But are you ready for the fact that not everyone will be ready to accept you, not everyone will see and feel the same as you? Some people won't like you. Can you remain yourself?
When I was little, I dreamed of the world of cinema, television, and fashion. I couldn't read because I was dyslexic and didn't start studying until I was 15, but I knew what I wanted. You need to be able to stand up for what you believe in. You just don't have to be afraid of being wrong or wrong. If you feel in your heart that you are moving in the wrong direction, you can stop at any moment and say: “You know what? I changed my mind"".
Ellen DeGeneres, comedian and television host
The speech Ellen DeGeneres gave at Tulane University in New Orleans in 2009 is no ordinary speech. At the graduation ceremony, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton gave official speeches, and Ellen decided to speak spontaneously to the students. New Orleans was the actress’s hometown, and the graduating class consisted of students who began their studies just two days before the terrible Hurricane Katrina, which in 2005 caused terrible destruction to the city.
“When I left school, I was completely lost. I had no ambitions and didn't know what I wanted. I did everything: shucked oysters, worked as a bartender, worked as a waitress, painted houses, sold vacuum cleaners. All I wanted was to just settle down at some job so I could earn enough money to pay the rent. I lived in a basement apartment where I had no heat, no air, just a mattress on the floor and fleas. I thought I knew who I was, but I had no idea.
One day I sat down and started writing, and I had an imaginary conversation with God. I looked at him and said to myself, “Why have I never tried stand-up? I'm going to do it on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." He was the king at the time, and I was going to be the first woman in the history of the show to be on air with him. And so it happened.
Follow your dreams, stay true to yourself. Never follow someone unless you are lost in the forest. And even if you are lost, but you see the path, you must follow it by all means. Don't take other people's advice. My only advice is this: be true to yourself and everything will be fine.”
Graduation party for school. Detailed and detailed prom script for 11th graders.
Solemn music is playing. First-graders form a living corridor in the hall, along which graduates go to their assigned seats in the front rows. Those present in the hall greet them standing.
Head teacher(introduces the members of the presidium and opens the ceremonial part of the evening).
Speech by the school principal at the graduation ceremony (address to graduates)
The recording of D. Kabalevsky's waltz “School Years” sounds in the recording.
Along with the certificates, the school director presents certificates of commendation to the graduates. At the same time, comic certificates and symbolic souvenirs are awarded from classmates.
While the called graduate rises to the stage, the hosts briefly characterize him. For example.
Head teacher: Ivanov Peter is invited to the stage, 11 B!
Leading: Who could design a wall newspaper better than him? Whose jokes were passed down from mouth to mouth and became school folklore? The grieving school gives him a photograph of the last wall newspaper he designed as a souvenir.
Head teacher: Alexander Sidorov, 11 A, is invited to the stage!
Presenter: At one time, a rare girl saved her braids from him, and now we can envy his gallantry! As a souvenir from my classmates - this bow. Keep and remember us always!
Head teacher: Anna Kotova, 11 A, is invited to the stage!
Leading: Modest but charming! How many tests did her grateful neighbors copy off!
Head teacher: Elena Ivanova, 11 A, is invited to the stage!
Leading: Her thirst for knowledge has always amazed us, idiots, a little. We think that over time, perhaps, we will be proud that we studied with Elena in the same class. Good luck! And as a keepsake from us - this notebook with our phone numbers. When you become famous, don't be arrogant!
Head teacher: Sergey Kolobko, 11B, is invited to the stage!
Presenter: Seryozha pierced our hearts once and forever with his songs. We give him this disc with a recording of his favorite group - our girls!
Head teacher: Etina Tatyana, 11B, is invited to the stage!
Leading: It’s even scary to imagine that today we are parting with Tanya, our constant lifesaver. Tanechka! We love you! And in memory of us - this notebook with wishes! Happiness to you! And good luck with everything!
Head teacher: Egor Koshkin is invited to the stage, 11A!
Presenter: Our Egor is a serious person. The constant head of the class, the bastion of order, he had a hard time trying to organize us, the unorganized! In memory of slobs and classmates, this is a clever guide “How to Succeed.” When you achieve success, remember that this is our merit!
Head teacher: Maria Fedotova, 11 B, is invited to the stage!
Leading: Our star! Masha has traveled all over the region giving performances, and soon, we hope, she will be applauded in Europe and America. Masha! Our hearts are always with you! (Hands over a heart souvenir.)
Head teacher: Mikhail Fedorov, 11 A, is invited to the stage!
Presenter: We admire the incredible courage with which Mishka overcame his natural laziness and successfully passed the exams. Keep it up! Mishka’s classmates present him with a certificate of honor “For his services shown in the fight against laziness!”
After the presentation of certificates, the children are congratulated by the class teacher of the graduating class, parents, and honored guests.
Leading: We all know that, unfortunately, there are schools, parting with which is a holiday. One can only sympathize with those who studied in them. Although today, unlike us, graduates of such schools are happy to part with the place where they studied for 11 years, the place where they spent most of their lives without leaving a good memory.
Two people take the stage - the Graduate and the School.
The School costume is an ordinary white fabric over the clothes, the fabric conventionally depicts the school building - windows, the inscription “school”.
Graduate: Has this moment really come and we are parting?
School: It looks like it. Are you very sad?
Graduate: And no one will wake me up dead early just so that I can spend the whole day studying all sorts of logarithms and syllogisms?
School: Knowledge is light! I've been explaining this to you for 11 years!
Graduate: Yeah! Until darkness in the eyes! I almost went blind while I re-read everything that was required for the exams!
School: Only a person enriched with knowledge can become...
Graduate: Highly qualified unemployed!
School: So you're not sorry to part with me?
Graduate: Not at all!
School: Quite quite?
The graduate shakes his head negatively.
School: Was there really nothing good?
Graduate: Well...
School: Do you remember when you, very little, came to first grade? You couldn't read or count. I taught you! Without me, would you know the difference between a parallel and a cosine?
Graduate: What? He lived peacefully and cheerfully, no worries. And then study until you're blue in the face. They are also punished for unlearned lessons.
School: I introduced you to your friends...
Graduate: Well, yes... Nothing unites people more than a common struggle for freedom.
School: Won't you remember me with nostalgic sadness and sadness?
Graduate: Fifteen thousand hours erased from life, taken away from football, discos, hanging out with friends, the Internet and other interesting activities?!
School(sad): So, we are parting forever... (Sings with anguish from “Juno and Avos.”) “I will never see you...”
Graduate(with a shudder): I will never forget you!
Leading: Fortunately—and unfortunately—our situation is different. We ourselves do not know what we experience more on this day - joy or sadness. On the one hand, yes, such an exciting event - we are already adults, we are on the threshold of a new life, and it’s terribly interesting what’s next. On the other hand... How can you imagine that the bell will no longer ring, your friends will not burst into the classroom in a crowd... I think that after some time we will begin to desperately miss each other. We will miss our Elena Antonovna, who was not only cool to us, but also a wonderful friend. It happened that you couldn’t tell your mother everything, but you could always have a heart-to-heart talk with Elena Antonovna, ask for advice. Elena Antonovna is a person! And Natalya Petrovna! We have five people who are going to enroll in physics and mathematics because thanks to her, physics is near and dear to us. And the guys from other schools claim that the subject is difficult, boring and incomprehensible. Galina Antonovna! How much did you chase us, we grumbled and whined and cursed our fate, but the result is that we know mathematics! This was confirmed by the city Olympics! And this is only thanks to you. Tatyana Kirillovna, do you know that after you came to us, half our class wrote poetry? How can you not miss a school like this? How can you not miss such teachers?
Graduate: Dear teachers! The exciting moment has come when we say goodbye to school. We are happy and at the same time sad, we are sad to part with each other and with you. No matter where we live, no matter how our fate turns out, we will never forget you. We will remember both you and our home school with a feeling of deep gratitude. You taught us not only the basics of science, but also kindness, justice, honesty, and taught us to be human. On behalf of all graduates, please accept our deep gratitude and deepest bow for everything you have done for us. Thank you, dear teachers, for your wonderful, noble work!
Graduate:
You every day and every hour
Dedicating yourself to hard work,
Just thinking about us,
You live with one concern,
So that the Earth may be glorified by us,
And so that we grow up honest.
Thank you, teachers,
Thank you so much for everything!
Taught to appreciate beauty
They gave knowledge and skills.
Thank you for your kindness
For your continued patience!
Graduate:
Today is graduation night
We pretend to be
You can't hide your excitement with a funny joke...
We walk along the same stairs,
All the same windows, the same house,
Which we called school for ten years.
Well, this is necessary, it is necessary:
We are already seventeen years old,
And everyone can’t believe that they have become adults.
It seems like just yesterday
Mom brought us to school
And now we stand at large crossroads.
Let us not forget this day:
Lilacs bloom outside the windows,
Happiness is prophesied for us in the spring itself!
The earth still turns,
Teachers are standing around
And we should say “Thank you!”
You all want it.
The song “Thank you, teachers!” (lyrics by M. Plyatskovsky, music by Y. Dubravin).
You loved us all equally,
Sharing your love equally with everyone.
Because you molded us into people,
Thank you, teachers!
And there was no one kinder or stricter than you,
When the world was opened to us from scratch.
Because we are a little like you,
Thank you, teachers!
We all worried you a little,
Sometimes angry, sometimes happy.
For taking us on our way,
Thank you, teachers!
For the eternal multiplication table,
Because the Earth was given to us,
Because we are all your continuation,
Thank you, teachers!
Graduate: We ask our beloved class teacher of 11A Elena Antonovna Gorelskaya to come on stage!
Class teacher 11 A comes onto the stage. Her students surround her, say all sorts of nice words to her one by one (5-6 people), present flowers and keepsakes, then take pictures on stage in a close group, hugging everyone together.
The class teacher responds by talking about his class, how he will miss him, and invites him to come to school and call her at any time. He wishes the guys success and happiness. Everyone leaves the stage together.
Graduate: We ask the constant class teacher of 11B Viktor Ivanovich Plekhanov to come onto the stage!
Class teacher 11A comes on stage. The students thank him for all the years he spent with them, list what they learned from him, present flowers and souvenirs, and take pictures with him on stage. The same goes for all subsequent classes.
Graduate: Now let’s greet our first-graders! They came to congratulate the graduates.
To the sounds of the march “Our School Country” (lyrics by K. Ibryaev, music by Y. Chichkov), first-graders enter the hall with flowers. There is applause.
First grader:
Walk you on long paths,
Don't back down from anything.
And everything you planned
Let it be done to perfection!
First grader:
You graduated from school, and we are your shift,
We'll take your place at your desks.
We will also learn everything gradually,
We will master all the knowledge and certainly
We will follow you into adulthood!
Don't worry about us, we won't let you down!
First grader:
We will study well
To truly be friends
Strive to be the first in everything
And cherish the honor of the school.
Graduate(to a graduate): Just look what nice guys have replaced us. Were we really like that too?
Graduate: It seems that we can leave our home school on them with peace of mind.
Graduate: Dear Guys! We leave our dear school and our beloved teachers to you. Please treat them with care!
Graduate: Now we seem so big to you. But you won’t even notice how ten years will fly by, and you yourself will find yourself a graduate, and it’s up to you with what baggage you will leave school.
Graduate: With knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence, determination...
Graduate: Or with laziness, frivolity, carelessness, wretchedness...
Graduate: Right now you should think about whether you want to become pilots, scientists, engineers, bankers in the future...
Graduate: Professionals, specialists, respected people...
Graduate: Or lazy, worthless dropouts who can’t do anything and don’t want anything.
Graduate: Who have nothing to respect.
Graduate: We hope that you all make the right choice! And as a memory of us, take these books from us as a gift!
Graduates give children's books to first-graders. After which everyone leaves the stage, only the Graduate and the Graduate remain.
Graduate:
We can no longer sit at a narrow desk,
So we are a little sad.
The last call remains music in us,
Like those last, farewell words.
Graduate:
And in the classroom the lines of the classics are treasured
Now tell the other students,
We must theorem of eternal life
To prove your destiny to yourself.
Graduate:
We also remember the first exams,
Everything you and I dreamed about will come true,
We just can’t bring back childhood again.
Like the first waltz, it will not be forgotten.
Graduate: Our dear teachers! Thank you for your lessons, advice, for your endless patience. We know it hasn't been easy for us at times. We wish you further success in your difficult work as a teacher.
And we - we will not forget you.
Yes, we are growing up every day,
But all your lessons
We'll take it with us on the road,
Entering the wide world.
Graduate: And now we would like to present you with albums with photographs of our class and memorable souvenirs as a keepsake of us.
Graduate: We address our love, our sincere admiration and gratitude, first of all, to our director, Galina Stepanovna, who somehow manages to keep up with everything and, like a real mother, takes care of the entire school. We give you the most valuable thing we have - our dreams. In this envelope we all wrote down who we want to be. We ask you to open this envelope in 5 years, when we gather at school for a reunion.
Graduate: In this hall sit the teachers who were the first to lead us along the path of knowledge.
We are here as kids,
With pencil cases and books,
They entered and sat down in rows.
Ten classes have been completed here,
And here we have the word “Motherland”
For the first time we read it syllable by syllable.
We want to express words of great love and gratitude to our first teachers - Galina Ivanovna, Irina Dmitrievna, Irina Stepanovna. Your love and warmth helped us settle into school. You taught us the most important and basic things - not only to read and write, but also to love books, to count and take other people’s opinions into account, to respect ourselves and others. Thank you very much!
Graduates give flowers to their first teachers.
Graduate: In this hall are those teachers who led us by the hand to graduation.
Graduate: Although some of us desperately resisted!
One of the graduates peeks out from behind the scenes.
2nd graduate: If it weren’t for Galina Ivanovna, I would definitely have done something stupid and left after ninth grade! My certificate is your merit! Thank you
Graduate:
All our lives we will remember
How, without hiding a smile,
You returned the notebook to us,
Where there was no mistake
How upset you were
When, although rarely,
You should have put
Bad grade for us.
We were children and sometimes
Shaly, didn't notice
In the look of your kind eyes
Cares and sorrows.
Graduate:
Wise people taught us wisdom,
We finished the class after class.
Thank you very much, thank you
Who spared no effort for us.
We ask teachers to come up to the stage. (Names are listed.)
The song “Farewell Waltz” is played (lyrics by A. Didurov, music by A. Flyarkovsky). Teachers come up to the stage.
Graduate: Look at these people! They are the ones who made us who we are. It is to them that we owe everything we know and can do.
Head teacher: Good luck and happiness to you, dear graduates! We will miss you!
The host invites everyone to dance. It sounds like “Waltz on the Asphalt” (lyrics by D. Sedykh, music by P. Aedonitsky).
Sorry, prospects,
Sorry, boulevards,
This night, please allow me
Disturb the peace.
And on your asphalt
Spin to the guitar
Waltz in white shoes
White waltz graduation.
He is both sad and cheerful,
This waltz on the night asphalt.
Goodbye, childhood,
Hello, youth, -
Tomorrow we will go into life!
Excuse us, moms,
Excuse us, dads,
Today we probably
Let's be back in the morning.
Somewhere the platforms are waiting for us
Or gangways and ladders,
Your farewell scarf
Will be sad in the wind.
Sorry, prospects,
Sorry, boulevards, -
This is childhood and adolescence
Bridges are being raised.
Belated passerby
Get sad with the guitar
Wish them come true
Definitely dreams.
In between dances, competitions, games, attractions are held, graduates read their poems and poems of their favorite poets, perform songs, and act out skits. And in the morning they greet the dawn.
Giving a valedictorian speech after graduating from high school is a difficult but interesting task that brings pleasure not only to the audience, but also to the speaker himself. The purpose of such a speech is to say words of gratitude to your teachers, once again remind everyone about graduating from school and lift your spirits. In addition to saying goodbye to your teachers, your speech should include inspiring words of parting. Fitting all this into one short speech is quite a difficult task for a speaker. However, you will have a great speech if you plan and prepare in advance before speaking.
Steps
Part 1
Plan your speech-
Express your gratitude to people. Even if you were writing a graduation speech, take a few minutes to thank the people who helped you get your education. You can make a list of names of people to thank. Include the names of your parents, teachers, friends. Do not drag out your speech, briefly thank your family and move on to the main part of the speech.
- One way to end the words of gratitude is to remind the other graduates to also thank their families and teachers.
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Add some humor and jokes. A few funny stories or jokes are needed to lift your spirits and relieve stress. In addition, humor is needed to dilute your speech, so as not to strain the audience after a serious topic. Of course, you don't have to act like a clown to make your listeners smile. Just relax and be confident, even if the audience doesn't laugh at your joke, pretend nothing happened and continue speaking.
Think about the past. Give credit to your background with your classmates and the different things you did together in school. Graduation is the time to remember everything that connects you with school, right up to the day you graduate.
- You need to mention your achievements in your speech. Think about sports competitions, awards, charity events - anything where you or your classmates took an active part. The more school-related events you can remember, the better. It's important to celebrate your entire class's accomplishments, not just your own.
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Talk about what happens next. Graduation is a time to look to the future. Talk about what might await you after graduation. You don't know for sure what will happen to you in the future, so this part of the speech may be vague and dreamy. Think positively and think that there are many good things ahead of you.
- Perhaps after high school you will go to college. It's unlikely that all of your classmates will do this, so be sure to mention other possible paths others might take to get an education and a job. If you don't know what your classmates plan to do after graduation, talk to them about this topic.
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Tell me a story. This is a good way to expand on the topic of your speech and connect your story with real events that happened within the walls of your school. Think about what happened to you at school, what lessons you learned, and how they relate to your topic. If this topic concerns not only you, but also your friends and other acquaintances, it will be even more interesting. This is a good way to expand on the topic and tell your classmates about something interesting that happened at school.
Avoid templates. Of course, a speech topic is a great thing, but try not to use clichés like “the real world,” “the future is ours,” or “today is not the end of our education, but only the beginning.” Such phrases and sentences sound beautiful, but are used so often that they already seem meaningless to us. If your audience hears a few of these phrases, they may lose interest in your speech, and you definitely don't want that.
- Bring a copy of your speech with you. Even if you do a great job practicing in front of the mirror or friends, you will find it harder to concentrate at graduation. Therefore, a copy of the speech as a reminder will not hurt you.
- Try not to be distracted while speaking. This means that you need to be sure to turn off your phone, remove noisy key fobs and coins from your pocket, and do not chew gum during your speech. People will have a hard time understanding you if they don't listen to you carefully.
- Many schools will first check your speech to make sure it is on topic and does not raise controversial issues. Therefore, rehearsing one speech and delivering another is not a good idea.
- Avoid plagiarism. This should be your speech, not someone else's speech. Your speech must be original and unique. Keep in mind that there are many different speeches available online and it can be tempting to just copy one for yourself, but remember that people can easily spot your deception.
Read more graduation speeches. One of the best ways to prepare for what you need to do is to find people who have already done it. Ask your classmates to read their graduation speeches to you, listen to how these speeches sound, what jokes are used in them. There is no need to copy these speeches, just find something interesting in each speech, some ideas and topics that you can use for your speech.
Find a topic for your speech. Your speech should be structured around something that you are trying to convey to your classmates and teachers. Once you find a topic, you can build your speech around that main idea. Thanks to the topic, you can easily understand what phrases and sentences to include in your speech.
Make a sketch. Before you sit down and start writing a moving speech, make an outline. Find a big topic, write down point by point everything you want to include in the speech. Mention a few jokes or funny stories in your speech. Such a plan will help you navigate when writing a speech and not forget any of the points. In addition, this way you can estimate how long your speech will be. Some aspects may need to be reduced.
Talk to other students. This ceremony is held not only for you, but also for all other graduates, so everyone's opinion about this event will be different. Talk to other students, not just your friends, but also those with whom you don't interact much. Find out what school time was like for them, what memories they have.
Remember your audience. This speech is not only for you, it is also for your classmates and teachers. Therefore, it would be a good idea to thank your teachers and parents for giving you an education. Remember that the focus should be on you and your classmates. First of all, your speech should be dedicated to graduates.
Try not to drag out your speech. If your performance is part of some kind of formal ceremony, most likely, guests are not in the mood to listen to half an hour about nature, friendship and the Universe. Try to speak clearly and to the point. Plus, if you're shy about public speaking, a short speech will make you feel more confident.
Leave the most important things for last. Chances are, your viewers won't be hanging on every word. Therefore, the most important idea for which you prepared this speech should be said at the end of the speech, even if it is just a rephrased idea that you already said at the beginning of the speech. The last sentence of your speech that your audience hears is likely to be the one they remember the most.
Part 2
Include important points in your speechPart 3
Present your speechPractice giving a speech. Before graduation, you should read your speech out loud several times. You can practice in front of a mirror or in front of friends. This way, you will understand how long your speech takes (for example, it may be too long), and also evaluate how it sounds when you say it out loud.