A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give?

[dweir]

I attended my niece's high school graduation in Virginia last year and was impressed with the difference in the tone of the ceremony compared to those I have seen here in Massachusetts. The predominant message was "work hard" not so much "live your dreams". More "be responsible" and less "you are the future."

So, should this speech be given in every high school? I say "yes".

A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give

[rcweir]

I dunno. In one sense a commencement speech is ceremonial. Set a high tone. Be uplifting. And above all else, be short, so families can get together to celebrate. I don't think the envrionment it is conducive to delivering a message of substance. It is like an Academy Award speech. Anyone who tried to say something serious detracts from the triviality of the event ;-)

What I liked at graduation (college) was the pre-commencement sermon in the chapel. That was more the appropriate place and time, without the cameras, without family and pomp, to hear a serious message. Of course, we'd be oppressing student's civil liberties if we did that in public school.

[DanD]

It sure would be great to have that speech delivered at the start of any school year, at any school. I'd be very surprised if it ever happened. The principal would be harassed by every PC nut in the world, not just the country.
Would make a great story, though.

High school graduation speeches? Does anyone remember theirs? Your kids? Did any of them ever make a difference in your life other than make you delay the start of the party?

I heard two good grad speeches, one by Newt Gingrich at Ga. Tech, the other by Brian Williams at Villanova. The memorable parts were NOT the "inspirational" BS. Newt's was the reduction in personal responsibility and accountablility that is encouraged by strong central government, and Williams was the tribute to the men and women in our military (he flew back from Iraq to give the speech....it was just before he started his current job). Other than those two, I can't remember anything about the others (over a dozen between kids, mine, wifes, sisters, other relatives etc.)

Not that anyone cares, but I DO remember the speech given by the president of the university I attended during orientation. It went something like this: "Look to your left. Look to your right. One of the three of you won't be here after your freshman year. Study and work hard or it'll be you. You are an adult, it is up to you, not Mom or Dad or even the University. It is all you. " Pretty much the whole speech. Scared the bejaysus out of a lot of us, and guess what? He was right. 1/3 flunked or dropped out.