The 'Could Have Been' Valedictory Speech

Graduates and undergrads alike may now breathe a collective sigh of relief as the school year is finally coming to an end. After months of endless torture and boundless challenges, they can now indulge themselves with luxuries that they can’t possibly afford while simultaneously burning the midnight oil.

Meanwhile, school administrators and teachers will probably be on their toes preparing for the upcoming graduation rites. This is undoubtedly a laborious task, because I’ve been seeing my mom nowadays (She’s a public school teacher, handling Grade 6 students) fidgeting with all the work that needed to be accomplished at the soonest possible time.

My mom asked me to write a Valedictory Address for her student. Seeing this not only as a favor, I immediately said yes and turned on the PC to start writing it.

To be addressed as a Valedictorian and gracefully lead your fellow graduates as you speak your eloquent speech has long been a dream, but sadly, I fell short of expectations to be addressed as one. In the meantime, making a valedictory speech would hugely suffice my longing for such a dream.

So here it is, in full context, unedited.

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS

To our impeccable and hardworking principal, Noel S. Macapagal, gracious and astute school’s District Supervisor Dr. Lolita L. Molano, dedicated teachers, beloved parents, friends, and to my fellow graduates, a pleasant good evening.

It is with great exaltation and pride that I am standing in front of everyone as we all gathered here to cherish this particular milestone in our lives as students, our graduation day. This marks the end of our stay here in this institution, the institution to which I am deeply grateful for. This academe has served as my second home, my molder, and a melting pot of opportunities that had shaped me for who I have become today. Though I certainly dread this particular day that we have to step out of the grounds of this school, I still believe that the memories and lessons once taught to us by our mentors will always be with us as we depart. The values and good moral conducts that have been reiterated to us over the years will surely have their application as we conquer heights of opportunities outside the four corners of Masantol Elementary School.

The 2012 Graduation Rites mainly focus on the theme “Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building”. This is true to a sense. Education will always be our main artillery as we go along the battlefield of life. Nowadays, it has always been a question of how competent and knowledgeable a person is, that could predetermine his resilience and capability to overcome the challenges of life. As members of the youth, we must not lose our sense of idealism. We should have the same wisdom and discernment as that of Rizal’s. He pronounced that the ‘Youth is the hope of our nation’, seeing that the vibrancy of wanting change lies most radiant in us. We must not disappoint him, or categorically speaking, our country in general. We have to continuously strive for perfection in everything that we do, and above all, placing God at the center of our lives so that we may not go astray.

I would also like to take this once in a lifetime opportunity to thank some of the key people whom I have shared my time with.

First and foremost, to my parents, for standing by me and for giving me the most valuable gift a parent can actually give to his children: the gift of education. My deepest gratitude also for the unconditional love and support that they have poured on me during those times that I almost succumbed to the temptation of giving up.

To my teachers and mentors, for the wisdom that they have imparted to us. Thanks for cultivating our distinct potentials which could have been lying idle if not for their utmost perseverance and dedication.

To my fellow graduates, most especially to my friends, for accepting my flaws and shortcomings. The times that we spent together will always be cherished for as long as I am a breathing soul. May we all succeed in our own endeavors in life.

And last, but not the least, to God, for bestowing me the gift of life, and by all means, giving me the chance to first-handedly experience everything that I went through, be it a painful or blissful experience. Rest assured, these challenges, failed or succeeded, have equally contributed to my personal character.

Life is everybody’s game. There is no glass ceiling to break, and you do not have to graduate with honors to be a successful citizen of this country. But while this is true, working hard for it is a requirement which could not be divorced from the equation. Only prayers, hard work and determination turn the impossible into something inevitably attainable.

On behalf of graduating class 2011-2012, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to those people who helped us attain this torch of success. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!