The Best Valedictorian Speech: Anecdotes and Reflections

Whenever the topic of memorable valedictorian speeches comes up, many people struggle to recall any particularly impactful ones. However, through the passage of time and personal experience, I have come across a few that stand out.

When my step-daughter graduated from high school, the guest speaker was a local figure known as a hot shot. I remember hearing his speech, but the main message was rather disappointing. He suggested that one's best life achievement could be securing a job as a UPS driver. Contrary to this perspective, I always believed that graduation speeches should be inspiring, not limiting.

When I graduated from high school, the speaker was a politician who, I believe, was under the influence. Despite his incoherent speech, I still managed to find inspiration from him, as he managed to be more inspiring than the aforementioned local figure. Throughout my 30 years as a university professor, I have had the opportunity to listen to numerous graduation speeches, and most of them were not memorable. However, there were two that left a lasting impression.

The Inspiring Departure Speech

The first memorable speech was given by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker at my doctoral graduation. As a towering figure at 6'5", Chairman Volcker delivered a speech on fiscal responsibility. More importantly, he demonstrated the importance of personal responsibility in this matter. The fact that he had personally acted on his beliefs made his words even more powerful.

Setting the Record Straight

The second inspiring speech came from Black Republican Senator Ed Jones of Colorado Springs. He shared his personal story of growing up in segregated Mississippi and his experiences as the brightest graduate from his all-Black high school. This was followed by a literacy test in Latin, a challenge that most were unable to complete. Senator Jones' speech was emotional and impactful, and he emphasized the importance of setting the record straight regarding historical narratives. He quoted his experiences as evidence of the struggles faced by African Americans and the lasting impact of discriminatory policies.

Personal Anecdotes and Observations

While recounting these speeches, I recalled a personal anecdote from my own family's history. When my wife was pregnant with her fourth child, a judge gave both my wife and her mother a prison sentence for crack-related theft. The fourth offense. My wife, who was unaware of the identity of the father, found herself in a difficult situation. These personal struggles emphasized the harsh realities of life and the fragility of our circumstances.

Another memorable event from my graduation week was an arson attack on the ROTC building at the University of Kentucky. No arrests were made, and the unnerved president decided to cancel the graduation ceremony. It was rescheduled for September, but by then, I was living five hours away from Lexington and had no interest in returning for a ceremony that I had never intended to attend in the first place.

Favorite Commencement Speech

Although the concept of a favorite commencement speech may seem contradictory, we can still appreciate those that have made an impact. I would love to have heard a speech from Barack or Michelle Obama, or even Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Their voices would undoubtedly inspire and educate the graduating class.

Conclusion

While many graduation speeches fall short of expectations, there are a few that stand out due to their inspiring messages and impactful storytelling. Whether it's the lessons from a former Federal Reserve Chairman or the personal stories of Senator Ed Jones, these speeches serve as a reminder of the importance of education, responsibility, and truth.