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How To Create A Unique 5th-Grade Graduation Speech (+ 4 Heartfelt Sample Speeches For Inspiration)

It seems like just yesterday when you first entered that lively classroom, wide-eyed and ready to take on the world.

And here you are, about to graduate from fifth grade, ready to say goodbye to the primary school years that helped to mold you into the amazing person you are today.

This significant event calls for a celebration, but before the fun gets underway, let’s take time to consider the significance of giving a strong graduation speech on this momentous occasion.

A well-crafted speech has the power to grab hearts, inspire minds, and make a lasting impression on everyone present for the graduation ceremony.

This article will provide you with outstanding fifth-grade graduation speeches that will produce a lasting goodbye to a treasured period of your life.

How to choose your message and tone

As you prepare to give a memorable fifth-grade graduation speech, It’s time to go on a journey of self-expression and inspiration.

Two key factors that must be considered while crafting your speech are the message you want to express and the tone you will use.

These two components will serve as your compass as you create a speech that connects with your classmates, instructors, and parents.

Here are factors to consider when choosing the message and tone of your speech that will make a lasting impact on everyone who hears it.

Consider your audience

It’s important to consider the people who will be there and closely listening to you speak while choosing your topic and tone for your fifth-grade graduation speech.

By knowing your audience, you may create a speech that speaks directly to the hearts of your audience. Think about the future students you could motivate, your peers, and your teachers.

Addressing their aspirations, desires, and commonalities can help you make your message more relatable to them.

Reflect on your experiences.

Spend a minute looking back on your own experience in fifth grade. Consider the achievements, hardships, and remarkable experiences that have influenced your growth.

Consider the life lessons you have acquired, the friends you have created, and the instructors who have influenced you.

You may engage directly with your audience and give meaningful tales and insights by drawing on your personal experiences as the source of inspiration for your speech.

Decide on your main point.

Every effective speech has a primary idea or subject. Think about the point you want to make to your audience.

Build your speech on the key point you want to leave your peers with, be it the value of tenacity or the impact of kindness.

This focal point will serve as the speech’s anchor and focus point, guaranteeing that your audience will be moved by what you say.

Choose a tone that fits your message.

Choosing a tone that complements your message after you’ve settled on your major argument is crucial.

Your tone determines the emotional climate of your speech, which may be anything from inspiring and uplifting to sentimental and nostalgic.

A positive and upbeat tone is suitable if your primary message is celebrating accomplishments you have achieved.

On the other hand, a more reflective and nostalgic tone can be appropriate if you’re looking back on the journey and expressing gratitude.

To pick a tone that works with your message, consider the feelings you want to arouse in your audience.

Write from the heart.

The most powerful speeches are spoken from the heart. Let your words reflect your sincere enthusiasm and feelings.

When writing your speech, be loyal and genuine to who you are. Let your peers know how much their friendship and support have meant to you by sharing personal anecdotes.

Writing from the heart will make your speech more compelling and establish a stronger connection with your audience, creating a positive impression.

Sample speech #1: Celebrating accomplishments and goals

“Today, We’re gathered to commemorate a significant event: the fifth-grade graduation. It’s time to reflect on the amazing things we’ve done together and the many goals we have achieved. Let’s take a minute as we say goodbye to elementary school to congratulate one another on our efforts, tenacity, and persistence in getting to this point. We have grown in ways we never anticipated, from learning arithmetic concepts to developing collaboration skills. Let this graduation remind us that we are capable of greatness when we believe in ourselves. So, my fellow graduates, let’s celebrate our achievements today and look forward to the promising future that lies ahead. Congratulations!”

Sample speech #2: Reflecting on our time together

“Dear Friends, Teachers, and Families, As we stand here on the verge of our fifth-grade graduation, It is a moment of reflection and reminiscence. We have learned from one another, laughed a lot, and made memories that will last a lifetime. When we entered this institution, we started a journey of personal development, learning, and friendship. As we reflect on the past, I recall the little victories and difficulties that helped us become the people we are today. This place seems like a second home because of the ties we’ve built, and our professors have become our role models. Let’s treasure these special moments and thank everyone who has helped us on this amazing journey.”

Sample speech #3: Looking Ahead to the Future

“Good day, everyone! I stand in front of you today with anticipation and joy as we come together to celebrate our fifth-grade graduation. Our primary school experience has given us the information, abilities, and friendships that will lay the groundwork for our future endeavors. As we prepare to start the next chapter of our life, let us accept the uncertainty with an open heart and mind. We can determine our futures, and the world is full of opportunities waiting to be explored. Be bold in your goals, tenacious in your pursuits, and compassionate in your deeds. Together, we can change the world and leave a lasting impression. So, my fellow grads, let’s look forward to the future with optimism, grit, and a firm trust in our capabilities. Accept my sincere congratulations to every one of you.”

Sample Speech #4: Shared Accomplishments

“Respected visitors, instructors, and my fellow graduates, today we come together to celebrate not just our successes but also the strength of our shared accomplishments. We stand here as evidence of the power that comes from encouraging and supporting one another. Our experience in fifth grade has taught us the incomparable worth of cooperation, compassion, and diversity. We’ve come to realize that when we work together, we can conquer any challenge and excel. Let’s promote compassion and togetherness beyond the boundaries of our school by reaching out to those in need and being nice to everyone we meet. As a class, we have repeatedly shown that we are stronger when working together. Therefore, as we say goodbye to this chapter, let’s embrace the lessons we’ve learned and keep making a difference in the world. Congratulations, my fantastic classmates!”

Tips for Delivering a successful graduation speech

Giving a powerful graduation speech is a thrilling but difficult undertaking. It’s crucial to remember a few critical suggestions as you prepare to capture your audience with your words.

These pointers will help you successfully make a remarkable fifth-grade graduation speech that everyone in attendance will remember.

Practice, practice, practice

A lot of practice is essential for giving an effective speech. Repeatedly practice your address, paying close attention to your tone, tempo, and timing.

Practice in front of a mirror or with a dependable family member or friend who can provide feedback. You will become more at ease and certain the more you practice.

Speak clearly and loudly.

Aim to speak loudly and clearly so that everyone in the crowd can hear you. Pay close attention to your volume, articulation, and pronunciation.

Allow each word to resonate clearly and be comprehended by everyone by speaking slowly and clearly.

Use appropriate body language.

Your body language has the power to captivate your audience, which in turn would strengthen your message.

Use eye contact, an upright stance, and hand gestures to underline key ideas. Also, facial expressions are perfect for reflecting on your feelings; letting your passion come out.

Keep it concise

Keep your speech focused and concise, even though it may be tempting to go into every aspect of your journey.

Select the most powerful examples and ideas supporting your primary thesis to keep your speech interesting and attract the audience’s attention.

Connect with your audience.

Create a personal connection with your audience by telling relevant tales, utilizing inclusive language, and speaking directly to their common experiences.

Engage them by employing humor, rhetorical questions, or requests for reflection on one’s own journey. Your words have a higher chance of inspiring a connected audience.

Stay positive

Your speech should be filled with hope and positivism. A good attitude will influence people to listen and improve their spirits.

Honor your fellow students’ accomplishments, appreciate the chances and help you’ve had, and instill optimism for the future.

Thank the people who helped you

During this brief moment of appreciation, thank your teachers, parents, and classmates for helping you succeed in fifth grade.

Appreciate their advice, support, and friendship. This action not only expresses gratitude but also enables you to engage emotionally with your audience.

Conclusion: Congratulations, graduates!

A good graduation speech encompasses our knowledge, insights, and aspirations, all passionately combined and presented with steadfast assurance.

Remember that every word matters and that every message has the power to affect change as you begin writing your graduation speech.

Keep the memories close to your heart, honor your successes, and look forward to the limitless opportunities.

You can give your kid this personalized name bolt-action pen as a graduation gift. It will help them to remember their accomplishment and cherish it for a lifetime.

Alternatively, you can surprise them with a personalized graduation bear with a school badge and name. It’s a unique way to commemorate their graduation.

Be proud, speak truthfully, and let your fifth-grade graduation speech serve as a monument to the amazing people you have grown to be.

Vincent Otieno

Vincent Otieno is a passionate jewelry enthusiast and writer at Getnamenecklace, an e-commerce store dedicated to offering exquisite jewelry and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the art of gift-giving, Vincent curates a collection that celebrates the beauty of craftsmanship and the joy of making family moments unforgettable.

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How to Make a Middle School Graduation Speech

Last Updated: April 10, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 437,728 times.

We all know giving a graduation speech can be nerve-wracking, but it is also an exciting opportunity. You get to highlight the important moments that your class has experienced over the years. To make a middle school graduation speech, you should write a speech that thanks your teachers, parents, and peers and also highlights some important moments throughout the year. Your speech will be more memorable if you include a few jokes, quotes, or words of advice.

Writing Your Graduation Speech

A sample graduation speech showing opening greeting remarks.

You could say something like “Good afternoon Principal Jacobs, teachers, staff, family, and most importantly my fellow graduating class.”

Encourage your classmates to always remember and cherish the good times you had together.

Step 4 Highlight a few important moments that brought the class together.

For instance, you could say “During the fall charity drive, our class made history by raising over three thousand dollars.”

Say something like: "I want to thank the teachers, staff, Principal Nolan, and, of course, my parents for a wonderful Lemon Valley experience. Without your support and guidance we would not be where we are today."
You could add: “I would especially like to thank my classmates for making middle school one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life."

Elevating Your Speech

For example, you should say “We will always remember when Mr. C. made a perfect dunk on the basketball court” instead of “I will always remember when Mr. C. made a perfect dunk of the basketball court.”

Avoid making insulting jokes that may offend someone in the audience.
You could tell a quick story that highlights a funny moment from the last year. For example, "Mr. D was so eager to come to school and teach us that one day he wore his shirt inside out."

Step 3 Don’t talk too much about individuals.

That being said, it is okay to give a tribute to someone if they deserve special recognition. For example, perhaps the entire graduating class had the same teacher. In this instance, you can mention that teacher individually.

Step 4 Keep your speech between 10 to 15 minutes in length.

Alternatively, you could choose a quote that was hung on your classroom wall and talk about how you can apply this quote to future successes.

For example, you could quote a piece of advice from a celebrity commencement speech.
Alternatively, you could say something serious like "The journey ahead may not be easy, and most of us will stumble at some point. The important thing is that we get back up and keep working towards our goals and dreams."

Delivering the Speech

Expert Q&A

Stay Confident! Never let your audience think you are nervous or shy. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Keep the speech lively. Nobody wants to fall asleep at their own graduation. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
It may help to take a deep breath before starting your speech. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

how to write a 5th grade promotion speech

Make sure the content in your speech is respectful to all. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 2
If you are going to tell a story or joke about an individual, you may want to run it by them first. That way you will not offend them during the graduation ceremony. Thanks Helpful 27 Not Helpful 3
Do not chew gum while speaking because it may be difficult for people to understand what you are saying. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 4
If you want your speech to be a surprise, do not practice with your friends. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 8

↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
↑ http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/graduation-speech-writing-outline.html
↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
↑ http://www.jostens.com/grad/grad_cp_hs_grad_guide_graduation_speech.html
↑ https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/be/commkit/public-speaking-how-to-practice/
↑ https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/graduation-speech-ideas with https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/be/commkit/public-speaking-how-to-practice/

About This Article

To make a middle school graduation speech, start with a greeting like "Good morning, everyone!" Then introduce yourself, since not everyone in the audience will know you. You can then share some of your favorite memories of middle school by talking about important things that happened or notable school events. Also, include some positive comments about the future, like how excited you are for high school. Before your time is up, thank those people who made middle school a great experience, like your teachers or principal. To learn how to add jokes or famous quotes to your speech, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Educator, Activist, Storyteller.

My Graduation 2020 Speech to my 5th-graders.

We just had a virtual graduation for our 5th-graders which was emotional, bittersweet, and left me teary-eyed throughout. While this is not the graduation we wanted, we still wanted our students to get the most out of it, and so I spent 3 days writing and pre-recorded the following speech for graduation. Hope you enjoy.

Ms. Tan’s Graduation Speech, June 23rd, 2020

Good morning everyone. I’m Ms. Tan, and I have been a fifth-grade teacher at our school for the past 4 years. I am so honored to be your Master of Ceremonies for the graduating class of 2020!

We teachers and staff here have seen you, the Class of 2020, grow into thoughtful, responsible, considerate and caring leaders. We are so proud of your accomplishments over the past 6 years, where you grew stronger not just in your ability to read, write, and do math, but in analyzing the world around you, in asking questions, and in wondering why the world is the way it is. You have learned and applied everything you learned about the 8 Habits* and become leaders not only in your classrooms but in your homes, community, and beyond.

This is not just a day to celebrate our graduating class but also to celebrate the parents, family and friends who have worked so hard and made so many sacrifices to make sure their children succeeded. Parents, today is a culmination of your children’s successes, failures, losses and triumphs. Today is a day we celebrate the end of your child’s journey in elementary school.

Today, your graduation day, students, has been something you have been dreaming of for six years, and something I dreamed of as well. Like many of you students, I come from a family of immigrants, where my parents speak a language other than English. There was pressure on me to learn English quickly so I could translate mail, help my parents go to appointments, and to succeed here in America.

Like all of you, I had teachers and family that believed in me, pushed me to work hard, and helped me find my voice. Because of everyone who supported me, and because of my own hard work, I was one of the first in my family to graduate from high school, then college, then a masters degree in teaching. And that is why I became a teacher- so I could help students like you also feel confident and strong enough to find your voices and succeed.

I eagerly volunteered this year to be your Master of Ceremonies. But I honestly struggled writing this speech. There is no sugarcoating that this is not how we wanted to celebrate this graduation day. We all have been waiting for this day, to see you in your dress-up clothes and caps and gowns, and celebrate in-person. We were ready for hugs, tears, laughter, and so much fun at the end of the year.

And then, so suddenly, we went from our classrooms, walking the hallways back-to-back up in two lines, sharing the same pencils and hall passes, sitting knee-to-knee in the cafeteria and in the auditorium, to learning from our homes. We once took things, like going outside and breathing fresh air in without a face mask, or not washing our hands, gross, for granted. We took going into school for granted. We all did.

I want to make clear that we are in a historic moment right now. We are in a moment in history now that students like you will study in 50 years’ time. This historic pandemic has hit the entire world and has changed everything. It has changed the ways we have been able to be with each other. It has changed the way we work. It has shown us how society works, and what doesn’t work. It changed how we were able to go to school, and how we’re able to do this graduation this year.

It is okay to be scared, confused, angry, and overwhelmed by all of this. And, you are not alone. As much as the adults in your life have tried to remain strong, we are also feeling all of those feelings.

And yet you, students, made it through these past few months to finish the 5th grade. As we very quickly and suddenly changed as a society, you students used everything you learned at our school to make it to this graduation day.

We switched quickly from seeing each other in person to seeing each other only on video chats. We got used to frozen screens and the weird sounds of our voices when our WiFi signal went bad. We learned to mute and unmute ourselves quickly if something in the background was loud.

Parents, family members, thank you for getting our children to this graduation day. Since we moved to remote learning, you’ve taken on a much larger role of teaching our children, whether it’s working as essential workers and making money for your families, then coming home to help your child complete assignments, or accepting our texts, phone calls and emails.

You all have been so gracious as we navigated this remote learning together. Thank you for being patient as we learned how to use these different platforms, figured out what times of day and what worked best for you and your children, and made sure all our students could get through this.

And students, so many of you have been doing so much work not just as students, but as older brothers and sisters who figured out Google Classroom not only for yourselves but for your siblings, helping your parents and relatives with Google Classroom or some email we sent you, or trying again and again to play a video or complete online assignments and math forms. You students worked so hard and worked through so much to believe in yourselves, built up ways to be sad and mad and finding hope all at the same time when things were hard.

Thank you to all the teachers and staff who made sure all of our students got to this Graduation day. We teachers and schools staff got so much closer to our students and families: now we text and call back and forth like we never would have before. We have laughed together at the small moments and cried together at the hard moments.

We know nothing can replace being with each other in person. We all miss being in school- and that’s something, kids, I KNOW you never thought you would say! We all miss each other and hope to see each other in person when it’s safe to do so. But the relationship, the love, the care, the hope we give one another, all of that has remained strong, maybe even stronger, and will still be there once you leave our school. That is how we got through this tough time: together.

But some of us have had terrible losses. Our community has lost grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends. I want to acknowledge all of the family members and friends, those who helped our students get where they are today but who are not here today to celebrate with us. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge those we have lost. Thank you.

It is hard to stay the course. But the end in mind is making sure everyone is safe. We remember that everything we are doing is for our community. Everything we do in the future is for our community. We continue to work as a team and fight to make sure other lives are not taken too soon. Now and later, we know it’s always our duty to do what’s right. It takes all of us to do the right thing, to put first things first, but also stand up when something is wrong.

This time is hard, but this is just the beginning for you all on your journey towards becoming independent, thoughtful, critical citizens of this earth. This is the beginning of you learning to sharpen the saw, utilizing all the strength, courage, and willpower you have, all the struggles you persevered through, to pass your next tests. I don’t just mean math tests, but tests of your endurance and your ability to keep going, especially when things get hard. Take care of yourselves- whatever you’re feeling is okay, and you have people to support you through those tough times. And continue to believe in yourselves.

This is not the end of the community you have with us. Those hugs, tears, laughter, we aren’t able to have them in person now but we can have them later. You get to have them now with your family members and community. As we learned through all this, things don’t just stop when a scary infectious disease comes. If this time has taught us anything, it is to rely on the community we have. Know that we are here. You are all loved and supported, always. You have our contact information now- use it!

Keep doing the right thing and speaking up when there is wrong in the world. As Mohandas Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in this world.” I hope you all find your voice and go make this world a better place for everyone. Thank you.

*Note: we are a “Leader in Me” Lighthouse school, meaning we implement the 8 Habits framework to help students learn how to work independently and interdependently.

One thought on “ My Graduation 2020 Speech to my 5th-graders. ”

This is so touching! Thank you for sharing your speech here! 🙂

https://mathsux.org/

How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

The Speaker Lab
March 7, 2024

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking, managing stage fright, and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

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Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech, it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

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Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language. During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

Last Updated: March 5, 2024

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Graduation Speech [20 Examples + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Being selected as a commencement speaker is a great recognition, but the responsibility can be intimidating. How do you know what kind of message will hit home for the graduates at this point in their lives? How do you make your message stand out from other words of wisdom that the graduating class has heard before?

Fortunately, there are many incredible graduation speeches from which you can pull information. We’ve gathered 15 of the best graduation speech examples here to make your research and brainstorming process easier. A little studying can give you ideas for the perfect graduation speech topic and help you write your speech efficiently.

In this article:

Graduation Speech Examples

Graduation speech template.

Take note of the flow and structure of the examples, and let them guide you in creating your own graduation speech outline. Remember to practice your speech and memorize the bulk of it so you’re able to deliver with confidence. With a strong theme and plenty of practice, you’re sure to gain the audience’s attention and leave them inspired.

Here are 15 free graduation speech examples to gain inspiration from. If you like a style or message of a sample speech, use it as a model to create your own original version.

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1. Funny Valedictorian Speech

This valedictorian entertains the audience of his high school graduation speech with subtle, kind-hearted jokes that reflect the graduating class and the school faculty. The graduation speaker has a sentimental theme to his speech, but his light humor ensures that the presentation is both meaningful and memorable.

“You see, this is not goodbye. This is see you in two to 10 years when I’m significantly smarter, wealthier, funnier, and more handsome than I am right now.”

2. College Graduation Speech Example: Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College

You don’t have to be a famous comedian to deliver a funny graduation speech, but let Conan O’Brien’s speech at Dartmouth College serve as a good model to create your own. Intertwining life advice and great jokes, O’Brien inspires graduates to get past failure and pave their own paths.

“Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment, you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”

3. Preschool Graduation Speech

This preschool graduation speech is a great example for teachers who need to give a commencement address. A speech for a preschool or kindergarten graduation is different, in that the speaker is mostly communicating to the parents of the graduates. This preschool teacher delivers a meaningful speech that explains the joy in her job, while touching on the humorous things the students have said over the months.

“Tomorrow I give you back your child, the same child you entrusted in my care last fall, except now I give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller… I give them back to you a little smarter, a little more mature, and a little more responsible than they were 10 months ago.”

4. David Foster Wallace Kenyon College Commencement Speech

In what is recognized as one of the best graduation speeches of all time, David Foster Wallace affirms to a class of liberal arts students that their education taught them how to think and how to be self-aware.

“The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. This, I submit, is the freedom of a real education, of learning how to be well-adjusted. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t. You get to decide what to worship.”

5. Middle School Graduation Speech

A class president delivers a heartwarming message in a storytelling format at his middle school graduation ceremony.

“Once upon a time, three long years ago, a journey began. We were obedient little munchkins, climbing up stairs meant for giants, carrying heavy backpacks filled with every sort of colored pencil existing on this earth.”

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Commencement Speech 2017

Steven Levitan, creator of the award-winning show “Modern Family,” was the commencement speaker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the graduating class of 2017. This is a good example to follow if you’re an alum of the college you’re presenting to.

“It’s hard to believe I graduated here 33 years ago. I still have the official university photo of me receiving my diploma wearing only shorts under my cap and gown and holding a big bottle of champagne, as if to say, ‘Hey world, lower your expectations.'”

7. Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard University Commencement Speech

Successful people are often chosen as commencement speakers for university graduation ceremonies. See how the CEO and founder of Facebook is able to portray humility in relating to the 2017 graduating class at Harvard University.

“I’m honored to be with you today because, let’s face it, you accomplished something I never could. If I get through this speech, it’ll be the first time I actually finish something at Harvard. Class of 2017, congratulations!”

8. Al Roker’s Commencement Speech at Champlain College

Upon receiving his doctorate degree of humane letters, the “Today Show” weather anchor delivered an inspirational speech to the graduating class. Roker speaks to the class’s generation and relates his graduation speech topic back to his own upbringing.

“Be in the moment. Stop living through your screen. Experience it now.”

9. Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech at Stanford University

The Apple CEO’s commencement speech at 2005 to the graduating class at Stanford University is one of the classics. Jobs tells stories about his own experiences with dropping out of college, being fired from Apple, and being diagnosed with cancer.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of the other opinion drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

10. Elementary School Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVOQVsbkmbM

This fifth-grade class speaker relates her teacher’s message to a lesson from her grandfather as her opening hook .

“To survive the fifth grade is not barely making it through. Instead, to survive means to perform with distinction.

11. Ellen Degeneres Commencement Speech at Tulane University

The famous talk show host and comedian Ellen Degeneres’s commencement speech at Tulane University is a great example of how a guest speaker can identify with her audience.

“It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.”

12. University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address

Rear Admiral William H. McRaven aims to inspire his audience right from the beginning. The rear admiral encourages the graduating class to change the world, relating everyday life struggles to those of the people in the military.

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

13. Matthew McConaughey Commencement Speech

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey drew from his own personal story to deliver an inspirational commencement speech at the University of Houston. McConaughey gives the graduating class 13 life lessons, including to define success for yourself and find joy in your work.

“Prioritize who you are and who you want to be. Don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character.”

14. Commencement Address by Jim Carrey

In his commencement address at Maharishi University of Management, actor Jim Carrey tells an emotional personal story. Carrey uses emotion to encourage the graduating class to walk their own path and never settle in life.

“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”

15. Stephen Colbert’s Commencement Speech at Wake Forest University

The famous comedian delivers a witty and funny graduation speech, offering students practical advice for the real world.

“And if there’s one thing you need even more, it’s your own set of standards. It may seem counterintuitive now, but once you leave here, you may miss being graded on all your work. Because when you’re out of school, there are no objective criteria for achievement anymore.”

16. Inspiring Graduation Speech

In this remarkable graduation speech, the class valedictorian makes a political statement by publicly revealing her status as an undocumented immigrant. The speech starts out with jokes, but turns into a moving performance that’s as powerful as it is fun to watch.

“To each and every single one of you, I say thank you. You taught me that it’s okay to be different and that there will always be people willing to overlook those differences and accept you for being yourself.”

17. Funny Graduation Speech

This class-elected graduation speaker has the perfect delivery of well-crafted jokes and one-liners throughout her speech. She keeps the whole class laughing and never misses a beat.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to pursuing an additional 4-year education – which I can’t afford.”

18. Moving Graduation Speech

This college graduation speech educates listeners about women’s education through the eyes of the speaker, who encountered resistance to seeking an education just because she was a woman. It’s nearly impossible to listen to this speech without feeling moved to take action.

“I couldn’t have imagined attending college, simply because we weren’t allowed to. My sisters weren’t allowed to; the girls before me weren’t allowed to.”

19. Funny Graduation Speech

This graduation speech by the senior class president is humorous and engaging. The class president reminisces with plenty of jokes in a speech full of fun memories and just the right amount of inspiration.

“I know we can all agree that this class is resilient. We survived an earthquake, two blackouts, and Ebola.”

20. Short Graduation Speech

Graduation ceremonies can be long, but the speeches don’t have to be. This short graduation speech uses an “ABCs of life” format to pack a lot of power into a short amount of time. The class president gets wild applause from the audience for his quick but clever speech.

“We must Q – quit quitting, and R – run the race with patience.”

Thank teachers and your parents or other family members for their support, encouragement, help, aid or personal assistance during your years of studying.
Praise accomplishments and achievements of the class.
Reflect upon the past years, what has changed and is interesting enough to share with all?
Mention funny and exciting events, you can opt for funny oneliners or even small innocent jokes, poems or quotations from famous people if you like.
Motivate your fellow students and teachers and professors to look to the bright future:
I continue with the 10 most wanted and popular graduation speech topics:
Give advice, but avoid boring cliches that are totally not surprising.
Entertain by telling humorous anecdotes and vivid stories. Offer an account of an interesting or humorous incident.
Express the feelings of the class. But do not go over the top.
Say farewell to all attendees. This acknowledgment at parting is the warming-up for the next and final step
Wish the graduates of your class all the best and thank them for listening.

Don’t forget to:

Thank the parents and family. Have your class honor them with applause. Not only have they made sure you showed up to school, there’s a host of other responsibilities that parents have sacrificed to accomplish for you. Now is your moment to focus on them for a minute or so.

Thank the teachers and administrators. Each teacher or professor works many long hours that you don’t see in the classroom, and many have poured their hearts and lives into teaching. Take this moment to make it worth it for them.

Use some of my vote of thanks example expressions to feed you imagination for topics for graduation speech a little bit.

Make the address personal. When you decide to make your graduation speech personal, you will experience much bigger success. It will also be more fun to write and deliver a talk that brings high school or college to a close with recognition of the small things in education life. The memories you will run across looking through yearbooks and talking about with friends will be priceless for you as well.

Calm the nerves. It is very intimidating to address hundreds of people in the audience while delivering a graduation speech. Many of us have fear of public speaking. Before you proceed, do this test. And practice the tips.

Consider including:

STORIES Include stories about your school. These high school graduation speech topics can be about teachers and funny things that have happened over the year.

EVENTS Include motivational or moving events that may have happened – perhaps volunteer opportunities that have changed the students’ perspective. Make sure that any major events that have happened are recognized.

Sports and music events that have been important to the school need to be recognized, even if it happened in one of the prior years of your class and not the graduating year.

CLASS EXPERIENCE Bring the class experience alive for those attending the graduation. Grandparents and parents, as well as siblings, have heard the names from school.

Bring the people to the campus life that they have heard about.

DECEASED If a fellow student or teacher has died, mention that person. Make it not a funeral obituary eulogy but recognize them for the family who might be present.

PROJECTS Mention any projects that the school has undertaken; if you have been involved in a community garden or other volunteer organization give credit for the impact it has made.

Pet Peeve Speech Topics

Commemorative Speech

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Inspirational 5th Grade Graduation Quotes to Celebrate This Milestone

As the school year comes to an end, fifth graders are eagerly looking forward to their graduation day. This milestone event marks the end of their elementary school journey and celebrates their achievements over the past years. To make this occasion even more special, let’s take a moment to reflect on some inspiring and unforgettable 5th grade graduation quotes. These quotes can serve as a reminder of the hard work, growth, and friendships that blossomed during this important phase of life. Whether it’s a humorous quote to lighten the atmosphere or a motivational one to inspire the graduating students, these words of wisdom will surely leave a lasting impression. So, let’s gather together and celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable fifth graders as they embark on a new chapter in their educational journey.

Best High School Graduation Quotes

Life is a beautiful, never-ending journey. 5th grade is just another milestone conquered!
5th grade graduation is not the end, but the beginning of a fantastic voyage.
Today you’re stepping into a bigger world, after conquering the world of 5th grade!
Congratulations on graduating 5th grade, this achievement will be the stepping-stone for future success.
5th grade was just the opening act. The best is yet to come!
Knowledge is a treasure, and you’ve just earned a chest full! Congratulations on graduating 5th grade!
Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars. Happy graduation!
Remember, you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose! Congratulations 5th graders!
It’s time to spread your wings and fly, higher than you ever thought possible! Congrats 5th graders!
This 5th-grade graduation is just the first step in the journey of achieving your dreams. Onward to new horizons!
Step into your future with confidence, 5th graders! The best is yet to come!
Education is the key to unlocking your potential. The diploma helps a little too. Keep soaring, 5th graders!
You’re off to great places, graduates! Today is your day, let your imagination light the way!
Remember, you’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Celebrate, 5th graders!

Inspirational Graduation Quotes

Graduating from 5th grade – one small step for you but a giant leap for your future. Be proud!
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Keep Dreaming, 5th graders!
Don’t just fly, soar high, 5th graders! Congratulations on your graduation!
With brave wings, you fly, graduate. You are officially cooler than the 4th grade!
Graduation isn’t the end of a tough journey. It is the beginning of a beautiful one. Start yours, 5th graders!
You’re one step closer to your dreams. Remember to enjoy every bit of your journey, graduates!
Adventure awaits you, brave 5th grade graduate. Keep exploring, learning, and challenging yourself.
Congratulations tiny graduate, your big dreams are not so tiny anymore.
The tassel was worth the hassle. Proud of our 5th-grade superstar!
From learning to read to reading to learn, you’ve come a long way. Keep going, 5th-grade graduate!
5th-grade graduation is not the end of your journey, but the beginning of your beautiful masterpiece.
One grade down, many more to conquer. Shine on, 5th-grade graduate!
There’s no stopping you now, 5th-grade graduate! The world is your classroom.
Success is a journey, not a destination. Welcome to your next adventure, 5th-grade graduate!
The future is as bright as your graduation cap, 5th-grade graduate. Keep shining!
5th grade graduation – Not just a milestone, but a stepping-stone to success!

FAQ 5th Grade Graduation Quotes

What makes a great graduation gift for someone finishing 2023 high school.

A personalized scrapbook filled with memories from their high school years, including photos, notes from friends, and favorite quotes. This celebrates their journey and looks forward to the adventure ahead.

Can you suggest a saying for a fifth-grade graduation card that encapsulates the excitement of moving on to middle school?

“Congratulations on your fifth-grade graduation! Can’t wait to see you shine in middle school. Next stop, new adventures!”

What would be an appropriate message for an 8th-grade graduation card, highlighting the transition to high school?

“Happy 8th-grade graduation! You’ve worked hard, and it’s paid off. We can’t wait to see you move on to high school and continue to achieve great things.”

How can one incorporate inspirational quotes into a graduation speech for middle school graduation?

“In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, ‘What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.’ As we celebrate our graduation, let’s remember that our potential is limitless.”

What’s a short but powerful graduation message that could fit on a small graduation card for a 6th grader?

“Your hard work and dedication have brought you here. As you celebrate your graduation and prepare for 7th grade, know how proud we all are of you!”

Could you provide an inspiring quote suitable for a high school graduate’s yearbook caption that reflects optimism for the future?

“Live the life you’ve imagined. As you graduate, continue to learn and grow. The future is a bright canvas; paint it with your dreams. – Inspired by Henry David Thoreau”

What are some final words for a college graduation speech that emphasize pride and joy while looking forward to future endeavors?

“As we take this big step, starting a new journey, we reflect on how far we’ve come. Our hard work has laid a foundation for a bright future. We step into the world ready to make an impact, armed with purpose and potential. To my fellow graduates, may God bless our future endeavors.”

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I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. – Lee Greenwood In America, you

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Elementary School Graduation Speech - A Free Graduation Speech

An elementary school graduation speech should give thanks where thanks are due, acknowledge accolades achieved, pay tribute to both knowledge and attitudes attained and leave the students with a message for the future.

You can use the speech with a bit of tweaking here and there, or you can use it as a guideline to structure your own speech.

Graduation day is indeed a memorable day in the minds of the students and their parents. You can add to their magical moment and present a short, yet meaningful speech.

Don't be reluctant to edit and add as needed - the more personalized and unique... the better!

Good Evening Honored Guests, Ladies, Gentlemen and of course the Graduating Class of [insert year] .

It seems hard to believe. The year started off at a sprint and it seems to have left many of us still trying to catch our breath. As we looked forward to all the challenges that lay ahead of us, it did appear a little daunting at times - a huge mountain that lay ahead of us to climb. But my, what a wonderful year it has been. A year of challenges met, mountains climbed and summits conquered!

To our young Ladies and Gentlemen seated in front of us tonight listening to our elementary school graduation speech - we are immeasurably proud of each and everyone of you. There were those of you who seemed to have wings and you just soared over the obstacles and challenges that crossed your path. It is a wonderful gift and one that never fails to amaze me. And although, not everyone may have had wings that saw them soaring over obstacles confronted - each and every one of you had feet - feet that you used to climb, bit by bit every day, one day at a time and yes...you all got there. You all achieved your goals!

Step-by-step and day-by-day - your course was steadfast and you never lost sight of your goals. I can only applaud that kind of determination, that purposeful resolve to get where you need to be - even when it may not always have been very easy. Well done - you seized wonderful opportunities, academic, cultural and sporting and made them your own. We are indeed proud!

But, allow me set another scene? No elementary school graduation speech is complete without a story? The end of recess bell has just rung. The Grade [insert highest year of students] 's are outside a class, waiting for a lesson. Along comes a little Grade [insert lowest year of students] chap....shirt un-tucked and socks down after a good game of something that involves running. He sees a Senior Teacher standing next to the class, waiting to lead the class in.

Quite undeterred, this young man walks up to the teacher. The conversation that follows goes something like this:

Boy: "Who are those boys?"

Teacher: "They are Senior Boys."

The boy looking disappointed, but still hopeful: "Oh...I'm looking for a tall Senior Boy ( little arms extended to the left and the right accompany this statement to show just how tall the boy is). Do you know him? He said he would play soccer with me after school!"

Teacher: "Well, do you know his name?"

Boy: "No...but will you find him for me please? Tell him I'll wait for him after school to play soccer."

With that, the little chap turns happily on his heel, confident that the teacher will in fact find the "tall Senior boy" and he trots off to his next lesson. The Senior kids smile and chuckle good-naturedly at the little guy's enthusiasm and conviction.

Ok, so the teacher never did find the elusive "tall one" - but something more important was "found".

It is gratifying to find that at [insert name of School] a Senior Boy will still offer to play soccer with a younger boy because he remembers looking up to the bigger boys when he was just a little guy. And what a find it is when a Junior Boy wants to play soccer with the Senior Boys - no fear...just a little awe and admiration perhaps?

It is also heart-warming to see the complete trust and belief, as our young friend approached a teacher for help in this rather urgent matter, and more importantly, to see the faith that the little guy had in the simplicity of his request, and the faith that the teacher would do their best to help him.

It is moments like these, not only the more tangible academic, sporting and cultural moments that are normally evident - when we are again reminded of what makes [insert name of School] so special. The moments are seemingly unimportant, magical and many - but they happen every day at [insert name of school] .

As you face a new academic year, my advise to you in our elementary school graduation speech is to continue soaring, continue boldly stepping forward, continue marching towards the beat of your drum and may the year that lies ahead be as phenomenal as your graduating year at [ insert name of School].

Your elementary school graduation speech will be even more effective with good quotes for graduation speeches.

Go on - visit free graduation speeches for more ideas on free written speeches. Read them, copy and paste them, tweak them and present them!

Promotion Acceptance Speech

It goes without saying, a promotion is always something employees look forward to. Especially those who have worked for years, and have been working hard to get to a certain level. So what happens if you are chosen for the promotion? Does one expect to say a few words and thank everyone? It may be to some but a few or some employers expect their employees to make a speech . If this is the case, here are some 3+ promotion acceptance speech examples you can download.

3+ Promotion Acceptance Speech Examples

1. promotion award acceptance speech.

Size: 121 KB

2. Reading Promotion Acceptance Speech

Size: 109 KB

3. Promotion Achievement Acceptance Speech

Size: 118 KB

4. Promotion Acceptance Reception Speech

Size: 17 KB

Defining Promotion

Defining the term promotion , this refers to the whole set of activities. The act of inspiring people to do something or to inspire something to happen. Another definition also means to raise someone to a higher rank in a company. To ascend to a better place or role. To be given a better job position than the one they are currently in.

Defining Acceptance

Acceptance means the act of receiving something that has been offered to you. This could be a positive or a negative thing offered. In this case, a promotion on the job. Another meaning could be the action of believing or accepting something that is said to you. Whether this may be a theory or a fact.

Defining the Word Speech

To define the word speech in a simpler one, this means a form of uttering a language or a dialect. The ability to speak or talk. Speech can also mean a formal lecture often given by people during social gatherings.

Importance of Acceptance Speeches

The purpose or the importance of making an acceptance speech is to simply say thank you. To show you are grateful for the opportunity that was given to you. Acceptance speeches are mostly given during social events where you are taking an award or a promotion from work.

Tips for Writing Acceptance Speeches

It is without a doubt that once you accept something whether it is a promotion from a job, or an award for doing a good job, people expect you to make a speech. Writing speeches is easy if you have something to follow or to use as a guide. Here are some tips for you to know how to write a good acceptance speech for that job promotion .

Think What You Want To Say : Before you write that thank you speech, think about what you want to say. To whom are you addressing the speech for. What is the purpose of your speech? Once you have done the thinking, draft your speech.
Draft and Check: Once you draft your speech . Make sure you add everything that you want to say. Also check the tone of your writing. Do not sound too pompous nor too passive. Make the tone sound professional.
Write the final piece: Drafting and checking if your ideas are all in one place, start writing the final piece. This is where you are going to be finalizing and placing your ideas in the right place.
Revision is Key: After the draft and checking everything is in place, only revise your speech if you think there is something that needs to be done. Revise if you think it’s time consuming, if it’s too short, if the tone of your speech makes you too pompous or too passive.
Practice: Practice once you are done writing. Ask a friend to help you with this and let them give you feedback.

Tips for Presenting Your Speech

Once you are done writing your acceptance speech, the next thing you are about to do is to present it. So here are some tips you can use to learn how to present your speech .

Make Eye Contact: The best way to engage with your audiences is to make eye contact. Draw your audience in. Even a single person can make a ripple effect. If you are able to bring one person’s interest with simple eye contact, chances are you will be able to bring the rest of the audience’s attention to you. To do this, eye contact has to be consistent.
Voice and Tone: Your voice has to be loud enough for everyone to hear. But do not shout. Also avoid whispering as this can cause your audiences to question you. Chances are, they may lose interest if they cannot hear you. Watch your tone as well. When you present your speech, do not sound too proud or too self belittling. Keep everything as professional as possible .
Share your experience: Share some of your experiences in achieving this promotion to your audience. Let them feel and understand that with all you have done, you were able to be where you are now.
Share a quote: To lessen the dead air when you make your speech, share a quote or an anecdote that is connected with what you are talking about.
Copy of Speech: As much as possible, be familiar with your speech. Avoid bringing the whole page of your speech in front. Eye contact is still a must here.

Why should I not be proud about my promotion?

Do not be too proud of the fact you got promoted, rather be professional. Your boss has the right to take away the promotion if he or she sees you are not fit for the promotion. Be professional.

Can I avoid doing a speech when accepting my promotion?

Your boss may want you to make a speech or say a few good words. But in case you need to say something, it’s best to be ready.

Can I share my tips to getting promoted to my fellow employees through my speech?

Yes. It is actually nice to be able to share some ways of getting a promotion to your fellow colleagues.

Do I need to sound engaging in my speech?

Yes. As much as possible, engage with your audience as well.

How can I memorize a speech I just made?

Be familiar with your speech.

Congratulations to the people who have achieved great success, and to those who are still on the run, don’t give up. This introduction can also be a part of your speech as you are encouraging your fellow colleagues. But remember, a good acceptance speech comes from within. Be grateful, be thankful, encourage others and simply have fun.

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Oct 14 2014

How to Start a Graduation Speech: Tips for 5th Grade Graduation Speeches

If you are thinking about how to start a graduation speech or 6th grade graduation speech , there are many things you need to consider. If you need to make speeches, you should take the opportunity in sharing an exceptional message. Creating a speech can be tough but with tips, you can get started.

Exceptional Tips For on How to Write a Speech for Graduation

Decide: In writing 5 th grade graduation speeches as well as in writing grade 7 graduation speech , you need to decide what you want to tell to your classmates. It must be engaging and striking for them to feel what you are talking about. You need to make sure they will be inspired.

Use quotes: One of the traditional advices in writing speeches is to fill your speech by using quotes. Be sure you don’t use many quotes, a one or two quotes are enough to inspire readers. You should pick one that is solid and striking.

Anecdotes: You can share stories that audiences will understand. Great stories will capture the attention of your audience. Make sure you can able to illustrate your points without insulting your audience. Your message must be good.

Be brief: You need to say what you want and move one. You need to present a story or good speech in a time limit. You need to be brief and make sure to stay with the time limit. Being brief is important because long speech is bored.

Specific details : If you have a time limit, you need to present only specific details. Avoid presenting broad information because it is not needed. Your audience wants to know what you’ve experienced and what you have learned.

Read your speech aloud : Once you have done writing your graduation masterpiece, you need to practice it for multiple times. Make sure it will sound good and present main points.

In conclusion, writing graduation is not easy and you need to spend long hours to be sure you have created exceptional speech. To make your speech wonderful, you can include anecdotes, personal story or quotes for your audience to be engaged, feel that they are part of your speech and be motivated or you could always ask for script writing help. To sum it up, consider your audience and the substance of your speech to capture your listener’s interest.

Rice Speechwriting

Honoring others: 7 prompts for what to say for rank promotions, awards, and ceremonies.

Rank promotions and special awards—for military, fire, police, EMTs, and other service organizations—are an opportunity to honor the great deeds and achievements of those that earned them. They are also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your leadership if you are the one with the honor of speaking at the event or giving the award itself.

I hope that the following prompts will help you generate ideas for what to say—whether this is the first time you will be speaking or your hundredth at a momentous ceremony. Your words will stick with honoree and those in the audience cheering them on.

Prompt 1: Why is this person being honored? What great things have they achieved? Tell a story.

This advice is straightforward but often times we forget to tell the vivid story behind what the person achieved. Use this as an opportunity to tell, in detail, what the person accomplished.

Prompt 2: What obstacles did they overcome to achieve this rank, promotion, or award? What character traits, skills, or mentors, helped them overcome those obstacles?

Great stories—watch any epic movie—involve the hero (or heroine) overcoming a series of increasingly difficult obstacles. They do this through their character traits, special skills, and oftentimes with the help of a mentor. Tell those stories. We learn more about a person when we know how they overcome each obstacle. It gives the audience an insight into that person’s life, soul, and character.

Prompt 3: What lessons can we learn from this person’s life and accomplishments thus far? How can our lives be better by learning from their example?

Use this opportunity to talk about what we can learn from this person’s accomplishments. The lessons can be specific to your profession or service area or more general for audience members not a part of your group (ex: family, friends, attending the ceremony).

Prompt 4: How is the organization or society better off because of this person and their accomplishments?

In what way is your branch or general organization better off because of this person’s accomplishments? What does it mean for the future of your group that this person achieved what they did? Tie the person’s specific accomplishments to the general goals of your group.

Prompt 5: Who was instrumental along the way in helping this person achieve this rank or promotion?

You want to tread lightly as you do not want to take away from the person’s accomplishments but were there key figures along the way who provided help and guidance? Take a few moments to recognize them (ex: trainers, teachers, managers, etc.).

Prompt 6: Why are you proud of what this person has accomplished? How can others emulate this person’s success?

There are others in the audience who may want to achieve the same promotion, rank, or award, what can they do to be like the person being honored? What are the best qualities that they should emulate?

Prompt 7: What might the audience not know about this person that’s unique, amazing, or just a bit quirky? You can add some levity and humor to your speech if there is something about the person that others may not know too well. Often, people have hidden talents or endearing qualities that you can use to demonstrate that they aren’t quite Superman or Superwoman. Take care and not go overboard but if you have the right relationship, go for it.

How to use the prompts for your next speech honoring someone who has advanced in rank or promotion:

Take some time to answer each prompt as you prepare your remarks for the next rank promotion or award ceremony in your service organization. Use each prompt as a starting point to brainstorm your ideas and go back later to refine them into a structured speech . Some prompts may generate more ideas than others—go with the ones that resonate with you.

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5th Grader, Alex Njoroge, Presents Graduation Speech

Alex Njoroge, 5th grade graduate from the class of 2014, presented the graduation speech in June 2014. Here is his speech:

My name is Alex Karanja Njoroge.

On behalf of all my fellow fifth graders, I would like to thank the teachers, parents, family and friends for attending our fifth grade graduation.

To be honest, school has been a blast. Personally, my journey at Press Elementary began on a warm August morning in 2008. I was placed in Mrs. Pua’s class and from the first day, she worked tirelessly to teach me the alphabets, numbers phonics and reading. Thank you Mrs. Pua for setting a good solid foundation for me. You really made me look forward to come to your class every day. I am sure my fellow 5 th graders have similar stories of a teacher or two who inspired them during those early years to succeed.

Press Elementary has gone a step further in providing additional learning environments beyond the four walls of the classroom. The educational trips to places such as the museum, the President Bush Library and UNT just to name a few have been priceless. Specifically the trip to University of North Texas (UNT) was very inspirational in that it re-enforced the Press Elementary motto “Every Kid College Bound No Excuses”. During the presentation at UNT I pictured myself as a college student pursuing my dream career of being an engineer. My fellow 5 th graders, we should not let our individual dreams of pursuing a career in college slip away. The sky is the limit.

Well it has not been all work and no play at Press Elementary. We have had opportunities to play and interact informally with teachers and classmates. Events such as field day and family picnic are annual events that we all look forward to. However the grand finale was the 5 th grade camp. My older brothers had talked so much about the different camps they had attended that I could not wait for my turn to go to camp. It was worth the wait. We got to spend 2 nights away from home and did stuff like fishing, hiking, kayaking and to crown it all the all you can eat buffet was awesome. Sorry Mom, I like your food but the buffet at camp was the best.

Finally fellow fifth graders, as we look forward to our next stage in life at the middle school, let us commit to use all the knowledge and skills we have gained so far. By doing so we will be successful in all that is set before us. Let us be committed to be the best we can be and make our teachers, parents, family and friends proud of us.

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