Memorable High School Graduation Speeches

Free High School Graduation Speeches

Take a look at some sample high school graduation speeches. The high school graduation speeches are free to use, share, change and criticise!

The first of the high school graduation speeches focusses on the benefits of continuing education. The other high school graduation speeches look at recognising the special people in the graduate's life, coping with change, the benefits of setting goals, inspirational influences, attitude of gratitude, personal skills, questioning the status quo, coping with a school merger, learning from mistakes, responsibility, and being part of the community. All good high school graduation speeches topics.

High School Graduation Speeches - Guest Speaker

Purpose: Education

Theme: The Benefits Of Continual Learning - High school graduation speeches with a purpose are a good idea.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal Ferguson Staff of Bowley High Guests

Congratulations To the Class Of 2008

You have tasted your first big success!! Let there be much, much more to follow.

Like your first golf swing or dance move, once you have that first successful swing you can apply yourself to getting more success and it becomes increasingly natural.

My purpose in talking today is to not just recognise your outstanding success and the awesome talent in your group, but also to look forward to a successful life backed by further learning.

I know from my time at Bewley that it has a hard working ethos. My parents did really like that part! I have never lost that ideal that working hard is a great way to live your life.

The class of 2008 come from a High School with the top educational statistics in our state. Not oanly have you achieved but you have achieved in a very competitive environment.

So, you are ideally placed to learn more and put the knowledge and skills to amazing use. Amongst you will be outstanding people of all professions, vocations, employment and amazing entrepreneurs.

I URGE you now to take those next steps and learn all you can to be the best you can be.

Quote from Newton D Baker: The person who graduates then stops learning is uneducated the day after.

My own story is not so well put.

I left here full of enthusiasm and great grades but no plan to do anything special. I did not realise what I was capable of. Bit silly really, that lack of aspirational goals did not exactly put my mind to great use.

I drifted in to my dad’s auto outlet and although I am very grateful for the job I was not amazingly motivated.

So, I took the long way around education. I studied at night and after a few years managed to get to medical school. After many years of very, very hard work I am now privileged to be your local doctor. I am so proud to serve our community. Believe me being a doctor needs constant study too!

I hope you consider the awesome opportunities that can come your way if you keep on learning.

I believe you will have a happier, more successful, fulfilled life. Indeed I hope you continue to learn your whole life.

There is a great story of a 70 year old man enrolling for medical school. A fellow student asked him if he realised he would be nearly 80 when he finished the course. The man said he hoped to be nearly 80 no matter what happened in the course but he was here to fulfil his dream of being a doctor.

Learning of course comes in many ways:

You will learn for your career

You will learn to be in a relationship

You will learn a sport or hobby

You may learn to be a parent.

Whatever it is you need to keep learning.

Amazingly your brain will grow and grow like a muscle as you continue learning. It was made to seek more knowledge.

I leave you with a great poem:

On this, your graduation day all stand and give cheer
to honor you for all the work you've done to get you here.
As we rise and give applause be sure you don't forget
that learning is not over as your future plans are met.
May you always be a listener and learn from all you meet
always keep a student's spirit and your life will be complete.

So I urge you not to stop now. Build on your success. Keep feeding on that magical taste of success.

You have just begun on a path of life long learning that will be the engine room of your success.

Find your passion and get to it!

Congratulations and the Best of Luck.

The next of the free high school graduation speeches is really a celebration of the special people in the life of the graduate.

High School Graduation Speeches - Student

Purpose of thsi high school graduation speeches is thanks and to recognise the Special People in Our Lives.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal Strain

Civic Dignitaries, Holmes, Nelson and Farr

First off, congratulations to the Class of 2008.

We are graduating today and I feel very proud to be part of The Given High team.

We are undeniably from a less privileged area than many others. In fact Social Economic studies tell us that we are in the bottom 20%.

I know there are some challenges in our school funding and we have to make do without some materials. I know we all face some issues in our neighbourhood with safety.

However, I know more than anything we are proud to be from Givens and are very proud to be graduating from our High School.

There are lessons for everyone in how Givens has brought us up, treated us, educated us and given us respect for ourselves, and each other.

For example, I expected to attend math class, perhaps not everyday, and just put my time in till I could leave.

Was I wrong!

There I ran into the most polite little lady, Mrs Carr. I thought she would be soft and not keep discipline.

Was I wrong!

If ever there is a teacher who showed leadership, grit, determination, all done in a polite way, it is Mrs Carr.

She has pulled every imaginable trick to get us at first interested in Math, then good at it and now excellent graduates.

Why would she care -- well she just does.

We were all inspired by how our forefathers were great mathematicians. She proved we had a gift. She showed we could pass tests. When we were going off track she came to our homes and taught us what we had missed.

All on a teachers pay - staggering!

From Mrs Carr I have learned :-

There is good in all of us.

Believe you can do most anything.

Persist and you will break through the mental barriers that you yourself erect. Those barriers stop you learning.

Once you achieve build on that success time and again. Success is an adrenaline fuelled ride to the top!

If you had to ask me what I would aspire to when I left High School before Mrs Carr I would have said I don’t think it will amount to much.

Now like many graduates I have the belief, skills, persistence, and desire to go for further education.

I will be learning to be a Math professor, that is my dream!

For me education has been my salvation.

In the future I hope to give others the opportunity to do the same.

Thank You Mrs Carr.

Also big thanks to our Principal and the fearless fund raising team.

Thank you to all the teaching staff.

Thank you to everyone here for your support on our journey together.

I will always be a child of our neighbourhood, so please keep in touch!

For the future I would say get out there, keep learning and believe you can achieve.

Your journey has just begun.

I leave you with a quote By Ruth Westheimers :

My favorite animal is the turtle.
The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out.
There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out.
There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them!

Best of Luck

The next of the free high school graduation speeches focuses on coping with change. High school graduation speeches on change can be simple to do.

High School Graduation Speeches - Student

Purpose of the high school graduation speeches is to recognise the High School's Brilliant Ability To Help Students Cope With Change.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal opening.

Principal Morton, Vice Chancellors Hendry and Frattini. Honored guests Mrs Campbell and Mr Flair.

Congratulations Class of 2008.

I am truly honoured to be here before you on graduation day. As I prepared some high school graduation speeches I truly started to know what it means to graduate and also to be at Roxburgh High.

Some years ago my mom came home and announced that I had won a scholarship to this amazing high school.

I cannot say that filled me with joy!

My first thoughts were, what about my friends, what about the neighborhood, was I leaving my local school, how would I get to Roxburgh in the morning?

There was so much to take in that I could not really see how this would help me.

My opportunity to adjust came 4 days later when I changed school. I hated it!!

My resentment for my parents knew no bounds. My dislike of the school and my new classmates was in equal amount.

THIS WAS A DISASTER!!!

I skipped school a number of days and spent it complaining to my old friends. I studied little and I lived deep in my own world of self pity, fear and hatred.

Luckily my guardian angel Principal Morton was committed to my cause.

Unbelievably he gave me responsibility for the school tutoring programme for those who are finding a bit of learning difficulty. He gave me more work! He made sure I attended evening events in collusion with my family.

How I loved them all!!! My resentment shot off the scale.

Strangely I enjoyed tutoring and felt great when I helped someone improve.

Even more strangely I enjoyed the times I had to research and present facts and opinion to class.

Even worse though was I started to make friends with wonderful people.

In my own mind this was a disaster but now it was not so bad. How could the truth be that Roxburgh is a great place with great teachers and great students?

Slowly but surely the truth dawned on me.

I started to meet new people and we helped to coach each other. They showed me the truth, that I could handle the work if I worked hard and persevered. It was not about lack of intelligence.

Eventually I realised that I was good at something, English, and that has become my college major.

So what has it all been about?

Well, for me learning that the truth is something you should seek for yourself. Your friends have their lives and you should give them all the support and love you can.

The truth also is, there are great people out there ready to be your friends, teach, support, mentor and love you.

The truth also is that sometimes you need something to make a big change in your life to get you started. I retain strong links in my neighborhood and I love to keep up with old friends, however I recognise how much I have changed. . As Nelson Mandela said

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find ways in which you yourself have altered.”

The biggest of thanks, love and respect to my family, my new and old friends, Principal Morton, The Guidance team, our teachers and my fellow graduates.

Roxburgh high has opened up our minds to the truth, we can achieve great things.

We must all look at what is possible rather than just see what is directly in front of us. I think my mom did that for me and I hope to do it for others as we go through life. Not surprisingly I intend to be a journalist! What is your dream?

Looking around for the last time Roxburgh High has given me challenges, strong friends, and a lifelong sense of purpose.

Good Luck to all of you!!!

The next of the free high school graduation speeches is from a Commencement Speaker who was a former graduate.

High School Graduation Speeches Guest Speaker

Purpose: Benefits of Setting Goals (a classic theme for high school graduation speeches)

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal opening.

Principal Heath, Honored Guests Mrs Frail, Mr Hubbard and Mr Nicol.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008.

I am delighted to be back at Fairmont High School. This is where it all began for me.

The setting is just beautiful, set against the backdrop of the mountains and the lake. Few schools in the world can boast such a gorgeous natural environment.

I love coming back to town to visit. This small community punches above it’s weight in natural beauty, friendly people and high school achievement.

My time at Fairmont was, I think, a very successful period in my life. I have gone on to achieve pretty much all my goals and I am exceedingly happy running my own business.

Fairmont High embodies many great things that I truly have come to believe in. More so now than when I was here I must say.

The aims of:

• Setting and achieving challenging goals


• Celebrate each success as you go


• Be part of a close knit community or team and help others.

In my time here the high school numbers were falling. Here was a very real funding problem and indeed the future of the school was in doubt.

I remember Principal Heath coming to our house to talk it all over with my father. He later said he was impressed by just how motivated Mrs Heath was, how ambitious her goals were for the school and how determined she was to see it through.

It made me think at the time. I started to learn about setting and achieving goals. This was timely for me as I needed to have direction and I learned a lifelong skill.

My dad, using Mrs Heath as inspiration, was very keen to let me start meeting real challenges. He was sure I would get there in the end.

Now, I understand your need to party today. It is the most brilliant time!

However I urge you to think about what the best way forward is. Your approach to goals should be the same no matter what you are doing.

I know Mrs Heath has driven the school on through tough times and this is now a very prosperous school with top results. There has been massive improvement from the time when I was here.

Just imagine what Mrs Heath did to give you the education you deserved. She raised finance, attracted great teachers, raised standards, improved the building and facilities, involved the parents, fought for everything that is good for the school and attracted pupils from far and wide with a growing reputation for educational elegance.

Also the great Tiger Woods said:

“There’s nothing wrong with having your goals really high and trying to achieve them. That’s the fun part. You may come up short. I’ve come up short on a lot on my goals, but it’s always fun to try and achieve them.”

So to give you something to do over the holiday period I urge you to:

Set out your top 3 goals in clear detail. What is the goal, what exactly does success look like. Be clear what will have happened.

You may be going to college or into employment. Think about your course, job, sports, hobbies and even a challenging goal which will make a difference to you as a person. The latter one could be sky diving or just meeting new friends.

Now plan how you will get there. Pay particular attention to the first few steps. Be exact about what you will do to get started. There must be many opportunities to have a successful conclusion of each part of the steps.

Think through the key steps involved.

Take action today to make a start on your goal. What can you do to get moving! Start the momentum. It is vital!

What can you do to get started learning about your course, find out about sky diving lessons or join a group of like minded people.

As Goethe said, “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. .. There is one elementary truth that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one… Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

As you go check that each step is getting you towards the end goal and enjoy the ride.

This is the magic formula which will propel you through life. Add masses of perseverance and you will be unbeatable.

I wish for each of you to have a fulfilling life full of challenges you successfully achieve, just like Mrs Heath.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about inspirational influences.

High School Graduation Speeches Guest Speaker

Purpose: Benefits of Inspirational Influences (a great topic for high school graduation speeches)

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal opening.

Principal Ayella, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Marr and Mayor Dobson.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008.

Bolton High is rightly very proud of you.

Many years ago I sat where you are now and heard the late Mayor Henrik Andersson speak. I felt great pride that graduation day but was amazed to hear the Mayor actually get my attention and say something that changed my life.

I did not know then how young my parents actually were. I also did not know that they would have another baby who would be graduating today - Congratulations Tommy!

You have all proved that you can get to graduation so well done. Now I hope that you find the inspiration that I found from Mayor Andersson.

Mayor Andersson, amongst many things that day, told us we should seek out sources of inspiration from many areas in our life, not just academic.

I truly wondered what this tall very determined man was trying to say. I have to tell you it took me many years to get to full understanding of his message.

I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IT WITH YOU IN UNDER 10 MINUTES!

You are capable of learning anything, in my opinion. There is, however, a price to be paid to be good at something. You need to earn the right to be good, have respect in your field and use your abilities the absolute best you can.

The price will be your time. That means sacrificing, choosing study ahead of other things.

The price will be relentless dedication, it will consume your thoughts.

The price will be failure. At times things will not go well and you will need to keep your head up and persevere.

The good news is you can cut back the time required, learn quickly and learn better from your mistakes.

So, How can you do that?

First, find inspirational people and experts to model. This will not only make you enormously positive, but also and expert in your chosen field.

Now, with this understanding of what you are about to have to do to succeed, you need to choose fields you are passionate about!

This is not and instant over night magic formula, but it is like a snowball going down a hill. It goes slow at first but gathering pace, size and momentum! Dig in and work hard to build that momentum.

Start with the experts, what is they know, how do they think, how do they organise them selves, how do they learn, where do they get their information and who do they talk to?

They might not be sociable, they might appear difficult but they do know their subject. One day with them may save you weeks of learning!

Model them and learn fast.

Once you have this support you can learn with confidence that you are working well. This can save hours.

Secondly, find people who are just inspiring as people.

• How positive is their mindset


• How do they deal with problems


• How do they tackle new subjects


• How do they stay on top


• How hard do they work


• What kind of people are they

So, who inspires you. They may be a local or an Oprah, Tiger or Michael Jordan. Meet them if you can, read about them and study their words! I like Will Smith as he seems very open to people but also very, very hard working and focussed on doing a good job.

Combine a highly positive, success focussed person with an efficient learner and you have a great formula for success!!

Dig in and get the snowball started down the hill.

Each success will bring improved enthusiasm, a new energy and things just keep getting better.

As you go you are training your brain to be successful until it becomes almost automatic.

Can you now imagine doing that in an area that you are passionate about.. Which area could that be for you.

I think it is all areas of your life! Love, relationships, family, business, sports, hobbies, fun and personal development.

I hope to hear from you all and your amazing stories. You have my website address in the handout. Please, please contact me and share your success. You can inspire others!!!

The very best of luck to all of you.

Once again, congratulations class of 2008.

The next of the free high school graduation speeches focuses on living with an attitude of gratitude.

High School Graduation Speeches - Gratitude

Purpose of this high school graduation speeches is to consider living with an attitude of gratitude.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal May, Mrs Hart and Honored Guests Mr Faye and Mrs Hughes.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008.

I feel very proud to graduate today!

The biggest thanks to the Principal, to the teachers and support staff.

Love to my family and close friends Tom and Margaret, without you I would not be here!

Special mention to my Math study buddies, my weakest subject became my best thanks to you guys.

Consider all that has been done for us to bring us to this fantastic graduation day.

So much has been done for us and let me ask you how grateful you feel. I am sure we all feel amazingly grateful today, has that always been so?

Graduation brings a rush of benevolent feeling and we should rightly be proud of everything we have achieved.

However, how many of us are grateful for the :

• Support when we needed extra tuition and were feeling a bit hopeless


• Coaching to bring us to new understanding and to keep improving our performance


• The extra hours teachers put in to make sure we had the lessons we needed


• Personal help from many teachers


• People who told us the real truth of how we were doing and looked to help us


• People who excelled in their profession to bring us the best education

Just think of everything that has been done to get us to this graduation day.

Going through this amazing list I know brings on a feeling of gratitude!

The school has close ties with a local children’s hospital and when we look at the plight of some of the wonderful children who have a great attitude I just know we should all live with an attitude of gratitude.

So, is living with an attitude of gratitude worth it?

I think it is.

We will love the things that happen to us, we will feel joy everyday and we will enrich the lives of those close to us.

Otherwise life will pass us by, we will forever be looking for the next fix without stopping off the enjoy what we have.

Add this amazingly refreshing Gratitude to our school personal codes of conduct.

• Always give your best


• Live with integrity


• Help others

This is a non stop formula for having a successful life. More than financial wealth alone can give you.

So while you are feeling great with your attitude of gratitude you work hard, but with a smile on your face. A great combination.

You may be away from home, don’t feel despair, loss or lonely, feel grateful fro the chance to improve your independence.

You may start your first job and be finding the change difficult to cope with. STOP, feel grateful for the chance to earn a living and smile.

You may be struggling with poorer grades than you wanted. Be grateful for the chance to show your real strength.

For those who have really achieved, well you are there already.

Now add a sprinkling of Helping Others and you’ll be getting that gratitude in huge amounts. A heady mix for a great life.

Add that Integrity in and all your life people will trust you, respect you, work with you and love you.

Be grateful too for your strengths (not jealous of others) and the opportunities you have in life.

Find your real purpose in life, you have a special gift, find out what it is and be grateful for it.

Find out what opportunities there are for your special talent and be grateful for the chance to live a great life!

How much more grateful will you be than when you have followed the simple code in life and lived with an attitude of gratitude and followed the school code.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about personal skills. High school graduation speeches can be used to boost the students morale.

High School Graduation Speeches - Personal Skills

Purpose of this high school mgraduation speeches is to consider the personal skills you have and will need in the future.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal Anderson, Mrs Nur, Mrs Hart, Mr Flower and Mrs Bale

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008

As you know I am Principal of Hartley College and I am very, very proud to say I too am a Graduate of Hartley High School.

I was educated here at Hartley High, mentored here and played Football here. I great time in my life.

I salute your outstanding efforts, graduation is a wonderful day! I hope you make the most of it.

Just think for a moment about the wonderful things you have learned.

You have learned wonderful subjects like math, English, Art and Design. No just to make you work hard, but to test your interests, see if you have special aptitudes and to test your brain in a rounded way.

You learned to socialise with your peers, how to survive the playground, how to avoid bullying, but mostly how to interact efficiently with people.

You learned to look after yourself, at times separate from your parents, think about your own future, and many of you have Saturday jobs to earn money.

Hartley High places a lot of emphasis on the world around you:

• Locally many of you have been active in helping charities and seniors.


• Internationally the School takes part in Aid work and awareness programs are in action.

So why do all of this?

Firstly and importantly today you can wildly celebrate your success. I hope the party is brilliant.

Also, you are now at that point where you need a broad and also focussed range of personal skills to survive and posper.

Positively each of you can achieve everything you are passionate about.

So first you need to know what you really want to do. Many of you do and many don’t.

If you do, Go For It. If you don’t, don’t worry, arrange something challenging at say a college course that will keep you moving forward, and sharpen your mind.

Next you need to be able to survive away from home.

Think of how a positive, strong group will help at college. We take a lot of pride in our mentoring and assistance at Hartley College.

Think of eating well, keeping fit and loving life.

How will you study, succeed and keep moving forward.

I think from personal experience that Hartley High has given you many of the skills you need. The teachers, support staff, Principal and the education standards get you ready for a successful future.

As a bit of an advert for Hartley College, let me say that those of you who join us do succeed with above average grades, seem more rounded and indeed determined to succeed.

So be proud of yourself , have a great day and be confident that you can handle the next steps.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about questioning the status quo.

High School Graduation Speeches - Questions

Purpose of this high school graduation speeches is to consider questioning the status quo.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal openings.

Principal Macari, Mr O’Donnell, Mrs Nhur and Mrs Lomond.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008.

At school we have lived in the most fantastic world. We have been nurtured, allowed to grow up, loved and supported.

Thanks to the teaching staff who really have given us everything they could. We appreciate all you have done for us.

Thanks to Principal Macari. We may not see you much but your presence has been noted on many important issues. We have also benefited from some great fundraising you did to get us some much needed replacement computers.

Thanks and love to our parents and families. I know my team took the brunt of my nerves some days, I love all of you.

Thanks to the school fund raising team led by Mr O’Donnell, I know how much work you do behind the scenes.

Thanks also to the school support staff. There is always a smile on your face! That rubs off on all of us.

I spent some hours with our Principal when the computer equipment was stolen and we had to raise money quickly. I was very, very impressed by the questions he asked as we worked our way through the possible plans to recover the position. My role was a student representative and I got a real insight into how to handle a problem.

My father was a newspaper man and has long told me that newspapers have long since given up on their power to really question what goes on and to campaign for change.

These things got me thinking. How often had I fought to change anything? How many times have I helped someone who really needed help. How many times have I questioned what goes on in the world?

I definitely don’t mean taking a negative view that everything is wrong. I don’t mean you should stop everything and be a campaigner. I do want everyone here to have outstanding success in their own right.

I mean positively trying to make a difference in the world. Really taking something on and making a difference in the world.

So how do you get started.

I think the questions you ask make the difference. Try writing out 100 questions on a topic you want to make change in.

If it were not for the question, how do we provide a good education for our children asked by an old minister 150 years ago we would not be here today.

Our local hospital would not provide excellent maternity care if locals had not questioned the natal care needed and sought to do something about it.

Our local park would have gone to ruin due to lack of care and attention. Mrs Gibson and Mrs Meade had not brought the families together and questioned local government policy on the park and campaign for funds.

Both locally and nationally people are making a huge difference by questioning the status quo.

Why not make that include us. Imagine 40 graduates highly motivated to make a difference as a team? Unstoppable!!!

You have the power to make positive change, right here on our doorstep we can

• Help tackle school funding
• Tackle tutoring for disadvantaged kids

Help the homeless

• Help keep our streets clean

The list of opportunities is endless.

You are original, talented, powerful, and awesome.

I hope you achieve every possible success in your life and wish you all the best for the future!!

Thanks

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about your New Life. High school graduation speeches should look to the future.

High School Graduation Speeches - New Life

Purpose: To look ahead to the new lives of the students.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal Lukic, Mrs Marr, Honored Guests , Students, Families and Friends

Congratulations class of 2008.

I am delighted to be here on your special day, at the commencement of your new lives.

What a BIG thing to say, New Lives! This is an amazing thing to talk about.

After all these years of study, growing, developing, maturing and having fun. Today you get to come to a Graduation Ceremony and I bet you are looking forward to a party later on tonight! But now someone gets up in front of you and starts talking about your new lives. Could be a bit scary.

I heard the rather excellent student speaker talk earlier about just how much their teachers, family and friends had done for them. I know just how hard it is to really know how much that actually is.

It is easy to work it out when you have left for college though! You will get to understand what exactly you need from everyone around you.

I looked back with fresh eyes on my teachers when I left town to go to college.

I was now alone and feeling it!

Amazingly after a short while I realised I had been prepared for the new life in ways I did not imagine.

You teachers have been there for you up until now. They have also been able to stand back to make sure you could face intellectual challenges alone.

You have learned to dig in and persevere successfully to achieve your grades.

You have learned to study effectively.

You have learned to socialise and form relationships.

You know how much you family and friends love you.

So, as we celebrate graduation day you should rightly be very proud of your achievements. You should also be very, very proud of who you are and what you have.

You are amazingly well laced to face your new lives.

What changes are coming?

You will move out of home.

You have new material to study.

You have new teachers.

You have new friends to make.

There are new standards of academic achievement to attain.

You will be on your own more of the time.

So, how do you measure up against the requirements? Very well I would think.

You know how to study, persevere, and face academic challenge. Just have faith in yourself and you will be fine. That takes care of the academic side.

You know how to from relationships. You can easily meet new teachers and form lifelong friendships.

You have the love of your family and friends. So have faith and you can stand alone at times when you need to.

You can also keep in touch and top up on some of that loving feeling from friends and family when you want to!

The last thing you need to do is cook, clean, wash dishes, iron and well ….. Lets forget that bit and leave on a high!

I know your Principal, teachers, family and friends have faith in you making a huge success of your new life. Now it is your turn to have faith in yourself.

Good Luck!!

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about a school merger. Real life struggles can make great topics for high school graduation speeches.

High School Graduation Speeches - School Merger

Purpose of this type of high school graduation speeches is to look at the impact on the students and how it will shape their new lives.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches openings.

Principal McIntyre, Honored Guests, Students and Families

Congratulations class of 2008.

First off let me thank everyone who has been close t me for their support, patience and love. Mum and Dad, you have been great, Grace, my sister, you have been fun in tough times.

I am sure all my fellow students feel the same about their friends and family.

High school for most students represents a time of change as each on of us grows, learns, strives for good grades and prepares for the next steps in life.

If only it had been that simple here at Delaney High!

I started at Martins High and many of you started at Fairley High. So what happened?

Well the schools merger last year had been planned and prepared for. However I don’t think anything prepared us for what happened.

I would say that it has been challenging, but I has helped us cope with any future changes we face.

Firstly the teaching staff was merged and some of those we knew well moved on. I found it hard to get started with new teachers. However I have to say everyone of the teachers has gone out of their way to help us settle in. Thanks to all of them! Importantly too, thanks for the real teaching work. That has helped us all to success.

The new school set us various help groups, joint activities and getting the know each other evenings. I only used a little of this help but did find it very useful.

Much more useful was being paired up with Marcus from Fairley. We have worked amazingly well together and have introduced each other around. However we quickly realised that we are here to get the grades we need and got down to the hard work and study support that has made the difference.

The new facilities are excellent and we have surely benefited from a new campus with new equipment and enough room for all of us.

The football team has had unprecedented success as has the Chess team.

Some other notable people in making the merger a success have been Arlene Kovac and Mary Ferguson from the joint student body who have worked tirelessly to help us all. They have been a great team to talk to.

Also the new Principal Warrick has been very high profile and that has brought a human side to the change.

What other changes have there been? Well, for all of us more travelling time but let us not say that has been overly difficult to deal with.

For me the only difficult issue was me. I found it hard making the change for a little while but then with the help of Marcus I just got on with being at High School.

So what are the lessons learned

There are always great people around.

If you need help just ask.

You can cope with change by just focussing on the important goals in life.

Meet new people, it is brilliant

You can cope with any change! Just trust yourself.

Coming back to today. Graduation Day for the class of 2008 is a real testament to the efforts of every student and teacher to deal with a massive change and pull through with good grades. Congratulations again.

As many of us look forward to college. We will be leaving home, moving in to a dorm, learning new things, forming new relationships and trying to balance our lives.

Although it is important not to underestimate the impact of the change it is also true that we are uniquely placed to deal with this change.

The schools merger has been great for me and I believe all of us here.

I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you. I do know that life will turn out well for all of you if you draw on the lessons learned here.

Good Luck

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about creating a great atmosphere wherever you live. Guest high school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Community

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches urges students to reflect on how much their town has nurtured them and to do the same when they settle into their new town.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Hendry, Honored Guests, Students and Families.

Congratulations class of 2008.

As Mayor of our town I am deeply honoured to be standing before a very talented group of local citizens! You have made your families very proud and also your local town.

This is a close knit community which thrives on the spirit of everyone who lives here. People make a town what it is, they are the heart and soul of the community after all.

I know you have had to work very hard these past few years to achieve the success you enjoy today.

There have been long hours of study, pressures to submit papers on time, tough exams, all having to be completed while you grow up. At the same time you will have been forming friendships, playing sports, pursuing past times and living daily lives.

During all this amazing effort it would have been hard to notice just how much the local people look out for you, wish you every success and the effort they make to help you. Your local sports facilities, school funding, library and lots more were brought in by their fund raising skill.

These local people have looked on lovingly as you took your first steps, bought your first ice cream , held kindergarten sports day, and rode your bicycle around town. They are very happy for you too today.

You should feel rightly very happy and successful today - you deserve it. I hope you too how important you are to the whole town.

So, congratulations again.

As Mayor my priorities are to create an environment in which the towns people can succeed. Also t create a vibrant and fun town to live in. There is a great atmosphere here.

I know most of you are now setting off on an exciting journey to college. I very much hope t welcome you back one day to live here. You will be awesome citizens!

Some of you will never return and I hope you can settle in to your new town and help make it the best you can.

There is a great quote:

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine Author Anthony J. D'Angelo

I think you all have the skills to succeed any where and I hope your success includes the happiness that comes from living in a great town.

Good Luck to all of you.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about learning for real life. Student high school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Real Life

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches recognises the part the school played in preparing students for real life.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Fratelli, Honored Guests, Fellow Students and families

Congratulations Class of 2008, we are awesome!

Firstly let me thank all our families for their love and support. Also close friends for being there for us.

Thanks to our Principal and teaching staff for successfully guiding us through to graduation. My personal thanks to Mr McIntyre, you got me through Math when I had given up hope.

There is no doubt our school is unusual in its approach to trust and education.

The school has a code which includes integrity and it is amazing what it does to you when you are trusted all the time. With trust comes responsibility. When any decisions need to be made about doing the right thing it seems we naturally choose the right course.

I moved to this school from outside the area. It took me a while to adjust. Being trusted is not always as easy as it sounds. But, I do like what I have become as a result of it.

Another really notable part of our education is unusual lessons. The teachers tell us that you remember the unusual things in life. We even had a pretend Greek Day in Math to learn how the ancients designed the Pantheon. The idea was to teach us trigonometry and show how practical it is. It really did work.

I think we, the students, agree that high school has been great. It is pretty amazing looking back at it!

The school’s commitment to excellent education includes learning about yourself and real life. That includes amazing self discovery classes, weekends in tents and working in deprived areas. It has worked well for us!

So here we are on graduation day. We are successful, happy, educated people. On a personal note I have to say I is all mixed with deep sadness at leaving school. I will miss everyone very, very much.

We are very well prepared to move on to the next steps. We are well prepared to leave home, take responsibility, relate to other people, deal with hard times, and still come through.

We also have a great educational skill set in our study techniques, and sheer determination to succeed.

It will work out for all of us!

Enjoy the big party!

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about powerful relationships. Student high school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Relationships

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches recognises the real importance of relationships.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Smith, Honored Guests, Fellow Students and Families.

Congratulations Class of 2008.

I am honored to be asked to speak today. Graduation Day is such a special day. The excitement has been building all day and will explode at the party tonight.

I have been asked about relationships, quite an intriguing topic.

Although I couldn’t see it at the time my ability to form relationships, understand them, contribute to them and develop them when I arrived at high school was somewhat limited.

I came here at the same time as my long time friend Sam. We have been close friends since we were aged 3.

Looking back I cannot say I sought to make friends with anyone.

Like all the students I was too busy studying hard, attending class, helping out in my parents store, and playing soccer.

Yet as I look back I can see that I steadily became close friends with just about all of you. There does seem to be an amazing bond between people who are going through the same things together.

My soccer team like to hang out together and watch games from Brazil and Europe as well as play. We have a great team ethic and a close bond.

Like all of you as I matured I started to form effective working relationships with our teachers. No more us and them. I came to realise what they do for us, I know the effort they make on our behalf and the dedicated professionals that they are. I really do thank you for everything!

I also noticed how I was changing with my parents and family. We now seem to talk to each other as adults. I understand now how much love and support they have given me - thanks.

So, relationships are at a peak. We are in a great place with our teachers, friends and families.

Celebrating today is a very emotional time.

We now have to face the fact that much of it ends today. Most of us are off to college after vacation.

I will endeavour to keep in touch with as many of you as possible. It is important to me to give it my best shot.

Yet we all know it is the end of many relationships. Our choice of colleges is diverse, our lives will be different and our paths may not cross till a school reunion. Even Sam is off to Boston.

Will this be the end.

It is very, very sad.

For me, I will miss all of you. It is only today that I have realised just how much!

But life goes on. We are maturing as people all the time.

Our relationships with our families will grow.

Our relationships with those we keep in touch with will grow.

Those we don’t see, we wish them well.

We will move on to new relationships full of fun, joy and happiness.

Take a last moment to look around and see all the people who have meant so much to you.

I hope the memory lasts forever.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about your home town. High school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Home Town

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches recognises the real importance of your town.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Huth, Mrs Anelka, Mrs Viera, Students and Families.

Congratulations Class of 2008.

I am honored to speak at Cranfield High School. In our close knit community a special event for local citizens is celebrated by everyone. I am delighted to join your graduation celebrations.

I am very proud to be from Cranfield and very proud of you all here.

There is something special about this town. I have often found it hard to explain why I is so good, but I think it is the people.

All through your schooling each of you here had challenges, fun and times of success. You are a credit to yourselves as you have worked very hard to succeed.

But, I am willing to guess all of you sought help at times throughout your schooling.

Firstly your families have given you unconditional love and support. This is something none of us fully appreciate until later in life. But it is a something to treasure.

Secondly you have been taught b a dedicated team of teachers. These lovely people dedicate themselves to the art and science of teaching. They also put he needs of their students before theirs and that makes them rather special.

Next comes the town. There can only be a few other places that give so much.

The town regularly raises funds for the school. Principal Huth just lets us know what you need and the fund raising activity takes place right away.

The town will help any of you. In times when you or your family need help the town will be there for you. But, perhaps more importantly they have a place in their hearts for you. They love you doing well and succeeding in your academic careers.

Amazingly there is more. Each of you students are from Cranfield. You pull together as students, friends, team mates and neigbors. There is a bind between all of you.

You are forming the type of town that Cranfield will be in the future. It will be an outstanding place to be.

For the future I hope all of you find your passion in life and make your own lives special.

I expect you will too.

I hope you keep in touch. We will miss those who go off to college and jobs. We will love living beside those who stay.

I hope you feel you can get help here if you ever need it. We will always be here for you., all you need to do is ask.

Good Luck.

The next of the high school graduation speeches is about responsibility. High school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Responsibility

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches recognises the real importance of your town.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Ortega, Mrs Ribery, Mr Jol, Students and Families.

Congratulations Class Of 2008.

I am honoured to be speaking at your special Graduation Day. You are amazing people and your community is very proud of you.

This neighborhood was formed manily by immigrants in the 1930s. This school dates back to 1936.

I looked back at the documents to see what it was all about. The then principal and founder wanted to give free schooling in a poor area and give everyone a chance to use their education to make a mark in the world and create a great life for themselves.

I notice they used lots of wording around getting the chance to take responsibility for the individual and their family.

It seems to me they wanted to give students all the skills, education and tools needed to go out into the world and make something of themselves.

My grandfather tells me how seriously the families took education, home study and their pride in the school. It was a wonderful thing.

Your class has the advantage of that original ethic being evolved into your current school with a talented and dedicated teaching team. This evolution brought strong parental involvement inside the school.

Importantly for all of you I hope it has given you a lifetime commitment to education and very importantly taking responsibility for your self.

Whatever happens, take responsibility. Author Tony Robbins

You must stand on your own two feet and I am confident you will all make it.

I urge you to take responsibility by.

Setting out your own goals.

Deciding what your personal standards are.

Deciding to keep educating yourself.

Making a real difference in this world.

By taking responsibility you will view the world in a different light.

What some see as ‘why did this happen to me’. You will see it as, ‘well it happened’, and let’s just deal with it.

What some see as bad luck you will see as opportunity.

Where others wait for life to give them a chance, you will be making your dreams come true.

You will contribute to others.

You will be stronger.

You will not really notice obstacles.

Your own family will follow your lead to success.

It is up to you where you go from here.

Good Luck.



The next of the high school graduation speeches is about learning from mistakes. High school graduation speeches give a chance to leave a strong message.

High School Graduation Speeches - Mistakes

Purpose: This high school graduation speeches recognises the real importance of learning from mistakes.

A formal opening for high school graduation speeches is easiest. You may be able to carry off an informal high school graduation speeches opening.

Principal Ayella, Honored Guests, Students and Familis.

Congratulations Class of 2008.

I feel a little bit overwhelmed about speaking today. High school graduation speeches are though a great chance for any student to express what the past few years have meant and where that takes us in the future.

We all, I hope, feel successful today. It is fun, there will be a great party later. Our families are giving us lots of praise and gifts. A day to ‘treasure’.

I think that perhaps the real treasure is who we are, what we have become, what we have learned, the possibilities before us, and the love and friendship of friends and family. I think that is a ‘real’ treasure.

Before I go on let me take a moment to thank all our families and friends for their love, support and being there for us.

I look back and think over the school journey.

Each year I seem to have been absolutely determined that I knew better than anyone, including teachers. I was a giant intellect in my own mind which lead to many poor grades and bad behaviour. Each year I did not quite sail through the way I thought I would.

I thank the teachers for their skill and dedication. I also thank them for their amazing way of dealing with obstinate kids, getting us to learn expertly and take action to complete papers and tests.

So, looking back I have learned:

To open my mind and learn from others.

To ask for help.

To work together with peers and teachers towards a goal.

How to take any subject and learn it.

What I am truly interested in.

How to set goals and achieve them.

I did however learn all this treasure trove of inspiration because I made some appalling mistakes.

Amazingly once I settled in and used my head I improved my grades . I also notice how much more independent taking responsibility makes you.

With these treasures we can now leave home and do well.

What of the future?

How well will we get on taking the next steps. Well, I think we will all do a great job.

When I get to college I intend to:

Find as great a social group as I have here. That would be amazing.

Talk to the teachers and ask for help early!

Use my learning process.

Set my goals and pursue them relentlessly.

And, mostly pursue my true loves in life. These are strangely Physics, Rock Climbing, and Theatre. An odd mix.

I hope each of you gets to pursue your passion.

I hope each of you uses what you know to awesome effect.

I hope each of you keeps in touch.

As Mark Twain said:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” By Mark Twain