Principal

by Sheila Kribbs
(Sumrall ,Mississippi )

I am a new principal this year at a high school! I just need some ideas for a graduation speech in May! Everything this year is about running the race! Trying to beat your personal best! Competing against yourself! I need this speech to be upbeat! Any ideas?? Thank you!

In Reply

Many thanks for getting in touch. I am delighted to help you in any way I can.

I have some initial ideas scoped out below. They clearly need to have the real events, stories, challenges, triumphs and funny stories added so that the speech is real to the graduates, and their families.
Congratulations to Class of 2015. What an achievement! You have run your own race and passed the finish line.

You’ll readily identify with the race analogy as we have used your own personal race as our way of viewing how you have gone through your time here at school.
Every athlete will tell you about their preparation for their races. They train very hard, maximise their own personal strengths and work on their weaknesses. They all go through difficult times when they just need to grin and bear it, maintaining their perseverance until the end. They work with the best coaches and mentors they can find and get the support they need from family and friends. Athletes don’t just work hard at their preparation, they also learn to race from practice. They build the personal and mental strength to be a great racer. They become positive, driven and clearly focussed on their goals. However they are also human so there is time to have fun, relax and just be themselves.
I can think of no better way to think about the personal race you have been. You have all worked very hard, set clear, personal goals and persevered until you made it over the finish line. I hope you are very proud of yourselves. We have stretched you constantly to be the best you can be. However without your own personal drive nothing good would have happened.

I trust the amazing teaching and support team we have here. They have supported you, coached, you, mentored you and gone the extra mile to be sure you achieved your personal best. I thank them for their hard work and skill. I look forward to working with every team member each and every day. Thank you!

Let’s all celebrate graduation the way an athlete does. Graduation is your own personal podium with a cheering crowd as the national flag is hoisted and the national anthem is played, all in honor of you personally. Take that special moment to reflect on how far you have come, your achievements and what this day means to all of us. This is one of the most memorable times. Of your life!

School gives you a set curricula and you are challenged to race in many categories. The best athletes run only the race that suits their abilities. The marathon runner is dedicated to their race and bit by bit improves. They do not try to be a 100m sprinter.

In the future you have the opportunity to run your own race in an event that suits your skills and abilities. Choose your future path wisely and get the best out of yourself. Remember to run your own race. You will always be in the company of people with different ability levels. Achieving your own personal best is the only way ahead.
Remember the lessons from school. Get good teachers, coaches and mentors. Work very hard and set goals that drive your forward. Drive through the finish line in every race. However also remember to stop after the race, take time to celebrate your achievements and party with family and friends before you go on to the next race!

I have a first and very rough draft here. If you wish, please send in the real stories, events and achievements for this class. Also I would be delighted to receive your comments so that a final draft can be produced for you. Good Luck!

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