Middle School Graduation Speech Examples

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Celebrate the excitement of moving on from middle school with a fun or inspiring speech to your classmates at graduation. Use the example speeches as is by clicking on the image of the one you love to download and print it. If you run into any trouble using the sample graduation speeches, check with the Adobe Guide for troubleshooting.

Funny Middle School Graduation Speech

In this trendy speech, you'll compare middle school to the game Minecraft. Since you're probably a noob at giving speeches, have a little fun with your speech to help ease your anxiety because funny graduation speeches are usually audience favorites.

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Customization Options

By adding in a few specific details and examples, you can take this speech from generic to unique.

  • Provide specific examples of the "blocks" you gathered such as quotes from your favorite teachers or the principal's catchphrase.
  • Expand on what you've created by including examples of group projects completed by your grade.
  • Add in your school's full name and the name of the high school you'll be moving onto.

Inspirational Junior High Graduation Speech

Get your fellow classmates fired up and excited about the next chapter of your lives with an inspirational junior high graduation speech. If you're giving a speech at a more formal or professional ceremony, this example is a great way to show your mature side.

The point of a motivational speech is to show where you came from as a class and where you can go together in the future.

  • Add details about the different social groups at your school to make it more relatable to other students.
  • Give an example or two of something you all achieved together like winning spirit week or collecting donations for a charity.
  • Expand on the storm theme by adding more elements of a storm, such as lightning or hail, and how those can be related to your class.

How to Create a Great Graduation Speech

You can also use these examples as inspiration for the length and tone of your own unique middle school graduation speech. Follow the general format, but choose your own theme and word things in your own way.

What to Include

Every great middle school graduation speech includes a few key things:

  • An attention-grabbing first line
  • Thank you to classmates, school, and/or families
  • Memorable shared middle school experiences
  • How you've grown
  • An inspirational ending that excites everyone about high school

Theme Ideas

Choose a theme you are knowledgeable or passionate about to make your speech more impactful. Include quotes or graduation poems to further connect your theme.

  • Favorite school subject
  • School mascot qualities
  • Pop culture trends
  • School motto or song
  • Things that are in the middle
  • Measurements

What to Avoid

Since you'll be giving your speech to a crowd, you want to try to keep it short, politically correct, and interesting. When writing your speech, avoid:

  • Teasing classmates or teachers
  • Using foul language or offensive terms
  • Giving too many personal feelings and examples that only apply to your experience
  • Off-topic rambling
  • Angry or embarrassing experiences or stories

End on a High Note

You've survived middle school ! End your last days of junior high with a great speech kids, parents, and teachers will remember for years to come. Take the opportunity to look back on the past years and what they've meant to you and your classmates.

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Middle School or Elementary School graduation speech

This page contains a funny sample speech for Middle School or Elementary School graduations for principles, teachers or other key note speakers. The speech template can be customized for graduations from preschool, 8th Grade, Junior High School, clubs, high school or other graduation events as well. This speech is humorous but also talks about dedication and personal commitment. We hope this graduation speech for keynote or guest speakers is helpful.

School graduation speech

Let me begin by welcoming all of you to today’s event and thanking (NAME OF PERSON WHO INTRODUCED YOU) for that kind introduction.

I’m very pleased to have been invited to speak here today on what I know is a very special day. It’s special for the graduates, for their proud parents and grandparents, and for their very relieved teachers. Just wait until these students are graduating college. Then their parents will be the

relieved ones.

As I begin, I have to say, I think the best speeches are those that have a great beginning, a memorable end, and not much in between. I will try then to make a great speech. Today is one of those great occasions when we get to celebrate our young people – their achievements, their perseverance and their successes as they grow up. It’s one of the times you can take a break and reflect, feeling good as a parent or a mentor, knowing that the kids you care about are doing just fine and they’re on the right path.

Graduates, you should know that your moms and dads are very proud of you today. They have high hopes for you, and they believe in you, and you are making them proud by showing what you can do. Take a look at them now, and you can see them smiling and snapping photos so they can record this moment forever. Today is an important day for you and for them. Today they are very, very proud of you. (PAUSE) Today would be a good day to ask for money.

Today would also be a good day to hug them and thank them for supporting you, because as much as this is your achievement, this is also the achievement of the people who care about you. That means your mom, your dad, your step mom or step dad, your grandparents, your sisters and brothers, and all the other people who care about you. They want you to be your best and to live up to your potential.

Graduations can be seen as a coming of age, a sort of official way to recognize when a person steps into the next stage of life, and graduates, you are stepping into a new stage.

With every year, you have become a little more independent. I bet you can still remember your first day here - it might have been exciting and a little intimidating too. I bet when you look at the (INSERT LOWEST GRADE IN SCHOOL HERE, 1ST GRADERS, 6TH GRADERS, ETC) going to class you think, Wow! They look so little! I can't believe I was ever that young! Get used to it. You'll be thinking that for the rest of your life.

But when you she younger students, you can tell how much you've grown up, how much you've learned and how much you've matured. Think back on some of the exciting things that happened this year, all the things you learned. This year, you… (ADD SOME INFO ABOUT THE CLASS OR SCHOOL HERE. TALK TO TEACHERS OR WHOEVER INVITED YOU FOR SOME IDEAS. IT CAN BE FIELD TRIPS, TOPICS STUDENTS LEARNED, ETC. YOU CAN ALSO ADD SOME FAMILY-FRIENDLY HUMOR ABOUT WHAT KIDS LEARNED).

You had some great time this year, and maybe you had some tough times, but you did it and you succeeded. You're ready for that next step. I ask you as you prepare for this next step to do a few things.

First, stop texting your friend about how you wish the speaker would hurry up and finish talking so you could go to (INSERT NAME OF LOCAL PARTY PLACE, MALL OR RESTAURANT POPULAR WITH STUDENTS).

Secondly, I ask you to take this chance to dedicate yourself to making the next year even better. Remember that you don’t have to follow the crowd. Do the right thing, even if no one is looking. Study hard and remember that you're investing in yourself with every test you take and every book you read. And finally, don't be in too big of a hurry to grow up. These are some great times in your life. Don't rush past them.

There are great things coming, and just as your parents are proud, each one of you should feel proud of yourself.

So congratulations to all of the graduates, congratulations to the parents, and finally, congrats to the teachers and everyone else who helped our graduates reach here today.

I'll leave you with this final quote, from a great author with whom I imagine you are all familar, by the name of Dr. Seuss.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Congratulations again, and thank you for your attention.

Did you like this sample speech for Middle School and Elementary School Graduation? We hope you can use it for your speech, whether you are a principle, a teacher or a guest speaker.

Since you were interested in this sample speech about graduations, chances are you will like the following topics as well: High School Graduation speech and Easy Letter of Recommendation template

More information : We hope this page was helpful and provided you with some information about Middle School or Elementary School graduation speech . Check out our main page for more articles here Can U Write .

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Frantically Speaking

Your Guide To Writing The Perfect Valedictorian Speech (With Sample Speech)

Hrideep barot.

  • Speech Writing

high school graduation ceremony

So, you have managed to achieve the feat that’s probably the dream of most high school students: you’re the valedictorian. 

Congratulations, that is amazing.

You definitely deserve a pat on your back–maybe multiple ones. 

But, while this sounds like the perfect time to sit back and relax, it’s probably not. You still have one big task left to complete: delivering your valedictorian speech. 

But don’t worry. 

You managed to seize the highest marks in your class. Compared to that, delivering this speech should be a piece of cake. And even if it’s not–if you’re someone more comfortable with books than speaking in front of other people–don’t worry. We’ve got you. 

For delivering a memorable Valedictorian speech, keep in mind a few things like incorporating humor and storytelling, having a theme, getting other students’ insight & keeping your most important point for the end of your speech.  

We’ve delved into them deeper in the following sections. 

Tips To Keep In Mind While Writing Your Valedictorian Speech

writing a valedictorian speech

1. Talk About Things You’ve Learnt Outside The Classroom 

While classroom learning is something that’s common to most of the students in the audience–that is, all of you probably learned the same coursework–what’s different is the stuff that you learned OUTSIDE the classroom. 

Talk about your personal experiences. The valuable lessons that seemingly trivial incidents taught you, what you remember the most from time spent with friends, etc. Teach them something they haven’t learned before; something that doesn’t involve an unwieldy textbook. 

2. Make Sure To Incorporate Humor 

Don’t just step up on the stage and start talking about a bunch of motivational stuff. If you truly wish to motivate your peers and make them remember you, then you need to incorporate humor in your speech. 

That’s because humor is a universal way to connect with people & make good memories with them. Think about all the good moments in your life, and chances are, you’ll realize you were smiling in more than one of them. 

For Example: “Your families are extremely proud of you. You can’t imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.”

We can also use the Paraprosdokian technique to make our speeches funny. It’s a simple technique which means narrating a story and having a surprise twist at the end. Want to know how some of our most beloved celebrities go about using this technique (and how you can too)? Check out this (entertaining) video we made:

3. Tell Stories 

Stories are another excellent way of connecting with your peers. Especially if it’s a popular story that most people recognize or was maybe quite the rage at a time in your school–chances are, at a time like this, repeating it will work to evoke fonder memories and emotions in your audience. 

So, make sure to use stories in your speech. 

For Example: Have you ever been the new kid in school? Well, I have…

We’ve created an entire video on how your can go about narrating great stories. The narrative structures and techniques discussed here will help you craft a compelling and engaging narrative:

4. Have A Theme 

Themes are a great way to enhance the impact of your speech. That’s because they are a common point that your entire speech is organized towards anything that you say in your speech can inevitably be traced back to it. 

Pick a theme that can inspire your audience. For example: 

  • Why the best years of our life are  not  behind us
  • What high-school didn’t prepare you for
  • Why it’s okay to fail
  • Why not being the top of class is not a big deal
  • Why the small picture is more important than the big picture

5. Talk To Other Students 

Your valedictorian speech is not just a cornerstone in your own high-school life, but also a testament to the life and experiences of the other students in the audience. So, why not include them in the writing of your speech?

I’m not asking you to get another student to write your speech for you. Rather, what I’m suggesting is talking to other students, and getting insight into their own thoughts, experiences & emotions. 

You can use them or the common themes you hear to structure your speech, and even include a couple of incidents or other things into your speech. This will greatly increase the impact that you make. 

Check our article 11 Engaging Ways To Interact With The Audience to make your speech a wholesome and interactive experience for the audience. 

6. Keep It Short & Simple 

Remember that your speech is a part of a larger ceremony that’s taking place and that most people in the audience are unlikely to pay attention to an hour-long speech. 

So, make sure that your speech is short and simple. Stick to the main points. A general guideline would be to have your speech be anything between 5-15 minutes. You can confirm if you have a time limit with the principal. 

7. Keep Your Most Important Point For The End 

How you end your speech is just as important as the way you begin it. That’s because while your beginning will determine whether people pay attention to your speech–or doze off–the ending will determine the takeaway that people return with. 

Your speech should be organized in such a way that it leads up to the final point that you make, which should be your most important point. 

This is going to be the line that people will most likely remember for a long time, the main takeaway from your speech. It can be a quote, the summary of a story or memory that you’ve spoken before, a few words of wisdom, or even a quote. 

For more inspiration on how to end your speech, check out our article on 50 Speech Closing Lines (& How To Create Your Own) l The Ultimate Guide 

How To Start Your Valedictorian Speech 

1. Start With An Anecdote 

As I mentioned before, stories and anecdotes are a must in any speech. And what better way to include them in your speech than have them right at the beginning? 

Stories will work to hook your audience right from the beginning and make it more likely that they will stick with you till the end. 

For Example: In Grade 11, one of my friends started the fire alarm…

2. Use A Prop 

Props are another great way to start off your speech. They are eye-catching, and if used correctly, can create an entire story for your audience. So you’re hitting two birds with one stone!

However, before using props, one thing to keep in mind is to make sure that they’re relevant to the topic at hand. Don’t just use a prop for the sake of using one. 

Examples of props:

  • Your high-school yearbook
  • A photograph
  • A memoir from a popular school incident
  • Your graduation cap
  • Memorable food from cafeteria

3. Make Them Imagine 

Another great way to start off your speech is to make your audience imagine a scenario. By evoking the power of imagination, you will pique your audience’s mind and make it more likely that they will pay attention to you. 

You can make them imagine many scenarios. You could get them to picture the future, or even make them recall a particular incident from the past. 

For Example: Imagine you’re sitting in the classroom…

4. Sing A Song 

This is a different–and somewhat unconventional–way to start off your speech. Was there a song or piece of lyrics that were really popular back in high school? Maybe something that was viral with a lot of students. 

Well, now would be a great time to make them remember it. Not only will this evoke fond memories, but it might also make them join in with you, thus taking the interaction to another level. 

5. Tell A Joke 

Another great way to start off your speech is by telling a joke. As I mentioned, humor is an essential element for any speech or presentation. It can spice up a boring speech, and make a more difficult point easy to remember. 

Start off your speech with a joke. This can be done in the form of a normal punchline format, or you could mix up different elements by telling a funny story or using your prop as a joke. 

For Example: I was good at math, once they decided to mix the alphabet into it. 

For more information on how to open your speech, check out our article on 50 Speech Opening Lines (& How To Create Your Own) l The Ultimate Guide. 

How Long Should The Speech Be? 

As mentioned above, you need to remember that you’re not giving an isolated speech. Neither is the speech the only important component of the entire event. 

Rather, your speech is part of a bigger ceremony that is going to be likely many times longer than it. 

So, it’s important to make sure that you don’t dawdle on for too long. Not only will this make most of the students in the audience more impatient, but longer speeches generally tend to be less intirguing and harder to retain. 

That’s why it’s important to keep your speech short. Preferably somewhere between 5-15 minutes. 

This will give you ample time to cover your most important details, while also making sure that your fellow students and teachers don’t doze off from boredom. 

Sample Valedictorian Speech

high school valedictorian speech

You’re probably wondering why I’m smiling like an idiot right now–and why I have been the entire way on the stage. Well, that’s because as I prepare to deliver my final speech on this stage, I can’t stop thinking about my first time up here. When I first came to high-school, I was a shy kid whose worst fear was speaking in front of a big crowd of people. That’s because I have always been very imaginative, you see. But instead of using my imagination for writing stories as I now do, I used to use it to imagine the worst possible stories and scenarios in my head. And so when I somehow let my English teacher convince me to take part in a debate competition during my freshman year, most of my energy was focused on all the things that could go wrong during my speech rather than the speech itself. You know, like, me stumbling and falling on my face as I climbed all those big steps to the stage. Or me forgetting my speech in the middle. Or me bursting into tears from all the nerves and pressure–which is exactly what happened. Yep, ALL OF IT. Not only did I fall falt on my face the moment I stepped on the stage, but I also proceeded to tick off the other two items on the list–all within the span of two minutes. I was so embarrased that I swore to my mother I would NEVER in my life take another step inside this high-school. My mom indulged me for one day, and then sent me packing straight to school counselor’s office the next day. You’re probably wondering why I’m recounting what was probably the most embarrasing moment of my life on the best moment of my life. Well, that’s because, while at that moment it certainly felt that way, now I know that I’m not alone. Over the course of these four years, every single one of you has probably felt at least once as embarrased as I felt on that day. This speech is for all of you who’ve ever felt so humiliated that they felt like crawling under a giant rock and never showing your face to the other people sitting around you again. And yet, WE DID IT. The fact that we’re sitting in this room today is proof that we did. Despite the embarrasement or fear or regret or failure, we showed up. Maybe we didn’t show up right away, but we did pick ourselves up and got things together eventually. And in the end, that’s what matters: not when you get yourself together, but the fact that you do. As most of us in this room know from experience, being a senior is not all fun and games. Applying to a bunch of colleges, juggling classes and assignments, making sure your grades don’t slip, trying to squeeze in as many last-time high-school experiences as you can in the little time you can find between all them…well, it’s not easy. And yet we made it–all of us did. Graduation marks the close of a big chapter in our lives. It has been a chapter filled with tears and laughter, pranks and solutions, good memories and bad memories, of last-minute studying for exams taking place the next day, running behind the school bus in a seemingly impossible attempt to catch it, of attempts to stifle laughter in the middle of exams, and much much more… I can say with confidence that none of us sitting in this room today are the same person that we were on the day your story began. And all of us have witnessed each other bloom in this journey. And this is not the end–today, the doors to a new journey have been opened to us. And as we prepare to take our first step in this new journey, I’d like to thank each and every single one of the people who have helped us pass the previous one. I would like to thank our principal, all of our teachers and staff, our parents, and each and every single one of you sitting in this room today. Thank you. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been a small part of our journey or a big one, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve been in every single chapter of this book or only a paragraph–it wouldn’t have been the same without you. And I would like you to thank yourself as well. Thank yourself for having the courage to stand up after you fall, and to have the strength to show up day after day. Thank yourself for showing up despite the terrible food–if you can call it that–served in the cafeteria every single day. Give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.

Valedictorian Speech Examples

1. the king’s academy class of 2019.

Takeaway: This speech is a great example of how you can structure your entire valedictorian speech around a central theme to make it more memorable and intriguing. You can use it to select & organize your own speech.

2. La Plata High School Class of 2015

Takeaway: This speech is a great example of how you can effectively incorporate humor into your own speech. Use it to structure the flow of humor in your speech and to understand how to use humor without making it seem too forced.

3. West Hall High School Class Of 2010

Takeaway: This is an excellent speech to figure out how you can creatively use props in your own speech to make it a more interactive, visually appealing & memorable experience for your audience.

To conclude, writing a memorable Valedictorian speech isn’t as daunting of a task as it sounds. For delivering a memorable Valedictorian speech, keep in mind a few things like incorporating humor and storytelling, having a theme, getting other students’ insight & keeping your most important point for the end of your speech.  

Hrideep Barot

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sample valedictorian speech middle school

Mr Greg's English Cloud

Valedictorian Speech

Table of Contents

Introduction

As the valedictorian of your graduating class, you have the honor—and the challenge—of delivering a speech that encapsulates years of hard work, celebrates the achievements of your peers, and looks forward to the future. Crafting a valedictorian speech is not just about reflecting on past experiences; it’s about inspiring your classmates as they embark on their next chapters. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to write a memorable and impactful valedictory speech.

Understand the Purpose of Your Speech

The valedictorian speech is more than just a personal accolade; it serves several key purposes:

  • Celebration : Acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the class.
  • Inspiration : Motivate your classmates to pursue their dreams with determination.
  • Reflection : Reflect on the experiences and lessons learned throughout school.
  • Gratitude : Express thanks to teachers, families, and others who have supported your class’s journey.

Start with a Clear Structure

Organizing your speech is crucial for delivering your message effectively. A clear structure helps maintain your flow and keeps the audience engaged. Here’s a basic outline to consider:

  • Introduction : Open with a strong, engaging hook to grab attention.
  • Reflections on the Past : Share memorable experiences and lessons learned.
  • Acknowledgments : Thank teachers, parents, and peers.
  • Looking Forward : Speak about hopes and dreams for the future.
  • Conclusion : End with a powerful closing that leaves a lasting impression.

Crafting the Introduction

Your introduction should capture the audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the speech. Start with something relatable and engaging:

  • Quote : Open with a quote that resonates with your message.
  • Anecdote : Share a short, humorous, or poignant story from your school years.
  • Question : Pose a thought-provoking question to pique interest.

Reflecting on the Past

This section of your speech should resonate with your peers as it revisits shared experiences. Be selective about the memories you choose to share:

  • Universal Experiences : Discuss moments that most, if not all, classmates can relate to.
  • Personal Growth : Share how specific experiences have shaped you and your classmates.

Expressing Gratitude

Acknowledging those who have helped along the way is a key component of your speech. Be sincere and specific:

  • Mention Teachers by Name : Personalize your thanks by mentioning influential teachers and describing how they have impacted you.
  • Thank Parents and Guardians : Recognize the support from families, acknowledging their sacrifices.
  • Thank Your Peers : Celebrate the support and friendships that have developed among classmates.

Looking to the Future

As valedictorians, part of your role is to inspire your classmates as they look to the future. Offer encouraging words about embracing new challenges and the importance of continual growth:

  • Encourage Lifelong Learning : Stress the importance of staying curious and open to new experiences.
  • Inspire Action : Motivate your peers to pursue their passions with courage and resilience.

Writing the Conclusion

Your conclusion is your final opportunity to leave an impact. Make it memorable:

  • Call to Action : Challenge your classmates to make a positive impact in the world.
  • Reflective Quote : End with a quote that encapsulates your message and inspires reflection.
  • Personal Farewell : Offer a heartfelt farewell that resonates emotionally.

Valedictorian Speech Sample

Good morning, respected principal, esteemed teachers, staff, proud parents, and, above all, my fellow graduates. Today marks a pivotal moment in our lives, the day we step forward from the familiar into the unknown, armed with education, memories, and dreams.

Reflecting on Our Journey

As I stand here, I am reminded of our first day at this school, filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. We didn’t know then that the halls we walked, the classes we attended, and the grounds we played on would become the backdrop to our transformation. From those tentative first steps to confident strides towards our future, each moment has been a stitch in the fabric of our shared story.

We faced academic challenges that pushed us to our limits and beyond. We celebrated victories in sports, arts, and science, proving that our talents are diverse and our capabilities vast. We also supported each other through setbacks, learning that failure is not the opposite of success, but a part of it.

Our journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of many. To our teachers, thank you for not just educating us, but inspiring us. You challenged us to think critically and act compassionately. You taught us not just subjects, but lessons that extend beyond the classroom walls.

To our parents and families, you were our first teachers and our constant champions. Your sacrifices and encouragement fueled our ambitions. Thank you for standing by us through every step, offering love and guidance.

And to my classmates, thank you for the camaraderie and memories. Each of you has contributed to making our time here unforgettable. I am proud to be part of this incredible group.

Looking Forward

As we look to the future, it’s filled with uncertainties, but also limitless possibilities. We are equipped not only with knowledge but with critical thinking skills and a sense of social responsibility. Whether our next steps are in further education, the workforce, or exploring the world, I am confident each of us will leave a mark of excellence and kindness.

Let us take the resilience and adaptability we’ve honed here to face the challenges of tomorrow. Let’s continue to learn, not just from textbooks, but from every experience and every person we encounter.

In closing, while today we celebrate the end of a significant chapter, let’s also look forward to the new beginnings that await us. Remember, graduation is not the end; it’s the commencement of new journeys, new challenges, and new achievements.

Let us step forward with courage and optimism, carrying the legacy of our alma mater with pride. As we scatter in different directions, let the bonds we’ve formed remain strong, and may the memories we cherish today inspire us always.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2024! Let’s go forth and make our mark on the world, always remembering where we began and dreaming of where we will go.

Final Tips for Writing and Delivering Your Speech

Be authentic.

Your speech should reflect your personality and values. Write in a way that feels true to yourself, and your sincerity will resonate with the audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times. This will not only help you memorize it but also allow you to work on your delivery, including timing, pauses, and intonation.

Keep It Concise

Aim for a speech that lasts about 5-7 minutes. Keeping it concise helps maintain the audience’s attention and ensures that your message is delivered clearly.

Engage with Your Audience

Make eye contact and use gestures to connect with your audience. This engagement makes your delivery more effective and dynamic.

Be Prepared for Emotions

Giving a valedictorian speech can be an emotional experience. Be prepared for this and allow yourself to express these emotions; it adds to the authenticity of your message.

Final Thoughts

Writing a valedictorian speech is a significant responsibility, but it’s also a great honor. By following these guidelines, you can create a speech that not only reflects on your journey through school but also inspires and motivates your classmates as they move forward. Remember, this speech is not just a farewell; it’s a celebration of beginnings, achievements, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

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Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

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Crafting an Unforgettable Valedictory Speech: A Guide and Samples

Crafting a valedictory speech

Hello there, future valedictorian! If you're on the hunt for a fantastic sample valedictory speech and helpful analysis to guide you in crafting your own, you're in the right place. Your valedictory address is an important moment to inspire, entertain, and make a memorable mark on your graduation day. Let's help you rise to the occasion with confidence and style.

Sample Skeleton Valedictory Speech

  • Speech Analysis

Extended Sample Valedictory Address

Let's begin by looking at a complete skeleton of a sample valedictory speech.

[Introduction]

"Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone. Distinguished guests, faculty, friends, family, and my fellow graduates, thank you for being here to celebrate this remarkable day.

Four years ago, we walked into this institution, eyes wide with anticipation, hearts brimming with hopes. Today, we step out, our minds enriched, our spirits ignited, and our hearts full of memories.

Our journey hasn't been easy. It was filled with long nights of study, intense debates, exhilarating victories, and humbling losses. It's been a rollercoaster ride that tested our resolve but also shaped us into the individuals we are today.

[Acknowledgment]

Looking back, I am filled with gratitude. To our teachers, thank you for sharing your wisdom, guiding us through the maze of knowledge. You've transformed us from caterpillars into butterflies, ready to take flight.

To our parents, your unwavering support has been our rock. In times of success and in times of failure, you've been there. Your love and sacrifices have propelled us forward.

To my fellow graduates, we did it. Together, we've conquered mountains. And while today is an ending, it's also a beginning. It's a launching pad, sending us towards the next grand chapter of our lives.

[Reflection]

As we venture forward, let's carry with us the lessons learned. Let's remember the value of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of standing up for what we believe in. Above all, let's continue to value the friendships we've formed, and the community we've built.

[Inspiration]

Let us face our future, not with fear but with confidence, armed with the knowledge that we are capable, prepared, and ready to make our mark on the world.

[Conclusion]

And finally, remember that success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Class of [Year], it's been an honor. Thank you."

Valedictory Speech Analysis

Now, let's break this down to help you in crafting your own valedictory address.

Valedictory speech structure

  • Opening: The speech starts with a greeting and appreciation, setting a positive and welcoming tone. A great speech is as much about the audience as it is about you, so it's essential to acknowledge them.
  • Reflection: Next, the speaker reflects on their shared journey, highlighting the trials and triumphs, the growth, and transformation. This helps the audience to connect with the speaker and adds a personal touch.
  • Gratitude: Showing gratitude is crucial. This part acknowledges the teachers, parents, and peers' roles in their journey, making them feel appreciated and valued.
  • Encouragement and Inspiration: This part speaks directly to the graduates, inspiring them for the future. It encourages them to apply their learned lessons, face the future with confidence, and to remember the importance of happiness in their journey to success.
  • Closing: Finally, the speaker wraps up with an optimistic conclusion, leaving a lasting impression. This part is your final chance to inspire and should be as memorable as your opening.

Remember, your valedictory speech is a reflection of you and your experience, so make it personal.  A typical valedictory speech usually lasts between 5 to 10 minutes. This translates to roughly 750 to 1500 words, depending on your speaking speed. However, it's not the length that matters, but the content. It's important to stay concise and keep your audience engaged throughout your speech. Focus on delivering a meaningful, impactful, and inspiring message rather than filling up time.

The sample valedictory speech provided above serves as a concise, broad-strokes example designed to offer guidance on the general structure and key components of a typical valedictory address. In practice, you would likely expand upon each section, including more personal anecdotes, shared memories, specific instances of growth and learning, and detailed acknowledgments of influential people.

These details can significantly lengthen the speech while providing a more personalized, engaging experience for the listeners. The sample serves as a starting point, a skeleton that you can flesh out with your unique experiences and perspective to craft a heartfelt and inspiring valedictory address.

Remember, the key to an excellent valedictory speech is to ensure that it's authentically you. Don't feel constrained by word counts or time limits. Instead, focus on articulating your thoughts and feelings in a manner that resonates with your classmates, teachers, and everyone in attendance. 

The following is an extended sample valedictory speech that provides an example of a complete 5-10 minute address.

"Good evening, esteemed Principal, distinguished faculty, honored guests, devoted families, and my fellow graduates. It is a moment of tremendous pride and a deeply humbling experience to stand before you as the valedictorian of this accomplished and spirited Marshall High School Class of 2023. As we gather here today, clad in our caps and gowns, holding a whirlwind of emotions within us - excitement, nostalgia, anxiety, and hope, I am moved by the collective strength and unity we represent.

Before I journey down the memory lane, allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to the stalwarts of our academic life. Our teachers, who have been the beacon of knowledge, guiding us through the tempestuous sea of equations, literary works, scientific principles, and historical events. They have tirelessly and patiently nurtured our minds, celebrated our victories, and encouraged us to rise from our failures. To our families, the constant source of love, support, and inspiration - you held us when we stumbled, cheered for us in our triumphs, and most importantly, believed in us when we doubted ourselves. And last but not least, to my fellow students, who turned into friends and friends who became a family - your companionship has enriched this journey beyond measure.

Our voyage through the halls of Marshall High School has been a tapestry of varied experiences - a vibrant mosaic of moments that transformed us from wide-eyed freshmen to young adults ready to carve out our own paths. Together, we braved daunting examinations, grappled with challenging assignments, and basked in the euphoria of our collective accomplishments.

Do you recall the thunderous applause when our soccer and basketball teams clinched city and state championships? Or the stirring excitement that filled us during the centennial celebration, marking a hundred years of our beloved school's glorious legacy? What about the intense, adrenaline-fueled moments leading up to the national robotics competition victory, where our hours of toil and teamwork bore fruit? These milestones have not only defined us as individuals but fortified our unity, creating a unique blend of memories that will forever echo in the corridors of Marshall.

Renowned poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wisely remarked, 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' This profound wisdom resonates deeply with our journey at Marshall. Here, we haven't merely been equipped with academic prowess. We have been molded into empathetic, responsible citizens, who understand the ripple effect of kindness and compassion.

From brainstorming innovative solutions for a cleaner environment to establishing tutoring programs for underprivileged students, we strived to extend our learning beyond the classrooms. We realized that while personal success is rewarding, collective growth is truly fulfilling. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got our hands dirty - cleaning parks, initiating recycling drives, and raising funds for the local homeless shelter. And in the process, we discovered that the real essence of education is not just in mastering theorems or formulae but in uplifting those around us.

As we stand on the cusp of a new chapter in our lives, let us carry forth the indomitable spirit of Marshall - the spirit that encourages innovation, nurtures diversity, and champions resilience. We step into a world rife with challenges, but fortified by our experiences and values, we are prepared to navigate it. As we spread our wings to embrace the future, let's remember that we are not just graduates, we are the torchbearers of change, endowed with the ability to make a difference in the world.

To the mighty Class of 2023, we have arrived at this significant milestone through our relentless hard work, shared experiences, and indomitable spirit. We are leaving behind a part of our lives that has shaped us, nurtured us, and prepared us for the journey ahead. We are not just graduates with a high school diploma; we are young men and women ready to use our knowledge and skills to leave an indelible mark on the world.

Let's not forget, though, that this is not an end, but a new beginning. We are stepping out of our comfort zones, ready to chart unknown territories, driven by curiosity and fortified by our learnings. In this world of relentless change and countless opportunities, let us continue to be lifelong learners, innovators, leaders, and above all, compassionate human beings.

So, my fellow graduates, as we bid adieu to our beloved Marshall High School, let's not say goodbye. Instead, let's thank it for being our second home, our sanctuary of learning, and a nurturing ground for our dreams. Let's cherish the unforgettable memories, friendships, and invaluable lessons it has bestowed upon us.

Congratulations, Class of 2023! We've traversed a remarkable journey together, and today, we stand victorious, ready to forge ahead. As we flip the page to a new chapter, let's write a future filled with curiosity, kindness, resilience, and success. Here's to us, here's to our journey, and here's to the exciting adventures that await us.

We did it, and we did it together!"

The extended speech now conveys a valedictory message with detail and emotion, helping to create a deep connection with the audience. This valedictory speech illustrates the power of narrative, emotion, and the personal touch in making a speech truly memorable. It goes beyond the standard formula to offer a personal and poignant view of the graduates' shared experience, making it a suitable model for those seeking to craft a meaningful and impactful valedictory address.

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Good commencement speeches will acknowledge the excitement and anticipation the graduates are feeling, whilst offering words of wisdom based on experience. It's an honor to be asked to give a commencement speech - learn how to make yours truly memorable.

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How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian

A good valedictory speech takes preparation and practice

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The valedictory speech is a staple of graduation ceremonies. It is usually delivered by the valedictorian (the student with the highest grades in the graduating class), although some colleges and high schools have abandoned the practice of naming a valedictorian. The terms "valedictory" and "valedictorian" come from the Latin valedicere , meaning a formal farewell, and this is core to what a valedictory speech should be.

Understand the Goal

The valedictorian speech should fulfill two goals: It should convey a "sending off" message  to the members of a graduating class, and it should inspire them to leave school ready to embark on an exciting new adventure. You likely have been chosen to deliver this speech because you've proven you are an excellent student who can live up to adult responsibilities. Now it's time to make every student in your class feel special.

As you prepare your speech , think about your shared experiences with the class and the people with whom you shared them. This should include popular and quiet students, class clowns and brains, teachers, principals, professors, deans, and other school employees. It's important to make everyone feel as if they played an important role in this shared experience.

If you have limited experience in certain aspects of school life, ask for help in collecting important names and events you might not know about. Are there clubs or teams that won prizes? Students who volunteered in the community?

Compile a List of Highlights

Make a list of highlights of your time in school, putting more emphasis on the current year. Start with these brainstorming questions:

  • Who received awards or scholarships?
  • Were any sports records broken?
  • Is a teacher retiring after this year?
  • Did your class have a reputation with teachers , good or bad?
  • How many students remain from freshman year?
  • Was there a dramatic event in the world this year?
  • Was there a dramatic event at your school?
  • Was there a funny moment everyone enjoyed?

You might need to conduct personal interviews to learn about these benchmarks.

Write the Speech

Valedictory speeches often combine humorous and serious elements. Start by greeting your audience with a "hook" that grabs their attention. For example, you could say, "Senior year has been full of surprises," or "We're leaving the faculty with lots of interesting memories," or "This senior class has set records in some unusual ways."

Organize your speech into topics describing these elements. You might want to start with an event that's on everyone's mind, such as a championship basketball season, a student featured on a television show, or a tragic event in the community. Then focus on the other highlights, putting them into context and explaining their importance. For example:

"This year, Jane Smith won a National Merit Scholarship. This may not seem like a big deal, but Jane overcame a year of illness to achieve this goal. Her strength and perseverance are an inspiration to our whole class."

Use Anecdotes and Quotes

Come up with anecdotes to illustrate your shared experiences. These brief stories can be funny or poignant. You could say, "When the student newspaper printed a story about the family who lost their home to a fire, our classmates rallied and organized a series of fundraisers."

You can sprinkle in quotes from famous people as well. These quotes work best in the introduction or conclusion and should reflect the theme of your speech. For example:

  • "The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." (Charles Dickens)
  • "You will find the key to success under the alarm clock." (Benjamin Franklin)
  • "There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way." (Christopher Morley)

Plan for Time

Be mindful of the appropriate length of your speech. Most people speak about 175 words per minute, so a 10-minute speech should contain about 1,750 words. You can fit about 250 words onto a double-spaced page, so that translates to seven pages of double-spaced text for 10 minutes of speaking time.

Tips for Preparing to Speak

It's important to practice your valedictory speech before giving it. This will help you troubleshoot problem spots, cut boring parts, and add elements if you're running short. You should:

  • Practice reading your speech aloud to see how it sounds
  • Time yourself, but remember you may speak faster when you're nervous
  • Focus on remaining calm
  • Put aside comedy if it feels unnatural
  • Be tactful if broaching a tragic topic you feel needs to be included. Consult a teacher or adviser if you have any doubts.

If possible, practice your speech using the microphone in the location where you'll be graduating—your best chance might be just before the event. This will give you an opportunity to experience the sound of your magnified voice, figure out how to stand, and get past any butterflies in your stomach .

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Inspiring Valedictorian Speech Examples to Help You Write Your Own

VALEDICTORIAN Speech

Most of us remember delivering a speech in front of our classmates during graduation, whether as salutatorian or valedictorian.

While inputting the right facts and research can be challenging, it’s important to make sure that your graduation speech is inspiring and motivating. Afterall, this is the last time you see many of your class mates, so you want your message to have an impact.

That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most memorable and inspiring valedictorian speeches. Review these examples to get ideas and help you craft your own unique speech. With thoughtful words and effective storytelling , you’ll be sure to make a lasting, positive influence to your classmates!

Reflecting on Our Journey

Throughout high school our journey of self-discovery and growth has been a constant.

As we look back on our journey, it’s important to recognize the significant role that memories have in helping us shape our lives and define who we are. What we reflect on can be both uplifting and humbling while inspiring us to strive for further success.

The more we reflect on our past experiences, the better able we are to learn from failures and successes alike. This not only helps us acknowledge our accomplishments, but it also gives us perspective and insight into how far we’ve come as individuals.

Reflecting on our journey is an opportunity to celebrate the best moments of our years in high school, from sports victories to unforgettable conversations with friends. It also allows us to appreciate all that we learned during those formative years that has helped shape the person we have become today.

It’s natural to feel hesitant about taking time out of a busy day to look back on our individual paths.

But it is a beneficial exercise, even if viewing the past causes painful emotions or overwhelming feelings of nostalgia. Reflection helps us fully appreciate what was achieved and reminds us to take time out of our daily routine for introspection.

Now that we have taken the time to reflect on our individual journey up to this point in life, let’s take a look at some of the notable accomplishments made by members of our class. In the next section, we will examine how remembering some of these triumphs can help provide insight into future goals and ambitions.

Remembering Our Achievements

The valedictorian’s job is to honor the successes and hard work of the graduating class. This can be done by looking back at our collective achievements over the past few years.

From faculty members to peers, remembering everyone who contributed to our success encourages a sense of gratitude and pride in our accomplishment.

One option for doing this is by recognizing special accomplishments or awards that were earned during our time together.

Names can be called out and stories can be shared , only if appropriate and welcomed by those mentioned. It is important to check with anyone beforehand if they are comfortable being publicly remembered in such a way.

It could also be done through sharing meaningful interactions and experiences with classmates. Narratives about how we have learned from one another and grown together remind us of all that we have accomplished, both as individuals and as part of a collective body.

Finally, it may be beneficial to recall moments of progress and growth throughout all of our years in school. Celebrating, even our smaller triumphs along the way further highlights the successes that brought us here today.

Remembering our achievements serves as a reminder of all the hard work our graduating class has put into their education and provides an opportunity to give credit where it is due.

Let us take this moment to pause and recognize everyone who was involved in ushering us here to this milestone moment in time. Now let us transition into celebrating our success as we look ahead at what is possible for us next on our journeys beyond this pivotal rite of passage.

Celebrating Our Success

When it comes to delivering the valedictorian speech, an important element is celebrating our success. The idea of celebration can take on different forms, from lightheartedness to a more serious acknowledgement of a job well done.

It’s up to individual taste as to how you as the valedictorian choose to celebrate and recognize your peers’ many accomplishments that brought you all together.

For those who prefer something more humorous and attractive to the crowd, celebrating with jokes or funny stories that have become part of the shared history of the graduating class can have a greater impact than simply citing general successes.

It shows familiarity and genuine appreciation for the special moments you’ve had with your peers that has led to your combined achievement.

Others may choose a more solemn tone, thanking their entire class for their hard work and dedication over the years which enabled them all to come so far in their respective fields.

This kind of approach also has its merits, as it adds a level of gravity to the speeches, conveying real admiration and gratitude amongst graduating students.

No matter which route one takes, celebrating success has long been an integral component in setting graduation ceremonies apart from everyday life.

As such, valedictorians do not only recognize the accomplishment of graduating classes but also the memories and stories held within their hearts that made it meaningful. Following this section about celebrating our successes, we’ll now discuss how we can look ahead to the future.

Looking Ahead to the Future

It’s perfectly natural to spend some time looking back and reflecting on our successes during the past few years, but when it comes to speeches, valedictorians should also look ahead.

Looking ahead creates a sense of direction and hope that can be shared with the other graduates, reminding them of all of the future possibilities that lie ahead. It also helps to encourage graduates to set goals for themselves and strive for a brighter future.

When talking about the future, many people have conflicting views on whether tackling hard challenges or taking risks should be considered a positive outlook.

On one hand, some would argue that taking risks can lead to incredible rewards and great opportunities. On the other hand, others may point out that the cost of taking too big of a risk can be very costly in terms of time and money spent.

However, instead of debating which side is right or wrong in this scenario, it is more important to focus on how graduates can prepare themselves for whatever life may bring their way.

Valadictorians can use their speech as an opportunity to challenge their peers by inspiring them to make proactive steps towards achieving their dreams – no matter what obstacles they may face along the way.

This may include setting goals apart from just focusing on academic performance; such as staying active, forming meaningful relationships and continuing to learn new skills.

Furthermore, valedictorians can talk about any struggles or set-backs they faced during their journey and about how perseverance eventually played a role in helping them reach their desired outcome – which could serve as an inspiration for those listening .

Overall, by looking ahead and encouraging their peers not just to take risks but find ways to proactively approach their future endeavors, valedictorians can get across an important message – even if it’s through leaving a graduation ceremony with mostly unanswered questions – that they are ready for the next step and up for the challenge.

With these thought processes in mind, let’s now look towards how we as individuals can set goals and understand the power of embracing each challenge head-on.

Setting Goals and Embracing the Challenge

It is no secret that words have the power to both motivate and to inspire. As graduating seniors, now is the time to reflect on our successes, our failures, and the many challenges we have faced in high school.

It can be easy to move onto the next step in life while leaving the past behind us; however, it is important that we acknowledge our individual growth and progress.

Having goals helps us to stay focused on what we set out to achieve. Presenting a detailed outline of your life’s purpose can help to keep you motivated and inspired throughout future milestones.

Remind your classmates that setting goals is essential for any success and should include listed plans; such as attainable academic objectives, personal fitness goals, financial milestones and career aspirations. Making achievable short-term objectives also allows you reflect on your progress as you reach them one by one.

Embracing challenge gives us an opportunity to enhance skills , learn from our mistakes, gain mental strength and resilience, improve problem solving capabilities and explore new ideas that just may lead to something great.

Even though a challenge may be uncomfortable or difficult, sometimes taking risks are necessary for growth. Highlight those times when everyone tried something unexpected out of their comfort zones and how they overcame their fears into becoming confident individuals who tackled anything that came their way because they weren’t afraid of failing.

Demonstrating this important message will help your classmates recognize that push through hard things in life; there are so many more opportunities waiting for them once they continue down this path in life until eventually reaching their end goal!

Through setting achievable goals paired with embracing the challenge of not knowing the outcome, we can take control of our own paths rather than allowing our futures to follow whatever route happens along the way.

Let your classmates know that every step taken in order to achieve something great adds up over time which is why it’s important not to give up no matter how long or hard it may seem! Now onto saying goodbye…

Saying Goodbye to Our Classmates

Saying goodbye to our classmates can be a hard task for any valedictorian speaker. On one hand, we want to express our gratitude for all the time shared together and the memories created. We have supported one another through difficult times and celebrated our successes together.

All of these experiences have brought us closer and given us the strength to overcome anything that comes our way.

On the other hand, some may argue that it is important to move on from this chapter in life and looking forward to what lies ahead in the future.

After all, every good ending paves the way for new beginnings and this could very well be a start of something great. It’s essential to take all these emotions while saying goodbye – sadness, happiness, excitement – and expressing them through an emotional yet motivating valedictorian speech tailored specifically to your graduating class.

These arguments aside, a valedictorian speech is not complete without expressing both appreciation and hopefulness of what lies ahead. To craft a memorable farewell speech that resonates with your classmates, you must include everything mentioned above and show your utmost sincerity in thanking your peers.

Armed with these sentiments, you can now put pen to paper for an example valedictorian speech that is sure to capture and move your entire audience.

An Example Valedictorian Speech

An example of a valedictorian speech can illustrate the harmonious combination of humor and humility, storytelling and self-reflection that creates an inspiring speech.

One such valedictorian speech was delivered by Valedictorian Avery June of Elmore County High School, who told moving stories about growing up in rural Alabama and the profound impact her teachers had on her success.

She poignantly noted that while she had pride in her own accomplishments, they were only part of her journey. Her understanding of the influence of her teachers and peers was instrumental in creating a sense of community and school spirit.

At the same time, not all good valedictorian speeches will be purely reflective or serious. There is a place for levity and humor, as demonstrated by another example valedictorian speech – given by Australian Valedictorian Tom Alchin from St Ives High School – which bravely mocked both himself and his school’s teachers to much applause.

He reminded the entire assembly of their shared accomplishments despite any internal disagreements – ultimately leading to contagious positivity and celebration. By using a humorous approach , he embodied the spirit of togetherness amidst any differences between individuals at the school.

These examples show how effective an inspiring valedictorian speech can be when rendered correctly – walking a fine line between self-reflection and levity without sacrificing either ambition or collaboration.

From these examples we can see how a valedictorian speech can set the tone for celebration while showing admiration for our schools’ greatest resource – its people.

In the next section, we’ll explore further examples which showcase proud alumni stories as well as advice on representing our schools with pride during a valedictorians speech. With this in mind, let us turn to exploring how we can be proud ambassadors for our schools during our own special day.

Being Proud of Our School

When it comes to delivering a powerful valedictorian speech, there is nothing more powerful than a heartfelt thanks and recognition of the school that you attended.

Every academic institution has unique features that set it apart from other schools, and as such, being proud of your school should play a prominent role in any valedictorian speech.

While everyone takes pride in their individual successes, acknowledging one’s school can be just as important—possibly even more important. Students should take time out of their speech to thank their school, students, teachers, administrators, and staff.

Doing so will provide an opportunity to show gratitude, recognize all those who have helped along the way, and provide an optimistic outlook of what the future holds for each student’s home school.

In addition to thanking components of the school community, valedictorians should also use their speech as an opportunity to speak about specific qualities about their home institution that makes it special.

Depending on the size or focus of the school (i.e., public vs. private), there may be some unique aspects worth mentioning from curriculum to diversity. Being able to recognize these qualities during a person’s valedictorian speech will serve as a direct compliment to the entire school community and provide validation for all its efforts.

It is important for a valedictorian to keep in mind though that not every criticism leveled against one’s school needs to be addressed during this time—instead, focus solely on what makes it great and why you chose to spend your time there.

Bring up positive stories or anecdotes if pertinent and while providing constructive criticism can be useful in other contexts and situations like alumni mentorship panels or boards of trustees meetings, remember that using your valedictorian speech is not really the place or time for it.

At the end of the day, no matter how much one does or does not agree with certain aspects of their school’s policies or traditions taking pride in where one went to high school should be sincere and heartfelt before anything else. With this in mind, being proud of our school should be at the center of any inspiring valedictorian speech!

In conclusion, crafting a memorable valedictorian speech can be an intimidating task. However, taking the time to plan out your speech and focus on elements such as tone , storytelling, and timing can help to make your valedictorian speech stand out.

Additionally, you should consider practicing in front of an audience or recording yourself ahead of time so that you can get comfortable with delivering your speech in front of a larger group.

Ultimately, a great valedictorian speech will take time and effort. But by utilizing inspiring valedictorian speeches as examples and paying close attention to the style and delivery of your own speech, you’ll be able to craft a meaningful and memorable valedictorian address for all to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses

What is the expected format of a valedictorian speech.

The typical format for a valedictorian speech is to first thank everyone involved in making the event possible and congratulate fellow classmates on their accomplishments. This can be followed by a brief reflection on the past four years, including any challenges that have been faced, before transitioning into an inspirational message about the future. The conclusion should include a memorable quote or saying to sum up the main themes of the speech.

In terms of structure, it is important to begin with an attention-grabbing statement , introduce topics in an organized manner, use vivid language and thought-provoking examples, and end with a strong conclusion . Additionally, it is important to vary sentence length and speak at a moderate pace so that your audience will remain engaged and follow your message.

How can I make sure my valedictorian speech is effective and impactful?

Making sure your valedictorian speech is effective and impactful requires you to be organized and creative. Before writing a word, brainstorm themes that represent your personal experience in the best light. Once you’ve identified your core message, you can begin structuring the speech in three parts: an opening statement, the body of the speech, and a closing.

When crafting your opening statement, use humor and heartwarming anecdotes to grab the audience’s attention. Opening statements should have a strong emotional connection with everyone in attendance.

The body of the speech should emphasize your core message by examples from your own life or experiences in high school. Try using visual aids such as pictures or videos to drive home key points in your presentation. Additionally, include quotes from educators, authors, politicians, or other influential figures to add depth to your delivery.

Finally, wrap up with a call-to-action for attendees to take away from the ceremony. End by expressing gratefulness for being selected valedictorian, for having been granted the opportunity to attend school with peers and teachers who have shaped their journey thus far.

By building an emotional base at the beginning of the speech and staying organized throughout, you can ensure that your valedictorian speech is both effective and impactful – regardless of how many people are present!

What are some tips for writing a valedictorian speech?

1. Think carefully about your topic. Consider what would be meaningful and inspiring to your classmates as they prepare to transition into the future. Take time to brainstorm ideas and narrow down your focus until you come up with something that stands out.

2. Get organized. Once you have chosen a topic , create an outline that divides your speech into sections, beginning with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Develop your main points and make sure that each one is addressed within each section of the outline .

3. Start writing as soon as possible. Begin drafting the body of your speech , utilizing concrete examples when possible to make it relatable and memorable for your peers. You can always edit your work later, but getting started is key in order to finish on time.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to teachers or other members of the school community who may have advice or feedback on how you can improve your speech before delivering it. Even if they are not familiar with valedictorian speeches specifically, they may be able to provide insights on writing or public speaking in general that will benefit you as you create your address.

5. Practice, practice, practice ! Rehearse your speech in front of friends and family until you are comfortable speaking it aloud from memory; this will help build confidence and give you the chance to iron out any issues before taking the stage at graduation day .

Amazing Valedictorian Speech Examples & Tips

Memorable valedictorian speech examples (+ tips & ideas).

Becoming a valedictorian and giving a speech in front of other fellow graduates is a great honor. On the flip side, drafting a memorable speech that the audience will remember for a long time is a huge stress. You need to reflect about four years in high school, choose a theme that will resonate with others, and keep the audience engaged during the entire speech.

To make things easier for you, in this post, our pro speechwriters share the secrets for writing a perfect speech for your graduation ceremony.

Keep reading to find out:

  • tips & tricks for writing a great valedictorian speech,
  • two speech examples for your inspiration, and
  • recommendations for polishing your delivery.

Are you too stressed to write your high school graduation speech? No worries - our experienced speech writers can craft your text from scratch or revise it. We prepare witty, inventive, and attention-grabbing speeches even if you need them by tomorrow. Contact us ASAP to get a free quote and your special student discount!

Good valedictorian speech examples

If you're not sure where to get started, take a look at the example valedictorian speeches to get inspired:

Source:  https://www.sampletemplates.com/business-templates/valedictorian-speech-examples.html

This speech reflects on the unique experience of everyone present and the importance of seeing each day as a learning experience. It also has an inspirational note, encouraging the classmates not to let our self-doubt stand in front of the new opportunities. As any other valedictorian address, it expresses gratitude to teachers, peers, parents, and faculty, and mentions that graduation is only the start of an exciting life.

Source:  https://www.docformats.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Graduation-Speech.png

This concise valedictorian speech congratulates proud graduates and is less formal than the previous one. It emphasizes the importance of education and academic excellence, as well as the friends you made in high school, and ends on a high note, congratulating peers on graduation day and encouraging them to take any path that students want in life.

You can use these examples to get an idea of how to organize your text and what to add. Below, we'll share tips and guidance for writing memorable, inventive valedictorian speeches.

What to say in your graduation speech: Tips & strategies

Good valedictorian speeches share some common elements. They express gratitude for being invited to speak, reflect on shared memories of school days, and look forward to the next phase of life. Here's how to craft a strong high school graduation speech:

Begin with a welcome and gratitude

The opening of your valedictorian speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation, so it's essential to grab your audience's attention from the start.

Begin your speech by thanking everyone who helped you achieve something in life and guided you along the journey - teachers, students, and parents. This will set a humble, appreciative tone. Congratulate fellow students on their big day and start with an anecdote or an interesting fact.

Choose a theme for your valedictorian speech

Good speeches have a central element that sets the tone. You may use one element for the entire graduation speech, or use two or three, just be sure to keep your speech concise. Reach out to other presenters to make sure that they don't use the same theme as you, otherwise the audience will be bored. Here are some popular valedictorian speech perspectives you can use:

  • friends and friendship
  • shared memories
  • overcoming obstacles and failures
  • advice to achieve success
  • importance of gratitude
  • stories about classmates, etc.

Mention collective experiences

After four years in high school, you and your classmates surely have some interesting stories and experiences. Consider telling about challenges you faced, anecdotes, or stories about important milestones. You can mention both achievements and learning experiences.

Sharing such stories will make your speech personal and human, and also will remind your friends and teachers about the most memorable moments.

Use inspiring quotes

Every great valedictorian speech quotes some accomplished person: Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rawling, Steve Jobs, etc. A relevant quote helps inspire the audience, better get your message across and surely draws the attention. Use quotes related to education, achievements, professional development, staying true to yourself, and overcoming setbacks.

Reflect on challenges you faced

Your graduating class surely had its fair share of challenges. Recollect the obstacles that the entire class or several students faced and how they overcame these challenges in your valedictorian speech. Such stories highlight resilience and determination, and show the life lessons you learned.

Similarly, you can tell about the shared triumph - winning in the contest or achieving a big goal together. Just be sure to pick stories that matter to your classmates and resonate with everybody. Such stories will inspire your peers to do better and overcome adversity in the future.

Storytelling techniques make any speech better. They keep the audience engaged and make people relate to your message. Weaving in inspirational stories will also remind your peers about the friendship and the importance of events they had together.

Look into the future

Graduating from school is not the end of your academic journey. In addition to reflecting on the past, a good valedictorian speech also looks positively in the future. Encourage your classmates to embrace change, pursue their dreams fearlessly, and make a positive impact on the world. No matter what path they choose, wish well to everyone in your graduating class and express hope for a great future.

Mention the importance of developing their talents and gaining knowledge for achieving success in life. Encourage everyone to grow professionally and personally. Everybody has the power to make a difference, so, you might want to make this a central element of your speech.

End on a positive note

At the end of the speech, recap the key points and remarkable moments you've shared in your address. Remind the audience about the amazing journey you had together. You don't know if you'll cross paths with your classmates and whether you'll go to the same university. So, wish them luck in all future endeavors and thank them for the time spent together.

Consider adding an inspiring call to action as well. Encourage your friends to pursue their dreams, realize their potential, and stay true to themselves. This will leave your audience with a closing statement that exudes optimism for the future and the great opportunities it holds.

Practice delivering your speech

Your valedictorian speech won't captivate the hearts of the audience if you don't show genuine emotions and read it from paper. After you've written your speech, take some time to polish your delivery. Practice speaking it at home in front of the mirror, or deliver the speech to your friends and family.

Watch your body language and use gestures.

Speak in front of the mirror to control your gestures, facial impressions, and other elements of body language. Use specific hand movements, facial expressions, and posture to enhance your message and connect better with the audience. Make sure that your posture and face are consistent with what you are saying.

Pay attention to your vocal delivery.

Use appropriate pauses and variations of tone to make your speech not only informative, but also emotional. Practice speaking in the microphone to choose the appropriate volume of your speech. Record yourself to see shortcomings in your delivery and fix them. Use a positive, hopeful tone to inspire your classmates and leave a lasting impression.

Maintain eye contact.

When delivering your valedictorian speech, you'll need to maintain eye contact to keep your audience engaged. Learn to scan the room and make eye contact with different sections of the audience. If this sounds challenging at first, try looking at the most distant person in the hall and speaking to them.

Mistakes to avoid when delivering your valedictorian speech

When it comes to delivering a stellar valedictorian speech, content and delivery are equally important. Be sure to avoid these common mistakes to leave a lasting impression:

  • Don't read your speech  - while using speaker's notes is okay, reading from paper makes a poor impression. It shows your fellow graduates that you didn't take enough time to rehearse and practice.
  • Don't rush  - some people start speaking faster when they get nervous. Yet, there's a risk that the audience miss the content of your speech. Practice to maintain a steady pace so that everyone understands your message.
  • Don't use little-known facts  - in your speech, use stories that most graduates know and will find relatable. Sharing a story about your friend that anyone knows isn't likely to sound impressive.
  • Don't keep it too formal  - leaving high school is an important emotional moment, so being too reserved can spoil the moment. Use genuine emotions when crafting your valedictorian speech - they will surely resonate with the audience.
  • Don't overuse cliches  - each bad valedictorian speech is full of cliches. To make your speech memorable, use authentic stories and vivid language. If you struggle to pick the right words, consider working with a speechwriter.

By following these tips, you'll craft a valedictorian speech that reflects your shared journey, motivates your classmates for great things in life, and leaves everyone uplifted and inspired. So, encourage your classmates to strive for excellence in everything and highlight the potential of each individual.

Use storytelling techniques, show genuine emotions, and use an enthusiastic tone to get your speech remembered by everyone.

Let our valedictorian speech experts help and impress your graduating class

Writing and delivering a valedictorian speech is a responsible task. If you feel the pressure or your perfectionism gets in the way, consider getting help from a talented speechwriter. At SpeechPaths, we prepare affordable speeches for any special occasion, including high school graduation.

You'll work one-on-one with a pro writer who will find the right words and use storytellin

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How to Write a Valedictorian Speech

Last Updated: December 10, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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 1,154,338 times.

Giving your valedictorian or graduation speech at the end of your time at high school is both an exciting and sometimes daunting task, and it is one that most speech givers relish. Its aim is to provide a persuasive, moving, and ultimately uplifting speech. You want to give your listeners a fond farewell to high school, and also inspire them to go out and achieve greatness. That's quite a task for a speech giver in just one address. You can do it, though, as long as you plan and prepare your address before you get up to speak.

Planning Your Speech

Step 1 Read other graduation speeches.

  • Steve Jobs at Stanford in 2005
  • J.K. Rowling at Harvard in 2008
  • David Foster Wallace at Kenyon in 2009

Step 2 Find a theme.

  • “Find and follow your passion”
  • “You do not need to be perfect”
  • “If you think and believe you can, you can”
  • “Try selflessness and give back”

Step 3 Make an outline.

  • Your outline should include multiple parts, sections, and subsections.

Step 4 Talk to other students.

  • Note any themes or trends amongst the students. Find the most common and important ones, and stick with those.
  • Don't forget the smaller memories and lesser-known stories. Mentioning them during your speech will help make those people feel noticed.

Step 5 Remember your audience.

  • If you aren’t sure how your speech will go, think about if you were listening to it. Is this the kind of speech you would like to hear at your graduation? [5] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
  • If you’re not sure you would enjoy it, your fellow students probably won’t either.

Step 6 Keep it short.

  • Talk to your principal or teachers to get a sense of how much time you have. If they don’t have good guidelines, 5 to 10 minutes should be more than enough.
  • The average speaker reads about 120 words in a minute. That is a little less than 1 page of double-spaced,16-point font, which you’ll want because it is easier to read. [7] X Research source

Step 7 Put your most important message at the end.

  • Keep the message short, brief and to the point. This will make it easier to remember.
  • Your message does not have to be philosophical or mundane. It can be humorous.

Including Important Parts

Step 1 Thank people.

  • One way to make this more accessible to the rest of the class is to finish this section by encouraging or reminding the other graduates to thank someone too.

Step 2  Include a...

  • One style of joke is the funny inspirational quote, like Will Rogers’s “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there,” or Ben Franklin’s “You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.” These clever lines can be a good start to a speech, introducing your big theme. [10] X Research source
  • Look for funny stories specific to your school. These can help personalize your speech, and reference things that most of the audience will recognize. You can make fun of school construction that was “building the future one closed hallway at a time.”
  • You only need to include a few jokes. This is a valedictorian speech, not an audition for your stand-up comedy career.
  • Remember to write them down and rehearse them just like the rest of your speech. You don’t stumble over the punchlines or forget how they go on the big day.
  • Keep it clean. Your audience will include teachers, parents, grandparents, and siblings, including your own, so make sure your jokes are appropriate for all.

Step 3 Reflect on the past.

  • Make sure you mention specific accomplishments. Look for sports championships, awards, charity events, anything that you or your classmates accomplished during your time in high school. The more examples you can include that don’t involve you, the better. You are celebrating your whole class’ accomplishments, not just your own.

Step 4 Talk about what comes next.

  • As the valedictorian, you are probably going on to college after graduating. That may not be true for everyone in your class, so don’t forget to mention other possible avenues like getting a job or serving in the military.
  • If you aren’t sure what kinds of things your classmates are doing after graduation, that’s a great thing to ask when you talk to them.

Step 5 Tell a personal story.

  • If you don’t have a specific funny story about you or your friends, consider talking about how you’ve changed over your time in high school. Think about how you felt when you started as a freshman, how you got lost in the large school, or couldn’t reach your locker. A personal story is also a good way to add a little self-deprecating humor, as long as you are comfortable telling a story where you don’t look brilliant or cool.

Step 6 Avoid cliches.

  • This means quotes too. One or two good quotes from famous people can be useful, as long as they relate directly to your main point. Remember that people want to hear you talk, not recite a list of famous lines.

Delivering Your Speech

Step 1 Practice your speech.

  • If you can, recreate the setting as much as possible. Wear your cap and gown so you will be comfortable in them, and practice at the podium or where the graduation is, if possible. The more familiar you are with the setting, the more comfortable you will be in giving your speech.

Step 2  Keep it...

  • Letting one or two tears out can be fine. You can always pass it off by blaming allergies, or make a joke about it being dusty in the room.

Step 3 Enjoy yourself.

Sample Valedictorian Speeches

sample valedictorian speech middle school

Expert Q&A

Lynn Kirkham

  • Remember that you were picked to be valedictorian for a reason. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to speak as the representative of your graduating class, so give it your best. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
  • Bring a copy of your speech. While you may be able to memorize it, practicing in front of the mirror or your friends is a bit different than speaking at the actual graduation. Even if you think you know it all by heart, you’ll want the little reminder just in case. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

sample valedictorian speech middle school

  • Avoid doing distracting things while giving your speech. This means keeping your phone off, making sure you don’t have a noisy keychain or coins in your pocket, and not chewing gum while speaking. These will make it difficult for people to hear you, and won’t keep their attention on your words. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 2
  • Many high schools will review your speech before you give it to make sure you don’t touch on any controversial or inappropriate topics. It is not a good idea to submit one speech to the school, then give a completely different one as a way to get around this. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 6
  • Avoid plagiarism. This is your speech, not a chance to use someone else’s. Make sure your work is original to you and your school. With so many speeches available online, it can be tempting to just copy one for yourself, but remember that will make it easy for people to catch you as well. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 7

You Might Also Like

Prepare and Give a Speech

  • ↑ https://personalexcellence.co/blog/graduation-speeches/
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/speeches/
  • ↑ http://onlinespeechwriting.com/how-to-write-a-valedictorian-speech-an-effective-guide.html
  • ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/audience/
  • ↑ https://skillpath.com/blog/hate-public-speaking
  • ↑ http://blog.oup.com/2015/05/how-to-write-graduation-speech/
  • ↑ https://www.bigbencomedy.com/archives/what-do-you-do-when-nobody-laughs/
  • ↑ https://routinelynomadic.com/funny-inspirational-quotes/
  • ↑ https://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/html/practicing_speeches.html
  • ↑ http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever

About This Article

Lynn Kirkham

To write a valedictorian speech, start by deciding on your theme. Choose something inspiring, like “find and follow your passion,” “you don’t need to be perfect,” or “if you think and believe you can, you can.” Then, make an outline of the speech with a few major points and a couple of jokes throughout, and plan to make your most important point at the end. Remember to thank the people who have helped your class along the way, and take time to reflect on the past. For tips on handling speech anxiety and connecting with your audience, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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sample valedictorian speech middle school

Valedictorian Speech Examples Challenge Class To Reach For The Stars

Valedictiran speech examples - valedictorian inspoired graduates

A valediction speech is a short speech that recaps the years the graduating class spent at the school and honors their achievement. The valedictorian prepares it, and it may be heartfelt, humorous, or inspirational. The best valedictorian speech examples advice, wish the graduates good luck, thank honored guests, and reminisce about the journey the class has experienced together.

At high school and college graduations, the students who rank the highest in the class are the ones who speak on behalf of their classes. The top student, called the valedictorian, presents a short speech known as the valedictorian speech .

This often follows words by the salutatorian, the second highest-ranking student, who also gives a speech.

Table of Contents

What Is The Definition Of Valedictorian Speech?

A valedictorian speech is a commencement speech given by the person with the highest grade point average (GPA) in the graduating class. It is worth noting that some schools have a weighted scale to ensure that students who have taken honors or advanced placement classes outscore students with an easier load of courses through their high school years.

It is a high honor to be the person to give this speech, as it is clear to all that the valedictorian has engaged in years of hard work to get to that point.

Valedictorian speech example/ Highest-ranking classmate speaks

What Is A Valedictorian Speech About?

The graduation day speech given by the valedictorian is typically given after the salutatorian has spoken. While the salutatorian speaks on behalf of the graduating class, the valedictorian is speaking for (and to) his or her fellow students who are graduating.

Topics presented during great valedictorian speeches include:

  • Gratitude:  The valedictorian or salutatorian expresses gratitude to everyone who has helped the graduates get to where they are appropriate, including faculty members, family, community members, friends, and fellow graduates. Speakers should communicate with other speakers to prevent duplication.
  • Memories:  It is worth noting that class valedictorian recount not only their personal memories but those relevant to the entire class during their high school experience.
  • Future Endeavors:  As graduates prepare to move to the next stage of life, a speaker may discuss what the future holds for the assembled students.
  • Inspire:  The speaker inspires the class to pursue their dreams as they move on to the next stage of life.
  • Quotes:  Quotes that inspire or reflect are excellent for graduation speeches. One might choose inspirational quotes to help set the stage for the speech or as part of the conclusion. The quote can also help transition between main points.

How Do You Write A Short Valedictorian Speech?

What if you are tasked with writing a very short speech? In some middle or high school graduation ceremonies, the speakers are requested to keep it short (3-5 minutes). When that is the challenge set before you, speech writing can feel tricky.

When given a shorter time, you need to get a lot of bang with fewer words. Shorten your introduction. Limit your main ideas to two (rather than 3-4). Find efficient transition thoughts. As you conclude your speech, you can pull the ideas together in a few sentences to make sure the anecdotes you have shared are clearly linked for those listening. One important rule for public speaking is quality over quantity. You can say a lot in just a few words!

Maya Angelou quote

What Do You Do If You Have A Lot Of Things To Say In A Valedictorian Speech?

It may be necessary to limit your speech due to certain factors. First, knowing how long the faculty advisors expect you to speak is important. Traditionally the valedictorian speaks for anywhere from 5-10 minutes.

As you begin brainstorming about your speech, sticking to the main ideas that resonate with most people assembled is essential. In other words, this is not about you and your best friends. The speech you prepare for the graduating class’s big day should engage the entire class. This is not the time or place for inside jokes or stories involving just a few class members.

Valededictorian speech examples appeals to whole class

Often, a class’s years together may revolve around a significant event that occurred during high school or college. Recent classes may have bonded over Covid restrictions, but natural disasters, the untimely death of a classmate, or political upheaval may have marked the years. (Ask grandparents. They may remember the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, or Y2K as the focal point of their school years.)

One should also refrain from discussing anything controversial during a graduation speech. While current issues can be significant and worth talking about, this is not the forum for doing so.

When choosing anecdotes to share, limit it to three or four stories or thoughts that can be somehow linked together in an interesting way.

How To Write A Valedictory Speech For Graduation?

Wondering how to write your speech?

  • Talk to others:  Classmates will have ideas on important memories you might want to share.
  • Brainstorm:  Give yourself some time to think things through and brainstorm ideas on topics to cover.
  • Planning:  Make an outline or organize your thoughts before writing. Do you have stories you can pull together?
  • Write:  Start writing your speech! Like all speeches, the valedictorian speech should have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Read it out loud:  As you read your speech out loud, set a timer. Do you fit within the parameters given to you?
  • Revise:  All great writers revise. Don’t assume your first copy is the best.
  • Practice:  Once you have the final speech written, be sure to practice it either with someone, in front of a mirror, or by making a video.

What Are Some Valedictorian Speech Examples?

Valedictorian  Carl Aquino , graduating class of 2010 from West Hall High School, compares life to solving a Rubik’s Cube. He gives his speech with the help of a classmate who accompanies him by playing the guitar. You will enjoy the stories and analogies he uses with such fun humor.

Chase Dahl  of Weber High School class of 2015 gave another speech in a unique style. His speech is also a fairly short 5 minutes.

What Is The Best Valedictorian Speech Example?

Arguably, a contender for the best high school valedictorian speech ever was given by Alex Stone, part of West Boca Ratan’s high school class of 2022. He was particularly poised as he hit all the required elements for a graduation speech, wove an important personal loss into his speech, and tied the speech together with the quote by May Angelou, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,

A former English teacher and currently an elementary principal in a rural school, Pam has honed her speaking skills in the classroom and before professional groups. Pam enjoys sharing her insights about public speaking almost as much as she enjoys running, which she does daily.

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Examples

Middle School Speech

sample valedictorian speech middle school

Making a speech is never meant to be easy. It is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks that you could ever ask  a middle school student to do.

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It is not only in terms of the topic, but also about the content and how the speech is going to be structured. But worry not, this article may be of some help to you as it will help you go through the step-by-step procedure in drafting a said speech. You may also see some examples of speech templates for further reference.

The Basics of Speech Writing

1. choose your topic well.

Take a moment and a breather to think this through. What might be a suitable topic for middle school students? For one thing, it has to be inspirational to the point that students are willing to do better not only in their academic work but also with their private life as well. An example of a good topic would be about the value of hard work in finishing your studies, which does not involve cheating. Middle school students are able to relate to this topic as they are still studying. You may also see examples of writing a welcome speech for further insight.

2. Find Purpose or Thesis

Why are you giving a speech on this topic? Otherwise, there would be no point in delivering it the first place. They say that everything has a purpose and that there is no such thing as an accident. What is the end goal that your speech is trying to achieve? A good speech is made for a good reason: to inspire, to instruct, to rally support, to lead to action, etc. These are noble purposes — and not merely to sound off; feed the speaker’s ego; or to flatter, intimidate, or shame anyone. You may also check the 8 steps needed in speech composition  should you need further assistance.

3. Get Organized

Speaking a disorganized speech would only make things worse. Start small. Make a point. Eventually, you will get there. Start with the introduction.  Make it catchy and make it snappy because the attention span of today’s students is rather short. One of the best and famous ways that people start their professional speech is with a joke. Once you’ve got their attention, go on with the body and end strong with the conclusion.

  • The body of the speech. State at least three points to support your argument. If they build on each other, good. Make a list and pick out the strongest arguments later when writing the first draft. You may also check out wedding speech examples  if you happen to be selected as the best an or maid-of-honor.

4. Get Persuasive

There are two kinds of speeches: persuasive and informative. So with the topic you’ve chosen to deliver to the whole student body, look back and think as to whether the content of your speech is to inform or persuade the students. And how will you do that? Even if you have written a damn fine speech, but lack the emotional capability to deliver it, then all that effort and time would have been for nothing. You may also discover on writing examples of a dedication speech .

School Campaign Speech Example

School Campaign Speech Example

Size: 138 KB

School Award Speech Example

School Award Speech Example

Size: 81 KB

School Demonstration Speech Outline Example

School Demonstration Speech Outline Example

Size: 92 KB

Making it Effective

1. choose words wisely.

Remember that your audience is middle-schoolers; not elderly gentlemen or young adults or parents or teachers. Speakers must exercise the precaution on carefully selecting what terminology they decide to use with the audience. Because if they are not so careful, the speaker might end up insulting or hurt the feelings of their audience without them realizing it. Should you wish to thank someone for the things they have done, you may research on how to write a good thank-you speech .

2. Grab their Attention

There are many ways to get the students attention other than a joke or a story. To the more creative ones, you can come up with a role play or let the students themselves participate in whatever game or activity you are planning. Just as long as you grab their attention, I am sure that they will be able to keep themselves fixed on you throughout the rest of the day. Yes, even making an introduction speech also needs to be practiced and worked on. Making an after-dinner speech also helps out in lightening the mood.

3. Focus on Your Message

Don’t forget that you are there to deliver your speech. That’s why it is important to focus mainly on the message at hand and not get sidetracked. Although it is perfectly understandable for a person to get lost along the way but you should know how to bounce back in any situation. The audience is not there to hear your ramblings and whatnot, they are there to hear your topic. If it really cannot be avoided, then make an outline as to help you keep track of where you are heading in the speech. You may also see on how to make a leadership speech if you’re into that sort of thing.

4. Illustrate

Show and don’t tell. You have to make them visualize the scene and not just tell them about it. When visualizing the given scene, it is important to try and add life to the scene with the use of adjectives, adverbs, and figures of speech.

5. Think in Pauses

Pausing is not all bad. There are 2 advantages that can be thought off when adding pauses in the said speech: First, it gives you time to collect your thoughts. Let’s admit it: there are one too many times that people forget what they’re supposed to say. By adding pauses to some of the words or lines in your general speech helps correct that issue.

But the main reason why people add pauses in their speeches is to give emphasis on that certain phrase or word that the public should know about. Once you start a pause right after a specific word, the whole crowd becomes silent to reflect and ponder about the certain situation, meaning that you have control of the entire room.

  • Speeches need to be natural – not read off of a paper. And when you talk, you have pauses. This is not slowing you down or showing your weakness, it shows that you have this down so well, you’re talking about it like an old pro.

Forming Your Speech

1. start off with a strong introduction.

Introductions are perhaps the most important part of your speech as it is often perceived as the most crucial factor to whether the audience will get bored of your speech or pay attention to you all throughout. There are many ways to begin your introduction So just try to find out what you can about the audience and wing it from there. You may also see tribute speech examples & samples .

  • Opening with important remarks or quotes will immediately establish credibility.

2. Use Inclusive Terms for Individuals

Point to “our” things — our team, our city/state/country, or our school, our class-year, our work, people, and product/candidate, etc. Your audience will feel more included and a sense of belonging. If “we” feel that way, they’ll feel the pressure to feel that way, too. You may also like appreciation speech examples & samples .

  • In a speech by Nelson Mandela, he started off with, “Today we celebrate not the victory of a party, but a victory for all the people of South Africa.”Now that’s a man whose oratorical prowess cannot be questioned.

3. Build the Body of the Speech

This part should contain the main points of the issue and support for each one. That list you made earlier? Narrow it down to about three. Which ones are the most convincing?

  • Start off with your strongest point. You want the audience to start off seeing zero holes through your argument. Get them on your side before they get the chance to nitpick what you have to say. You may also check out presentation speech examples & samples .
  • Put your weakest argument in the middle. You’re sandwiching it here to make it the most forgettable. And, indeed, it will be.
  • End with your second strongest argument. You want to vamp it up a notch towards the end. Reel them back in, rounding out your argument with your last piece of evidence.

4. Be Aware of Your Transitions.

Transitions should not only go in between points in the body, but also after the introduction and into the conclusion. Again, your speech is one cohesive work, not a series of points that work independently. Show your audience that by transitioning clearly. You might be interested in how do you write a speech?

5. End with a firm conclusion.

Conclude with a powerful nail-down, summarizing what you came here to say. Leave them with a question or thoughts of implications; leave them with something — what do you want that something to be?

  • Repeat key ideas. Make the audience recall and get on the mainline. Be sure they leave with the ideas you don’t want them to forget. You may also see orientation speech examples & samples .
  • Give your audience a sense of completion in what you write. Bring them back to the beginning, but with a louder spirit — after all, they have all the knowledge necessary to be passionate now, too. This can be done by starting the last paragraph with a strong, declarative sentence that re-makes your point. You may also like acceptance speech examples .

School Demonstration Speech Example

School Demonstration Speech Example

Size: 99 KB

School Valedictory Speech Example

School Valedictory Speech Example

Size: 110 KB

Making a speech if you’re a middle school student is certainly not easy. So we’ve compiled some sample speech templates and examples for you to use. Good luck with your speech writing!

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4 Teachable Moments from Middle and High School Graduation Speeches

Great lessons from kids ready to take on the world.

high school graduation speech

As we approach the end of another school year, you may be feeling tired, maybe even a bit burned out. Teaching is a demanding, exhausting job that asks a lot of those called to it. Being a teacher can absolutely knock us down at times, but if we remember why we do it, we’ll be able to get up—better and stronger each time. For me, the words of a middle and high school graduation speech can do that. The following four remind us why we do this, and they also provide teachable moments for both us and our students.

1. When in doubt…fall back on the classics.

Valedictorian Meeklin Ragan’s Dr. Seuss inspired high school graduation speech is charming, but also should serve as a great reminder for teachers everywhere—Dr. Seuss does have a lot to offer students of all ages! We shouldn’t be afraid to seek ideas in unconventional places. Not only can children’s books be used to teach important lessons relevant to any subject, but never underestimate the appeal of allowing your students (even at the secondary level) to find inspiration in interesting places.

2. Remember your audience.

The valedictorian in this high school graduation speech makes good points. He raises excellent and thought-provoking questions. He definitely reflects upon his own experience in high school. But in his quest for brutal honesty, he lost sight of his audience; fellow graduates who had worked hard to be where they were, many of whom who were probably just fine with not being valedictorian and were looking forward to a humorous or inspirational speech. As teachers, we too need to remember our audience. Are we talking too much and not giving them time to process? Are we injecting levity into our lessons when appropriate? Is there more we could do to engage our students and make them active learners in our classrooms?

4. Celebrate everyone’s achievements.

Senior class president Ryan Burton does something a bit different in his high school graduation speech. He celebrates the achievements of his classmates. He discusses just how much scholarship money was earned by his peers, the various academic and athletic awards won by his classmates, and the charitable work they completed. Burton also addresses the struggles they overcame together and their strength as a class. The one thing he doesn’t spend a lot of time doing? Talking about himself. As teachers, we are often the center of our classroom universe with our students revolving around us. But we could learn a valuable lesson from Burton by remembering to flip that model around every once in a while, making sure to celebrate the achievements of all our students—big or small, and putting them in the center of the action while we work with them from the sidelines, letting them shine.

4. Find (and remember!) your why.

Lawrence Brown delivered an inspirational and highly motivational high school graduation speech to his class in 2014 based on the question, “What is your WHY?” He discussed how life was going to hit all of his classmates hard at some point or another, but what really mattered was that they got up and kept going, kept trying. To do that, he explained, they would need “a why,” a reason, something that they felt passionate about. Brown illustrated this idea with anecdotes about athletes and entrepreneurs who had all experienced enormous setbacks only to come back stronger and better because they knew what they wanted from their lives. Delivered in a humble and humorous tone, Brown’s speech has a lot to offer.

Congratulations teachers. We’ve just spent another wonderful year in this challenging and rewarding profession!

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USC Student Journalists Publish Valedictorian’s Canceled Speech

U SC’s two student-led news organizations on Friday published the speech that Valedictorian Asna Tabassum had planned to deliver before the university canceled her remarks amid charges of antisemitism.

The speech is unreadable, but Tabassum still might have delivered a message to the students and the school. 

Hours before the school’s scaled back commencement ceremonies, both Annenberg Media and The Daily Trojan, two student-led news organizations, published a redacted version of the speech, which was sent to them by Tabassum.

“President Folt, Provost Guzman, faculty, staff, families and fellow Class of 2024: It is my honor to stand before you today as your Valedictorian,” Tabassum wrote. “I am filled with gratitude to have the privilege of...”

At that point, the speech is blacked out or redacted. It concludes with “Congratulations, Class of 2024.”

Annenberg Media added an “Editor’s Note” at the end to clarify that “This speech is published as was written and shared to us by Asna Tabassum.”

USC is proceeding with reduced commencement ceremonies on Friday after canceling its main-stage graduation ceremony following weeks of protests and campus unrest after Provost Andrew Guzman canceled Tabassum’s speech after she was accused of antisemitism. 

Tabassum denied the charge and said the school had “abandoned” her. 

At issue was a link on Tabassum’s Instagram bio that took people "to a pro-Palestine landing page" that contains the statement that "Zionism is a racist settler-colonial ideology that advocates for a Jewish ethnostate built on Palestinian land."

In the days that followed, protests took root on campus before LAPD and the school’s Department of Public Safety cleared the encampment just before dawn on Sunday morning. 

Student journalists have reported that 93 people were arrested during mostly peaceful stand-offs with police in the days before the clearing. On Friday, Annenberg Media reported that 29 students have been suspended for their involvement in the protests, which grew to include opposition to the Israel-Hamas War. At least four students were evicted from student housing.

But the report added that faculty pressure led school leadership to allow some of the suspended students to take part in commencement activities on Friday. 

Earlier this week, the school’s Academic Senate voted to censure Guzman and President Carol Folt for their handling of the situation. 

USC Student Journalists Publish Valedictorian’s Canceled Speech

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Seinfeld Speech at Duke Commencement Prompts Walkout Protesting His Support for Israel

Reuters

REUTERS/David Swanson

(Reuters) -Dozens of students walked out of Duke University's commencement ceremony on Sunday as some chanted "free Palestine" to protest its guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has supported Israel throughout the war in Gaza, according to a video posted on social media.

Figures in robes and caps, some waving Palestinian flags, were seen filing out of crowds of graduates assembled on the grass in the North Carolina University's football stadium in the video posted on X. Reuters was able to verify the video's date and location.

The video also showed several attendees leaving the viewing stands, including a person wearing a keffiyeh, which can be an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Others shouted "Jerry! Jerry!" as the actor received an honorary degree, and Seinfeld delivered his speech without major interruptions.

War in Israel and Gaza

Palestinians are mourning by the bodies of relatives who were killed in an Israeli bombardment, at the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on April 28, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"A lot of you are thinking, 'I can't believe they invited this guy.' Too late," he said, after vowing to "defend" the concept of privilege.

"I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian," he added.

"We understand the depth of feeling in our community, and as we have all year, we respect the right of everyone at Duke to express their views peacefully, without preventing graduates and their families from celebrating their achievement," said Duke spokesperson Frank Tramble in a statement.

Seinfeld visited Israel and has vocally supported it since Oct. 7, when militant group Hamas killed 1,200 people and abducted 252 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Meanwhile, Israel's military operations have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave.

The White House said on Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes peaceful protests at college commencement ceremonies where he and other administration officials will speak.

The walkout at Duke's graduation was the latest manifestation of protests that have roiled U.S. campuses as students call for universities to divest from arms suppliers and other companies profiting from the war, and amnesty for students and faculty who have been disciplined or fired for protesting.

At Emerson College in Boston, chants interrupted remarks by the school's president during its commencement ceremony on Sunday. Some students could be seen on a recording of the event walking across the stage to receive their degrees carried signs of their support for Palestinians, including one woman who unfurled a Palestinian flag.

The protests have prompted U.S. universities such as Columbia in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to cancel their main graduation ceremonies this month. Other colleges and universities have relocated or modified commencement ceremonies.

(Reporting by Julia Harte; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Gerry Doyle)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Tags: United States , Israel , Middle East , celebrities , North Carolina , education

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Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

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Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

IMAGES

  1. 11+ Valedictorian Speech Examples

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

  2. 14+ Perfect Valedictorian Speech Examples in MS WORD

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

  3. 14+ Perfect Valedictorian Speech Examples in MS WORD

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

  4. Valedictory speech given by 2008 Valedictorian Rummy M. of Delview

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

  5. Valedictorian Speech Examples

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

  6. 20 Valedictorian speech examples ideas

    sample valedictorian speech middle school

VIDEO

  1. Valedictorian Speech by Sidney Chiou 05 25 14 First Academy

  2. speech middle test public speaking

  3. Pathways Middle and High School Valedictorian Speech by Hunter Larson Class of 2023

  4. Valedictorian Speech

  5. Middle School Graduation Speech by Karishma Miranda (Bret Harte Middle School) Jun 7, 2018

  6. Awesome Middle School Graduation Speech

COMMENTS

  1. Middle School Graduation Speech Examples

    Celebrate the excitement of moving on from middle school with a fun or inspiring speech to your classmates at graduation. Use the example speeches as is by clicking on the image of the one you love to download and print it. If you run into any trouble using the sample graduation speeches, check with the Adobe Guide for troubleshooting.

  2. How to Make a Middle School Graduation Speech (with Pictures)

    4. Keep your speech between 10 to 15 minutes in length. People do not want to sit and listen to a thirty minute graduation speech. They will likely lose focus and only remember a few key stories anyways. The best graduation speeches are short and to the point. Keep your speech somewhere between ten and fifteen minutes.

  3. Middle School or Elementary School graduation speech

    This page contains a funny sample speech for Middle School or Elementary School graduations for principles, teachers or other key note speakers. The speech template can be customized for graduations from preschool, 8th Grade, Junior High School, clubs, high school or other graduation events as well.

  4. Example of a Valedictorian Speech

    In an excellent example of a valedictorian speech, the speaker gives thanks to faculty and administrators, celebrates and reflects on experiences with classmates, and inspires graduates to excel in the future. Afterward, the school officials hand out diplomas and send the students on to the next stage of life.

  5. Your Guide To Writing The Perfect Valedictorian Speech (With Sample Speech)

    Tips To Keep In Mind While Writing Your Valedictorian Speech. 1. Talk About Things You've Learnt Outside The Classroom. While classroom learning is something that's common to most of the students in the audience-that is, all of you probably learned the same coursework-what's different is the stuff that you learned OUTSIDE the classroom.

  6. Valedictorian Speech

    Valedictorian Speech Sample. Introduction. Good morning, respected principal, esteemed teachers, staff, proud parents, and, above all, my fellow graduates. ... memories, and dreams. Reflecting on Our Journey. As I stand here, I am reminded of our first day at this school, filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. We didn't ...

  7. How to Write a Valedictorian Speech (Ideas, Tips, and Examples)

    Learn how to deliver a winning valedictorian speech with our helpful ideas, tips, and examples. ... or observation highlighting a positive quality about your classmates, school, community, or past events. Key Idea 2: (Present) Talk about what makes today special. Key Idea 3: (Future ... we were in the middle of a crucial game. With only a few ...

  8. How to Write a Middle School Graduation Speech

    In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a middle school graduation speech, providing tips, examples, and answering some frequently asked questions. 1. Reflect on your experiences: Begin by reflecting on your own journey through middle school. Think about the lessons you have learned, the friendships you have made, and ...

  9. Crafting an Unforgettable Valedictory Speech: A Guide and Sample

    Extended Sample Valedictory Address. [Introduction] "Good evening, esteemed Principal, distinguished faculty, honored guests, devoted families, and my fellow graduates. It is a moment of tremendous pride and a deeply humbling experience to stand before you as the valedictorian of this accomplished and spirited Marshall High School Class of 2023.

  10. How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian

    Practice reading your speech aloud to see how it sounds. Time yourself, but remember you may speak faster when you're nervous. Focus on remaining calm. Put aside comedy if it feels unnatural. Be tactful if broaching a tragic topic you feel needs to be included. Consult a teacher or adviser if you have any doubts.

  11. Inspiring Valedictorian Speech Examples to Help You Write Your Own

    Get organized. Once you have chosen a topic, create an outline that divides your speech into sections, beginning with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Develop your main points and make sure that each one is addressed within each section of the outline. 3. Start writing as soon as possible.

  12. Valedictorian Speech

    Step 1: Brainstorming and Outlining. Begin by brainstorming ideas and organizing your thoughts into an outline. Consider your personal experiences, what you learned during your academic journey, and what you want to say to your peers and teachers. Write down all the key points that you want to include in your speech and organize them into a ...

  13. Amazing Valedictorian Speech Examples & Tips

    What to say in your graduation speech: Tips & strategies. Good valedictorian speeches share some common elements. They express gratitude for being invited to speak, reflect on shared memories of school days, and look forward to the next phase of life. Here's how to craft a strong high school graduation speech: Begin with a welcome and gratitude

  14. 12 Best Valedictorian Speech Examples

    A valedictorian is a student who attains the achievement of the highest academic standing in their class. Valedictorians are honored because of their intellectual prowess, brilliant test results, and exceptional grades. They are the top achievers among their classmates. When a valedictorian is graduating from high school, he or she is expected to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony ...

  15. How to Write a Valedictorian Speech (with Pictures)

    6. Keep it short. Your speech is just one part of a larger ceremony, and people probably won't want to listen to you give a half-hour lecture on the nature of friendship and the universe. Keep your thoughts short and to the point. Plus, if you don't like giving speeches, keeping it short will make it go faster. [6]

  16. 4 Tips To Write The Best Valedictorian Speech (With Samples!)

    Step 2: Check for Themes. Once you've talked to others in your graduating class, look for any recurring themes. Write these down, and then think about world and school events that fit in with that theme. Tap into the nostalgia factor as you prepare to say goodbye to your school and classmates. Example Themes:

  17. Valedictorian Speech Examples Tell Class Reach For The Stars

    Valedictorian Carl Aquino, graduating class of 2010 from West Hall High School, compares life to solving a Rubik's Cube. He gives his speech with the help of a classmate who accompanies him by playing the guitar. You will enjoy the stories and analogies he uses with such fun humor. Chase Dahl of Weber High School class of 2015 gave another ...

  18. Middle School Speech

    You may also like appreciation speech examples & samples. In a speech by Nelson Mandela, he started off with, "Today we celebrate not the victory of a party, but a victory for all the people of South Africa."Now that's a man whose oratorical prowess cannot be questioned. 3. Build the Body of the Speech.

  19. 4 Teachable Moments from Middle and High School Graduation Speeches

    For me, the words of a middle and high school graduation speech can do that. The following four remind us why we do this, and they also provide teachable moments for both us and our students. 1. When in doubt…fall back on the classics. Valedictorian Meeklin Ragan's Dr. Seuss inspired high school graduation speech is charming, but also ...

  20. USC Student Journalists Publish Valedictorian's Canceled Speech

    Hours before the school's scaled back commencement ceremonies, both Annenberg Media and The Daily Trojan, two student-led news organizations, published a redacted version of the speech, which ...

  21. Seinfeld Speech at Duke Commencement Prompts Walkout Protesting His

    Seinfeld visited Israel and has vocally supported it since Oct. 7 when militant group Hamas killed 1,200 people and abducted 252 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza ...

  22. Elektrostal Map

    Elektrostal is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Elektrostal has about 158,000 residents. Mapcarta, the open map.

  23. Custom Fireplace Contractors & Installers in Elektrostal'

    Search 151 Elektrostal' custom fireplace contractors & installers to find the best fireplace contractor for your project. See the top reviewed local fireplace services and installers in Elektrostal', Moscow Oblast, Russia on Houzz.

  24. Elektrostal

    Elektrostal , lit: Electric and Сталь , lit: Steel) is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Population: 155,196 ; 146,294 ...

  25. Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

    Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia in WGS 84 coordinate system which is a standard in cartography, geodesy, and navigation, including Global Positioning System (GPS). Latitude of Elektrostal, longitude of Elektrostal, elevation above sea level of Elektrostal.