Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

"Some people come into our lives and quietly go. Some stay for a while And leave footprints on our hearts And we are never the same again." As I prepared this speech, this quote came to mind as I realized how many of you have left footprints on my heart over the past four years. I have may wonderful memories that I will cherish forever. I remember embarrassing moments when a teacher misunderstood what I said, and then my classmates teased me mercilessly. I remember a time in math class when a student fell asleep and was tied to his chair and chalk dust was thrown all over him. I remember teepee wars and dissecting old smelly eyeballs and cute little minks in biology, staying up all night to finish thesis papers, and taking endless flashcard quizzes. I remember when I was in the hospital my friends visited me and cheered me up. I remember crying together when a coach and two of our peers passed away. We have definitely been through a lot together. But tonight is not only a celebration of the end of high school, it is a celebration of the beginning of our future. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. We, the Class of 2006, have chosen "Change The World" as our graduation theme. I think this is the perfect choice for our class, because we will do just that. Our class is very special. We have been leaders in every aspect of our school. Among us are talented athletes, musicians, scholars, artists, actors and actresses. We are skilled in business, family science, agriculture, horticulture, foreign languages, computers, technology, and many other areas. None of us, of course, are good at all of these things, but we are all good at something. Ma... ...odness I'm not a clam or a ham Or a dusty old jar of gooseberry jam! I am what I am! What a great thing to be! If I say so myself Happy every day to me!" We are each unique and have different goals and aspirations. But whether we become a social worker, doctor, auto mechanic, or a politician, we can influence the lives of others in a positive way. Each small thing we do, even just a simple smile or pat on the back, can make a difference to one person. And when we do this daily at school or work or in our family, we are slowly changing our homes, neighborhoods and communities. In the year 2007, at our ten-year reunion, I would like each of us to be able to share how we have left our footprints on the hearts of those around us, and thereby made a difference in our community. We will be able to see how the Class of 2006 has united to change the world.