Graduation Speech Essay examples - 885 Words

To the County High School Class of 2012: As you sit in front of me, I know what most of you are thinking at the moment. There are those who are already pondering about what life without high school will be like; those who are debating whether or not to tell your crush tonight about your whispers of adoration you’ve secretly held for four years; some simply want to get out of that ungodly chair, get that thing that isn’t really a diploma but only tells you when to pick up the thing, and then be the first one on the green bus to the grad party — you know who you are. And the rest, well, the rest aren’t even paying attention, you’re thinking, â€Å"Great, here comes one of the valedictorian speakers. Next up: a boring speech straight out of the†¦show more content†¦For the moment, please do not dwell on the past or even look into the future, there’s time for that later. Instead, I ask that you give up a few minutes of your lives to sit back, let that gown flow and enjoy the final curtain call of your high school career. Enjoy the sights and sounds of today, right now; and be aware of the mindfulness opening your senses and releasing your inhibitions can summon. Feel the tingle on your eyes; it is trying to tell you something so pay attention to it. Look, do you see it? That’s anxiety, a thick and pulsating anxiety that is flowing through the air right now from person to person. It is a stream of consciousness that is multiplied in this medium only because we all have the same questions: Do I have time to go to the bathroom? When will this Asian fool shut up? Who is this guy sitting next to me and why is he so ugly? The anxiety will not die. Capture the anxiety in your mind as a visual aspect of tonight. Remember it. Let the twitch in your ear awake your emotions. Listen carefully. It’s the sound of a gloomy day. What is usually a dismal tune is now replaced with the bittersweet melody of our graduation ceremony under the clouds. Ask yourself, when was the last time you realized the song, instead of the sight of a day? Capture the drizzle as an audio aspect of tonight. Remember it. Allow the pads of your fingers to feelShow MoreRelatedGraduation Speech : My Graduation Essay1022 Words   |  5 Pages My Graduation A Graduation ceremony is one of the major steps in life, it marks the start of new changes in our lives. It ushers us into growing up and be responsible for our actions. It marks a new dawn of embracing life experiences, cultivation of good work ethics and eventually culminates in chasing our dreams. On my graduation day, I woke up to the sweet aroma of the breakfast my sister was making. I sat down to eat when the food was ready. It took me about 2 hours to finishRead MoreGraduation Speech1128 Words   |  5 PagesSasenarine Tomby Graduation Speech 2011 Good afternoon [name of members of the head table], teachers, parents, students, fellow graduates and distinguished guests. I must first and foremost thank God for this blessing and honor to stand before you today as Valedictorian of the Class of 2011. Yet, today is not only my day to shine. Every graduate present here is deserving of high praise and recognition and I would like to congratulate each of you on reaching this milestone in life. IRead MoreGraduation Speech650 Words   |  3 PagesCongratulations everyone, congratulations. If youre participating in this graduation ceremony, youve taken the next step toward your future goals and dreams. For those of you that just finished your transfer degrees, congratulations. To those of you that came back to school after a few years off to get a better education, congratulations. To those of you that came to get a certificate or learn IT or computer programming so you can get a better job, congratulations. Now that youre moving onRead More Graduation Speech Essay1010 Words   |  5 PagesLadies, gentlemen, parents, friends, family, staff, fellow students: Instead of taking up more time and reading my speech, it is available to you at http://www.olen’s_speech.com. Thank you. No, just kidding. But seriously folks... Today we are gathered here to celebrate our graduation from 12 long years of schooling. The education granted to us has been a privilege. One so graciously given to us by the citizens of our state, by our community, and by our parents. Today would not beRead More Graduation Speech Essay1009 Words   |  5 Pagesyou might ever sit through. Most of us, though, and I regret that I am in this group, will sit through many more ceremonies -- ceremonies longer and more tedious that this or anything else you can imagine. If you think this is bad, try a college graduation. Think, that is, attend a wedding. And, if just for a moment you think that that is bad, just be thankful you have never attended or will attend a Bar Mitzvah. The only ceremony I think anybody would truly enjoy attending is a funeral. But, onlyRead MoreEssay on Graduation Speech830 Words   |  4 Pagesthe senior class president. A few weeks ago, I was told that I would be speaking at graduation. I was asked to put together a speech for tonight -- Ive become experienced at speech writing over the past couple of weeks. The speech that you are hearing is the fourth one Ive written, the recycle bin needs to be emptied at home and I need a new highlighter. Thank you, Mr. Mier, you get an A+ for your help as my speech teacher but an F for saving trees. Tonight Id like to talk to three groupsRead MoreAn Example of a Graduation Speech653 Words   |  3 Pageswriting papers, doing homework, taking an occasional pop quiz, and of course taking countless exams, it is that time that we all anticipate†¦Graduation! Purpose Statement: Since the majority of us are seniors, and graduation is a little less than a month away, I am going to provide you with some historical background information and some fun facts about graduation in order to make the occasion even more meaningful than it already is. Road Map: Most of you could probably agree that high school wasRead More Graduation Speech Essay1516 Words   |  7 Pagesstudy abroad, and with the great help of the Turner family, Ms. Joy Fitzpatrick who is the international student program coordinator, and my parents, I entered America as an international student on March 11, 2001, only one week after my high school graduation in Japan. It seems as though yesterday when I saw my host mom crying at the airport to see me landed to America safely, as if she were welcoming back her own daughter. I still recall the very first class I took. I was so scared and nervous thatRead More Graduation Speech Essay1115 Words   |  5 Pagesthis graduation speech, several people suggested including a profound quote offering â€Å"encouraging advice to the young graduates†, and then there were others who said, â€Å"eh don’t worry about it, no one listens to those anyway.† Fortunately, I was actually able to take from both suggestions and found a happy balance. You see, I won’t tell you today to: â€Å"Dare to dream† or â€Å"Find your own vision† or even to â€Å"Strive for excellence,† or any trite clichà © that’s ever been said in a graduation speech. SoRead More Graduation Speech Essay560 Words   |  3 PagesWhen they were trying to find someone to give this speech they first asked the most intelligent, smart person they could find. But she turned them down. So then they asked the most beautiful, lovely, attractive person they could find. She also turned them down. Next they asked the nicest, sweetest, kindest, most sincere person they could find. Then I decided it would be rude to turn them down three times in a row, so here I am. How many people here like tomato soup? Come on, raise your hand if

Modern Youth The Context of Singapore

Question: Discuss about theModern Youth for the Context of Singapore. Answer: Introduction: Youths are the future of a nation: it is one of the mostly respected and believed truths over the years of history. Hence, identifying the psychological outline, the ideologies and the point of views of todays youth is typically important to tract the trend of future and shape it to obtain the best possible results. This essay is dedicated to discuss the dominant notion about the modern youth, their way of handling and balancing independence and responsibility, expectation from parents and the influence of friends over their lives. This discussion will throw some light over the youth of Singapore and their way of dealing with life. Discussion: Views about Youths of Today: The popular view about the youngsters is not necessarily positive. The current scenario is posing the teenagers as people without any ideology, responsibility, sense of respect and apathetic behaviour towards the bigger world. The Singapore youth were no less accused of this same accusation; and this was reproached even by the national leaders of the country (Baars, 2014). However, the One of the most important issues that often gone unnoticed is the views of the youth about themselves. As mentioned by Zhang, (2013) while trying to understand the youth it is important to focus on their own perception about themselves. The new generation of Singapore as well as the remaining world thinks quite highly about themselves. As mentioned by Baars, (2014) the growing economy of Singapore is inducing a sense of superiority among the youths. The new generation treats themselves as Great people, who is destined to be successful in life (Horschelmann, 2015). Moreover, they know that they are self-conscious and find no offence in being so. The apathy they feel from the world they are gradually turning it into their defence mechanism. However, as opined by Wyn, (2015) in conscious communications, they often agree that they are continuously being apathetic to the socio-political world, as they do not find it directly affecting them. Thus, they are continuously being self-centered and may be the world around them is responsible for this. Balance Between Independence and Responsibilities: It is sheer problem with the new generation that people mostly identify them as irresponsible. However, as mentioned by DuBois Karcher, (2013) todays youth are far more responsible about their careers. As mentioned earlier, the new generation loves to enjoy their personal independence. It is making them finding ways to make their independence ensured by taking responsibilities. The young adults consent to the fact that there should be a balance between independence and responsibility, as they understand that both are interrelated; whereas the teenagers do not have a much sense about them. They consider independence as freedom. As mentioned by Woodman Wyn, (2014) the teenagers love to take decisions of their own lives. They often overestimate their sense of responsibility and thus misuse freedom. However, as opined by McLeod Wright, (2015) the young generation tries to bend the norms to enjoy independence. The smart new generation kids know when to stop and seek for adults intervention when it is important, but exceptions are always evident. The lack of sense of balancing freedom and responsibility directs a few teenagers to drug addiction, road accidents, terrorism and many other radical ways (Chu et al., 2014). Their increased self-esteem often directs them to go beyond their limits. This lacking sense of responsibility inspires them to go overboard to prove themselves to the peer group. Balancing independence and responsibilities is great issue of consideration among the youngsters. However, with aging people generally finds the importance of responsibility to enjoy freedom the fullest. Expectation from Parents (Without Violating Ethical or Moral Principles): As mentioned by Yun et al., (2012) parents play a huge role in shaping the character of a person. The philosophy materialism is continuously making the youths away from their children. As mentioned by Smith, (2015) the modern parents are focusing on making money and the families are on the verge of breaking away. It is making the young members more inclined to the Social Medias and peer groups. As opined by Yun et al., (2012) the new generation wants more time and attention from their parents. However, it is also needed to identify the fine line between attention and intrusion. As mentioned by DuBois Karcher, (2013) the new generation often accuses their parents of being intruder to their lives. The parents need to understand the turmoil of youth and be a bit respectful of their childrens personal space. As mentioned by Horschelmann, (2015) the teen agers and youth loves the treatment of a respectful person and it creates a sense of respect to the personal space of others within themselves. As opined by Chee, Goh Kuczynski, (2014) the most important thing that the youths want from their parents is having genuine and meaningful conversation. As opined by Smith, (2015) teenagers seldom cease to think regarding the parents' love, dedication, goals, ambition or responsibility for them but they rarely think about the assessments parents make on his/her behalf and the way those decisions, affect their lives. The teens do not want their parents to be perfect but they need to feel that their parents are doing their best to make them happy. Hence, it can be speculated that they young children need a genuine conversation with their parents about how much they care for him/her and how hardly they are trying to be happy together. Moreover, as mentioned by many teenagers, they feel that their parents do not understand them and they often look for faults within them. This particular thing involves the craving for being listened within itself. As opined by Yun et al., (2012) in teenage, the children seeks attention. Hence, they want their parents to listen to their views. They want their parents to treat them as grown-ups. As opined by Chee, Goh Kuczynski, (2014) it is important for the parents to listen to their children, examine the value of it and raising the concerns related to it. It makes them feel that the parents are giving him due respect and child starts to believe himself, which is typically needed to shape positive personality of an individual (Chee, Goh Kuczynski, 2014). Hence, it can be said that the new generation is expecting a bit more attention, meaningful conversation and respect of individuality from their parents. Influence of Friends: As discussed earlier, the lack of time from the parents end it motivating the young adults to be more social and absorbed within the peer groups. The trend of Nuclear families is directing the teenagers to create their own world, which is obviously more important than their families. Treating the friends as the best possible resort and icon of life is a phenomenon in the young age. As mentioned by Horschelmann, (2015) it is the sub-conscious mind of the youths which directs them to follow their peer group. Moreover, the society and its norms play a great role in making the young minds influenced by their friends and their lifestyles. As opined by Sim Tan, (2013) being accepted by the social groups is the main motivator of following the peer suggestion by a teenager. The influence of the friends is high on the young minds also because of their feeling of being misunderstood by the family. Friends and social circle can move a teenagers life largely. As mentioned by Sim Tan, (2013) as the youths find someone who is taking interest within his/life and understands him, it becomes great deal to them. As mentioned by Horschelmann, (2015) the criterion of same age often works as an added advantage. In many empirical cases, it has been found that the young militants often opt for the path of Jihad as their friends have told them it is the best way to make the world know about his worth (Chu et al., 2014). Moreover, as opined by Chu et al., (2014) they want freedom and respect, and hence hate to listen to the preaching of the elders. So, the company of people with same age, needs and interests feels more valuable than the family. Moreover, when they find someone who is influential in the peer group, the youths start to believe on his/her ideologies or copy their way of living lives. As opined by Chu et al., (2014) youths often think that, it will give them added validity with in the group. Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that the young adults and the teenagers of Singapore are not much different from other countries. The consistent economic growth is gradually influencing their character and personality. With the increased sense of responsibility towards themselves, they need to find a true icon, which the world may be missing today. The parents need to be more conscious about the psychological needs of the modern youths and take a meaningful part in shaping their attitude and responsibility to the bigger world. however, the new generation of Singapore is gradually taking interest to the world around them which is no doubt a ray of hope to the countys future. References: Baars, R. C. (2014).The good citizen: citizenship education and youth in Singapore(Doctoral dissertation, ResearchSpace@ Auckland). Chee, L. P., Goh, E., Kuczynski, L. (2014). Oversized loads: Child parentification in low-income families and underlying parent-child dynamics.Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services,95(3), 204-212. Chu, C. M., Daffern, M., Thomas, S. D., Ang, Y., Long, M. (2014). Criminal attitudes and psychopathic personality attributes of youth gang offenders in Singapore.Psychology, Crime Law,20(3), 284-301. DuBois, D. L., Karcher, M. J. (Eds.). (2013).Handbook of youth mentoring. Sage Publications. Horschelmann, K. (2015). Dissent and Youth Culture. InPolitics, Citizenship and Rights(pp. 1-14). Springer Singapore. McLeod, J., Wright, K. (2015). Inventing Youth Wellbeing. InRethinking Youth Wellbeing(pp. 1-10). Springer Singapore. Sim, T. N., Tan, M. M. (2013). Behavioral norms, moral judgments, and social approval of participant roles in school bullying in a Singapore sample.Youth Society,45(2), 184-200. Smith, K. (2015). Childhood and Youth Citizenship. InHandbook of Children and Youth Studies(pp. 357-376). Springer Singapore. Woodman, D., Wyn, J. (2014).Youth and generation: Rethinking change and inequality in the lives of young people. Sage. Wyn, J. (2015). Thinking About Childhood and Youth Youth Childhood.Handbook of Children and Youth Studies, 3-20. Yun, H., Lian, W. M., Prema, V., Loke, W. M., Phoon, F. N., Fang, T. F., Vijaya, K. (2012). Do Parents Talk to Their Adolescent Children about Sex?Findings from a Community Survey in Singapore.Annals of the Academy of Medicine-Singapore,41(6), 239. Zhang, W. (2013). Redefining youth activism through digital technology in Singapore.International Communication Gazette,75(3), 253-270.