Make a Middle School Graduation Speech
Getting promoted to high school is a pretty big deal, and you would probably like to leave a mark on your middle school. Go out with a bang by giving a great graduation speech, and end your middle school experience in a great way!
Contents
Steps
- Introduce yourself. An administrator will probably give you a basic introduction, but you may want to add a few details.
Hi everyone! I’m Dan and I’ve been going to Lemon Valley School for three years now. - Talk about your first memories at the school. Did you start at the same time as everyone else or did you transfer? Talk about what you expected when you first arrived.
When I first got here, I remember thinking that the campus was huge and crowded. I was afraid I wasn’t going to fit in. - Talk about how much you enjoyed the experience. If you were scared at first, say that things turned out much better than you expected.
- Say a sentence or two about each teacher. If it’s appropriate, make little jokes – but don’t be mean-spirited. Unless you had a big number of teachers over the years, try not to leave anyone out.
Mr. Holmes showed me that science can be fun – especially when your model volcano erupts all over the ceiling. I’ll never forget that time Mrs. Peterson made a perfect dunk on the basketball court. And who knew that Ms. Ludlow plays the banjo like nobody’s business? - Talk a bit about the other students. You may be the one giving the speech, but you are representing your graduating class. Talk about memorable incidents, things that your class was known for, or how close everyone has become.
During the fall charity drive, our class made Lemon Valley history by raising over three thousand dollars. Our trip to D.C. this year was one of the most fun experiences of my life. I’m glad that so many of us will be going to the same school in the fall. - Talk about the future. Discuss how middle school has helped you prepare for what’s to come.
- Thank everyone for what they did to make your middle-school years great. This includes peers, teachers, parents, administration, and staff. If there was a time when someone really helped you, include it.
I want to thank the teachers, the staff, Principal Nolan, my classmates, and, of course, my parents for a wonderful Lemon Valley experience. I especially want to thank Sara Jenkins, who was the first person to talk to me on my first day, showed me the ropes during my first week, and has been my mentor over the past three years. - Add a closing statement. Think of a nice clincher that will leave a great impact on your audience and will close the speech nicely.
On behalf of the class of 2012, I want to thank you again! I just hope that Lemon Valley School remembers us as fondly as we’ll remember it.
Tips
- Stay Confident! Never let your audience think you are too nervous or shy.
- Make sure you have some sort of message that is inspirational so that people remember it.
- Adding jokes in your speech is perfectly alright. In fact, it will make the speech more memorable.
- Keep the speech lively. Nobody wants to fall asleep at their own graduation. (Or, in your case, put their entire class to sleep.)
- Don't be too nervous! If you were asked to make the speech, then you were probably asked for a reason.
- You are not graduating from high school or college, so don't be overly sappy or ridiculous! You still have a long road ahead of you.
- It may help to take a deep breath before starting your speech.
- Consider ending with a thoughtful quote you've made up by yourself.
- Show your emotions. Smile.
- Be natural
- Don't be shy.
Warnings
- Do not chew gum while speaking because that is disrespectful.
- Feel free to tell stories of people, but make sure that you ask the person if you can mention them in the speech. That way no one is embarrassed on graduation day.
- Make sure the content in your speech is respectful to all. This includes even the teachers and students that you dislike.
- The speech should not be too long. 3-5 minutes would do nicely. Do not include too many memories of the school, or it may start sounding like a list!
- Do not show your speech to your friends or it won’t have as much impact during the ceremony. (You will probably have to run it by a teacher, though.)
