Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Nine More Days- My Dr. Seuss Inspired High School Graduation Speech

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There are some days that are etched in my mind and the day of my high school graduation is one of them.  I remember exactly what the sky looked like on that beautiful June day and the overwhelming sense of fear that I felt as I clutched a manila folder containing my graduation speech in my hands. 

In high school, and even as I started my teaching career, I had an intense fear of public speaking.  To me, the idea of getting up in front of my friends, their families, and relatives was terrifying especially to read a speech that I had written late one night for fun and then submitted on a whim.
I had just been given a copy of the Dr. Seuss classic, Oh the Places You’ll Go, and as a tribute to the author and to my classmates, wrote the following speech about our four years of high school.
Nine More Days
On a bright sunny day on the twenty-sixth of May,
It was announced to seniors that there were nine more school days.
Some shouted with joy and had smiles on their face,
But others lamented saying, “We’ll miss this place.”
At this place called Paly we have done many a things,
From barbecues, to Spirit Week, to ordering class rings.
There were teachers teaching us subject galore,
But others who made learning quite a chore.
We learned about class struggles and the bourgeois,
And about rhyme, rhythm, and synecdote.
We memorized trig functions until we had enough
And asked, “Oh God, why do we need to know all this stuff?”
Chemicals were used in measurements of pinch,
And in biology we met Darwin and a bird called finch.
We survived an earthquake two years ago,
Measuring on the Richter Scale as a mighty seven-point-o.
Then out of the Tower the poor counselors were evicted
And moved into a resource center as the District promised to fix-it.
There was also a day where the school was out of power
And we were sent home to do something-maybe shower.
There was a proposal of sexual harassment policy,
And even a workshop on gender equity.
We worked with the administration to have the night on the wall,
But after our night, wall night was to fall.
After four years these were some of the things we saw
As we went to seek help from a woman called Dawes.
And these days become the future as graduation is here,
While some look in anticipation, others in fear.
Some unsure of their future, not knowing what do
Others to become physicists, lawyers, or members of crew.
Across the nation the Class of ’92 will spread,
All with different notions dancing in their heads.
But today our thoughts turn to vacation
As we receive our diplomas on this day of graduation.

Special thanks to my parents who pulled out the old school print out of my graduation speech, typed it up, and emailed it to me for this post which is part of the Tiny Prints graduation blog campaign through Global Influence !  

If there’s an upcoming graduation in your life, Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique graduation stationery including graduation announcements, graduation invitations,and thank you cards for teens. When graduation season has come and gone Tiny Prints will still be here to fill all your stationery needs with their exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers. You’ll find summer party invitations, personalized greeting cards, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Come try the easy card personalization, powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality for yourself! With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch!

 
I am receiving Tiny Prints credit for my participation but all opinions are my own and are not influenced by any additional involvement I have with the company.  
 

 

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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
©2012