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The Valedictorian Speech.
"Let us all give a round of applause to our Class Valedictorian, Prince Magno as he delivers his valedictory address!"
Upon gracefully walking towards the podium, the loud cacophony from the audiences drifted on my ears.
The scintillated medals on my neck are clinking as I sauntered in front of the microphone. Glancing at the sea of audiences, I could see the obnoxious gazes and distasteful remarks from the other students which I bet came from the star section.
I knew that some of the higher class are just rooting for me to mess up my speech. I knew that they are ready to mock and burst into fits of laughter once I stuttered or at least, getting a dead air while talking.
Well, I understand where their bitterness came from. I knew that they still couldn't believe and accept that one of the students from the last section has stood out among our batch.
"For those who don't know, I, Prince Magno, the class Valedictorian of this batch came from Section-F or others may called it as the last section," I proudly said with my head held high.
My classmates cheered at the back upon mentioning our section. They all stared at me and their eyes gleamed with sheer happiness.
I smiled at them in return and I couldn't help but to tear up silently as the memories from the past invaded my mind.
I could still remember how some of our teachers degraded us, mocked us, humiliated us and underestimated us— just because some of my classmates flunked their subjects.
And since our section is Section-F, other students from the higher class tagged us as Failures.
And now that I have the great opportunity to speak in front of those people who undervalued our section, I would make them realize that we are much more than test scores— that we are much more than our reading levels.
With a heavy chest, I walked at the center of the stage.
I then slowly removed all of my medals and raised it mid-air.
"Teachers and parents, I'm sorry but we are much more than these fake medals!" I muttered with conviction.
I let those medals fell on the marbled floor as it broke into pieces. Feeling discontented, I stomped it with my feet repeatedly.
All of them were stunned and I could see my adviser from my back who's ready to protest but the principal managed to stop her.
"These fake medals are nothing compared to all the amount of hardworks and efforts we've poured— only to receive distasteful remarks from our parents."
My heart ached as I continued.
"These shiny pieces of fake metal cannot compare to all the hardships we encountered as students!"
The first batch of tears finally escaped my eyes.
"And these?" I let the audience see my certificates and later tore it in front of their eyes.
"These are nothing compared to the demons we fought during nights, to the anxiety attacks we'd felt and to the depression we'd experienced. These piece of papers aren't enough to heal the wounds we had gotten after receiving harsh words from the teachers, discriminations from other students and hate from our parents."
With tears in my eyes, I continued tearing my certificates into pieces.
"We don't need these medals and certificates because what we need is acceptance!"
Tears continued pouring down my face.
"Having a failing remark on your grades doesn't define your success! So to our dear parents, please stop coercing and pressuring your kids to get 90+ grades on their cards. Stop comparing your kids to other students who are doing well in school. Yes, school is important. Education is important. But a student's mental and emotional health is more important than those numbers they get on their cards."
I smiled weakly and brushed my tears off.
"The tip of a red ballpen doesn't define someone's worth as a human and above all, it doesn't define a person's future whether she will succeed in life or not."
Glancing at the audience, I saw some of the parents who are starting to cry while hugging their child.
"Truth be told. Each and everyone is brilliant in their own," I muttered. "Just like my classmate who isn't that great in school but she's the best at painting."
Amreyna instantly stood up as she proudly raised her artwork. Her mother along with the audience were in deep awe upon seeing her child's masterpiece.
"If I'd display my medal along with Amreyna's artwork in a museum or in an exhibit, who do think will earn praises, attention and perhaps money? Of course her, my classmate."
I proudly smiled at Amreyna and another set of tears streamed down my cheeks.
"This should be a realization to each and everyone that every person has their own intelligence. We all have distinct places of worth. So please, stop judging a kid based on his grades. And for our parents, we must be the support system of our kids— not the roots of their depression."
My chest tightened painfully as I speak. My gaze instantly went to my mother who is seating in front.
My mother is a professor in College who's teaching about Psychology. She teaches her class about mental health yet she failed to protect her own kid from mental distress.
I smiled weakly.
"To our dear parent, may my speech enlightened your mind because honestly, there's nothing much greater feeling for a child than being praised and accepted by his parents."
And there, all of us cried.
Later, I earned a massive applause from the audience. The principal looked at me— astounded and proud.
When I walked towards my mom, she tightly hugged me with bursted tears.
"I'm so proud of you, son. I'm really sorry for pressuring you." she apologized.
With all bursted tears, I hugged my mom tighter and out of the blue, my classmates went after me, giving me a group hug.
I smiled and cried.
Damn, I have never been more proud to be part in the last section!
© SadVerity
#Graduation
#mentalhealth
#diploma
#certificate
Upon gracefully walking towards the podium, the loud cacophony from the audiences drifted on my ears.
The scintillated medals on my neck are clinking as I sauntered in front of the microphone. Glancing at the sea of audiences, I could see the obnoxious gazes and distasteful remarks from the other students which I bet came from the star section.
I knew that some of the higher class are just rooting for me to mess up my speech. I knew that they are ready to mock and burst into fits of laughter once I stuttered or at least, getting a dead air while talking.
Well, I understand where their bitterness came from. I knew that they still couldn't believe and accept that one of the students from the last section has stood out among our batch.
"For those who don't know, I, Prince Magno, the class Valedictorian of this batch came from Section-F or others may called it as the last section," I proudly said with my head held high.
My classmates cheered at the back upon mentioning our section. They all stared at me and their eyes gleamed with sheer happiness.
I smiled at them in return and I couldn't help but to tear up silently as the memories from the past invaded my mind.
I could still remember how some of our teachers degraded us, mocked us, humiliated us and underestimated us— just because some of my classmates flunked their subjects.
And since our section is Section-F, other students from the higher class tagged us as Failures.
And now that I have the great opportunity to speak in front of those people who undervalued our section, I would make them realize that we are much more than test scores— that we are much more than our reading levels.
With a heavy chest, I walked at the center of the stage.
I then slowly removed all of my medals and raised it mid-air.
"Teachers and parents, I'm sorry but we are much more than these fake medals!" I muttered with conviction.
I let those medals fell on the marbled floor as it broke into pieces. Feeling discontented, I stomped it with my feet repeatedly.
All of them were stunned and I could see my adviser from my back who's ready to protest but the principal managed to stop her.
"These fake medals are nothing compared to all the amount of hardworks and efforts we've poured— only to receive distasteful remarks from our parents."
My heart ached as I continued.
"These shiny pieces of fake metal cannot compare to all the hardships we encountered as students!"
The first batch of tears finally escaped my eyes.
"And these?" I let the audience see my certificates and later tore it in front of their eyes.
"These are nothing compared to the demons we fought during nights, to the anxiety attacks we'd felt and to the depression we'd experienced. These piece of papers aren't enough to heal the wounds we had gotten after receiving harsh words from the teachers, discriminations from other students and hate from our parents."
With tears in my eyes, I continued tearing my certificates into pieces.
"We don't need these medals and certificates because what we need is acceptance!"
Tears continued pouring down my face.
"Having a failing remark on your grades doesn't define your success! So to our dear parents, please stop coercing and pressuring your kids to get 90+ grades on their cards. Stop comparing your kids to other students who are doing well in school. Yes, school is important. Education is important. But a student's mental and emotional health is more important than those numbers they get on their cards."
I smiled weakly and brushed my tears off.
"The tip of a red ballpen doesn't define someone's worth as a human and above all, it doesn't define a person's future whether she will succeed in life or not."
Glancing at the audience, I saw some of the parents who are starting to cry while hugging their child.
"Truth be told. Each and everyone is brilliant in their own," I muttered. "Just like my classmate who isn't that great in school but she's the best at painting."
Amreyna instantly stood up as she proudly raised her artwork. Her mother along with the audience were in deep awe upon seeing her child's masterpiece.
"If I'd display my medal along with Amreyna's artwork in a museum or in an exhibit, who do think will earn praises, attention and perhaps money? Of course her, my classmate."
I proudly smiled at Amreyna and another set of tears streamed down my cheeks.
"This should be a realization to each and everyone that every person has their own intelligence. We all have distinct places of worth. So please, stop judging a kid based on his grades. And for our parents, we must be the support system of our kids— not the roots of their depression."
My chest tightened painfully as I speak. My gaze instantly went to my mother who is seating in front.
My mother is a professor in College who's teaching about Psychology. She teaches her class about mental health yet she failed to protect her own kid from mental distress.
I smiled weakly.
"To our dear parent, may my speech enlightened your mind because honestly, there's nothing much greater feeling for a child than being praised and accepted by his parents."
And there, all of us cried.
Later, I earned a massive applause from the audience. The principal looked at me— astounded and proud.
When I walked towards my mom, she tightly hugged me with bursted tears.
"I'm so proud of you, son. I'm really sorry for pressuring you." she apologized.
With all bursted tears, I hugged my mom tighter and out of the blue, my classmates went after me, giving me a group hug.
I smiled and cried.
Damn, I have never been more proud to be part in the last section!
© SadVerity
#Graduation
#mentalhealth
#diploma
#certificate
