<p>We had four student speakers this year. 3 people were tied for salutatorian and there was one valedictorian. The one sal talked about himself, a very sexy celebrity, and his family. He made sure to highlight that he was attending an ivy; so much so that he cleared his throat before he said it. His speech was full of hubris. The other students had exceptional speeches.</p>
<p>At my S’s graduation, I felt sorry for the val. She spoke first, followed by the sal who gave a speech that was incredible. (The school was smart, so the sal had to submit his speech in advance while the val didn’t. Very wise on their part, I might add.) Nevertheless, he was brilliant, insightful, witty and just exceptional. The poor val gave a speech that was, well, pedestrian in the extreme. Both nice kids, both went to ivies, but the difference was just embarrassing at the time.</p>
<p>This is why some very smart people don’t advance in their careers. IQ does not equal EQ. It’s a pity some of these kids won’t learn that lesson younger.</p>
<p>maikai, I’m wondering where those speakers are headed off to college.</p>
<p>If they’re going to HYPSM, they’re going to get knocked down a few healthy pegs within a week or two. No one there is going to be impressed.</p>
<p>OP - I’m also wondering what types of things these speakers said and where they’re headed off to college. I’ve heard a good number of speeches – some are better than others, but I always think the most condescending are the ones where every sentence starts with “I” and the entire speech is about that val/sal and their family and friends and no one else in the class. I’ve also heard a few where the val/sal HAD to mention where they were going to school, just to make sure EVERYONE knew. As Hanna said, I think these types do get knocked down a few pegs when they get to college and realize that everyone else has similar or better accomplishments as them and while they may have been a big deal in their hometown, they are not a big deal at their Ivy/top 10/whatever.</p>
<p>I haven’t seen a huge problem besides regular 18 yr old arrogance – the mean speeches/saying who they didn’t like/bashing the school types – I thought all schools would have been reviewing speeches in advance to make sure that doesn’t happen? Though I guess if someone is determined, they can always made edits after a speech has been approved by the school to get a few “remarks” in there.</p>
<p>Sorry, I really don’t want to give too many details. I don’t know who from our school district reads this. If I repeated their most egregious passages, it would uniquely identify these children. I’ll just say both speeches were self serving and condescending. </p>
<p>My point was never to cause pain or hurtful feelings towards these two… or their parents. My point was to save others from making a similar mistake. </p>
<p>I feel really sad for the boys. It’s a pity that was the last impression they left on their peers and their community. I know their parents and I’ve known the boys since they’ve been in kindergarten. I don’t think these speeches were representative of the souls of these boys or their families. </p>
<p>Both are going to Ivys.</p>
<p>I certainly hope the school did not approve those speeches!</p>
<p>When my kid was val and the speaker at her graduation, I am pretty sure she had to submit the draft of her speech prior to giving it. And of course, she wanted her parents to also look it over, which we did.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Did it take place at one of the NYC SHS by any chance? </p>
<p>Although my SHS had plenty of kids who’d make such speeches if given the chance, however…and thankfully, none of them made it high enough to be given the opportunity to do so. </p>
<p>I’ll grant you that if they did make such a speech…it would have been much more memorable…for all the wrong reasons.</p>