I received a text message from my father last week. He was asking me to write a speech for Benedict, a young kid who is very close to our family. He will graduate in elementary this March and he is the valedictorian of their class. Now my sister is keep on reminding me about the speech, I finally made one for Benedict. I am not actually a speech writer. I am just a blogger but never been a formal writer, like for a speech. I used to be an informal speaker as well and i don’t actually prepare a written speech. I just speak from the heart.
Without further blah blah (lols!), here’s the portion (still a draft copy) of the speech with a theme:
YOUR GIFT OF LEARNING, OUR TOOL FOR NATION BUILDING
Hope I faired well writing this one.
I see many eyes looking at me today.
In the eyes of the many, they see a young member of the society – a young individual with a great life ahead. In the eyes of my teachers, they see a successful and brilliant pupil –a graduate with great potential to become someone someday. In the eyes of my fellow graduates and classmates, they see me as the top member of our batch and at the same time a playmate and a friend. In the eyes of my proud parents they see a loving and obedient son – a son who will become a role model to my siblings, and a part of the foundation of our family.
If you ask me today, how I see myself, I will look in the mirror and most probably see my reflection. I will see nothing but a young child. I will still see the young me when I first entered our beloved school.
Six years have passed since I entered this school. I enrolled and came armed only by a neatly sharpened pencil, a pad paper and a bag hanging to my shoulder. Back then, I was an innocent child who was about to be educated with basic skills- writing alphabets, reading simple words and sentences and counting numbers. I kept on acquiring more knowledge in each succeeding years. My subjects and the lessons attached turned from basic to complex. Each year, greater amount of time was continuously devoted to my study. Finally the long six years has ended. It is with great pleasure to share with you today my journey throughout these years.
It was a great journey. I have a fair share of dark and gloomy episodes and cheerful and inspiring moments in my life. During my journey, there are three lessons I learned which I would like to share with you.
First, I learned that life has many stages. There is a beginning and end of all these stages. One of these is our life in elementary school. Together with my fellow graduates, our quest to gain elementary education has finally ended but our ultimate goal to finish our education is not yet done. A couple of months from now, we are knocking the doors as freshmen in high school. I know all of us are excited and at the same time anxious as we move on to a new phase of our life. We will enter a new environment totally different from what we used to be in. If before we only had pencils and pad papers, now we are bringing with us the primary education we gained from our beloved Alma Mater.
My dear graduates, may we also have the COURAGE as we continue our secondary education. I would like to thank my parents as they keep on supporting me. I still look forward to the day my parents will see me accept my college diploma. To all other parents, we all know that life is tough amid with increasing prices in basic commodities and sending us to school is big challenge. However, the best gift you could give us is the gift of education. I hope all of my fellow graduates will get the opportunity to enrol in high school in the coming next school year.
Second, I learned the importance of developing more skills. Aside from basic skills taught to us there are other aspects of our life which I need to improve. Our Emotional Intelligence is one of them. Our interpersonal skills, the way we deal with the people around us is very much important. Every day we meet and relate to different people with different attitudes, morals, and upbringing. It is just right to master the art of communicating and connecting with them.
Let us also enhance our God-give talents. My dear graduates, now is the perfect time for us to explore and identify our talents. There are reasons why God has given to us talents and it is just right to share it to people. Indeed the knowledge and trainings are not only confined within the four corners of a classroom. I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to all my teachers for providing basic skills and for opening the path as we explore and develop our skills and talents.
Lastly, I learned that the formula to success is hardwork and prayer. I am proud to say that my efforts and hardship are paid by recognition. However, even without recognition and awards in the form of medals and ribbons, one must still persevere and work hard for success. I believe that some of us are late bloomers but high school is another field where we can grow and glow. My dear graduates aspire for more and don’t settle for being an average individual. Learn to appreciate life and accept the challenges it brings to us.
Also be reminded that God is always with us. He is always present in our life. I am not here today without His hands holding me and delivering this simple message. Believe in the power of prayer.
These three lessons I learned are my tools in helping our country build a strong nation in the future. Years from now, we will become the working force of our country. I hope when that day comes, we are already responsible citizens, with skills and talents to share to our fellow Filipinos and successful in our endeavour under the guidance of our Almighty God.
To all graduates of 2012 may these lessons be our lessons in life.
Congratulations and may we all be an inspiration to all!
To Benedict, congratulations! Happy Graduation! =)
DB