Speech Elementary Graduation Invited Guest Speaker

“Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan”

Let me begin by welcoming all of you to today’s event and thanking (NAME OF PERSON WHO INTRODUCED YOU) for that kind introduction.

(Greetings) To our beloved principal, ________________, my fellow colleagues in the profession, the non-teaching staff, parents, guardians and of course ang bida sa araw na ito, the graduates of (school) _____________, a pleasant morning/afternoon.

I’m very pleased to have been invited to speak here today on what I know is a very special day. It’s special for the graduates, for their proud parents, guardians and grandparents. Siguro natutuwa rin ang inyong mga guro na makita ang kanilang mga paboritong mag-aaral na sa wakas ay gagraduate na. Naalala ko minsan tinanong ako ng isa sa mga naging estudyante ko, kung natatandaan ko pa ba s’ya, ang sabi ko, oo naman, lalo na at ang tumatatak sa isip ng mga guro ay yaong mga mag-aaral na mababait at ‘yung mga ______, kayo na nga ang magdugtong, syempre ‘yung mas mababait. Naku, hintayin natin na sila ay makapagtapos sa kolehiyo, at siguro ang mga magulang ng mga batang ito ay magpapapyesta.

As I begin, I have to say, I think the best speeches are those that have a great beginning, a memorable end, and not much in between. I will try then to make a great speech. Today is one of those great occasions when we get to celebrate our young people – their achievements, their perseverance and their successes as they grow up. It’s one of the times you can take a break and reflect, feeling good as a parent or a mentor, knowing that the kids you care about are doing just fine and they’re on the right path.

Graduates, you should know that your moms and dads are very proud of you today. They have high hopes for you, and they believe in you, and you are making them proud by showing what you can do. Inyu ngang tingnan ang inyung mga magulang, andyan sila panay ang selfie sa inyu, panay ang kuha ng litrato, dahil mamaya mapupuno na naman ang facebook walls ninyu ng mga graduation pictures. Ito ay dahil ang araw na ito ay importante para sa inyo at sa kanila.  Today they are very, very proud of you. At dahil maganda ang mga mood nila ngayon, naku, samantalahin nyu na. (PAUSE) Pwede na humingi ng pambili ng bagong damit o cellphone.

Today would also be a good day to hug them and thank them for supporting you, because as much as this is your achievement, this is also the achievement of the people who care about you. That means your mom, your dad, your step mom or step dad, your grandparents, your sisters and brothers, and all the other people who care about you. They want you to be your best and to live up to your potential.

Graduations can be seen as a coming of age, a sort of official way to recognize when a person steps into the next stage of life, and graduates, you are stepping into a new stage.

With every year, you have become a little more independent. I bet you can still remember your first day here – it might have been exciting and a little intimidating too. Siguro habang tinitingnan nyo ang mga kinder at grade one pupils na pumapasok, nasasabi mong “Wow! Ang liliit naman nila, ‘di ka makapaniwala na ganyan ka rin noon, tumatakbo sa playground habang halu-halo na ang pawis at dumi, hindi natuloy alam ng mga teacher n’yu ang amoy n’yu after lunch.”

But when you she younger students, you can tell how much you’ve grown up, how much you’ve learned and how much you’ve matured. Think back on some of the exciting things that happened this year, all the things you learned. Baka ngayong taon nalaman mo na wala pala talagang forever at kailangan maghintay ng_______, ano mga graduates? Tamang panahon.

You had some great time this year, and maybe you had some tough times, but you did it and you succeeded. You’re ready for that next step. I ask you as you prepare for this next step to do a few things.

First, stop texting your friend or posting in facebookabout how you wish the speaker would hurry up and finish talking so you could go to Jollibee, Gaisano, City Mall or your favorite restaurant.

Secondly, I ask you to take this chance to dedicate yourself to making the next year even better. Remember that you don’t have to follow the crowd. Do the right thing, even if no one is looking. Study hard and remember that you’re investing in yourself with every test you take and every book you read. And finally, don’t be in too big of a hurry to grow up. These are some great times in your life. Don’t rush past them.

There are great things coming, and just as your parents are proud, each one of you should feel proud of yourself.

So congratulations to all of the graduates, congratulations to the parents, and finally, congrats to the teachers and everyone else who helped our graduates reach here today.

I’ll leave you with this final quote, from a great author with whom I imagine you are all familar, by the name of Dr. Seuss.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

Congratulations again, and thank you for your attention.