Publish at June 28 2011 Updated June 11 2026
My daughters’ high school, an ordinary public school, still produces more than 400 graduates every year. Among them are future artists, politicians, journalists, and business leaders whom the administration will undoubtedly invite one day to address the students during a theme week or a public event. The motivational effect on the students is undeniable and fills the auditorium every time.
In the United States, the tradition of inviting a prominent figure to address the graduating class each year is well established. You may have already read or seen Steve Jobs’ speech at Stanford in 2005. A model of its kind, combining emotion, substance, and inspiration.
Not all speakers are of this caliber, especially if they don’t often speak in public, but most are surprising, to say the least. However, the effort and care an institution puts into attracting prominent figures sends several messages: students are important to the school and to society; their school is a good school. For the average graduating student, this message can instill confidence, inspire pride, and consequently motivate them to pursue further education or enter the workforce.
This tradition deserves to be shared more widely.
Here are several of these speeches, to give you some ideas.
Source: What 10 eminent speakers told graduates
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