Writing this speech for me was one of the most stressful things I have ever done. For days, I toiled over what to speak about, worried that I would bore you, or say the wrong thing. I tried to write a witty and funny speech designed to entertain you, but a lack of ability ultimately forced me to give up. This speech is the culmination of hours of brainstorming, three rejected rough drafts, editing, and finally me just putting my heart and soul on paper. It, as practically all speeches do, contains all the expected words of praise and well wishing.
Distinguished guests, family, friends, and fellow graduates…. Thank you all for being here today. I am Roger Ho and it is my honour to say a few words on behalf of this graduating class.
Graduation speech can be quite a tricky affair because there is nothing really new. Chances are you’ve probably heard one of the three standard graduation speeches before…“Be all you can be”, or “Today is the first day of the beginning of the rest of your life” But this final one is something new…“Be like me”… I think I’ve to skip this since Mr Rashid asked me to limit my talk to just 5 minutes.
On a more serious note, a graduation ceremony is a right of passage – it is an occasion for reflecting on what is past and what is yet to come. We arrived in Novation Business School exactly a year ago expecting to leave with no less than something that will last us for the rest of our lives
When I look back over the year, there are too many experiences to mention individually:
- All the gatherings, revisions and classes;
- Our tea break conversations;
- That infamous bowling session; and
- Dinner at the opposite coffee shop before the class etc.
But I have to mention the people…and there are just some memories that instantly bring a smile to our faces:
- Mr Ronnie, our School Principal who started the sports program
- Mr Rashid and Ms Lily, our School staff who served us diligently with pride and professionalism
- Our lecturers & mentors; Mr Fu Qiang, Mr Johnson Sng, Mr Victor Lee and last but not least Mr Ronnie Lee who patiently guided us through
Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together and join me to give them a round of applause in appreciation. Thank you.
As I look around this afternoon I see many people here who have put in many hours of studying, a lot of effort has been put in by everyone. This class is made up of students from all different ages; our class is a very diverse and dedicated one. Being a part time student who had to attend classes twice nightly per week was indeed a difficult task as most of us hold full time jobs, are active in our communities as coaches, volunteers, athletes and leaders and on top of that many have families to take care of. To all those who have supported us, on behalf of our class, I thank you. Our hard work has finally paid off and we now hold many things that cannot be taken away from us, and one of these is our Advanced Diploma.
Each and every one of us deserves the greatest congratulations. We have paid a price to be here; put tears, sweat, blood, frustration, anger, effort and now triumph at Novation Business School. We should all be incredibly proud of ourselves. Not just for making it here, but for making it here with style. No matter what happens to us five years from now, no matter what changes our life goes through in the next five years, we will always have been a part of this class. Nothing can ever change that, and there will never again be a class like this one. So school staff, family and friends, take one last good look at this amazing group of people, including me before we head off on our separate ways. I know that none of you will need luck for the future, that your ambition and drive and your inspiring personalities will get you farther than my best wishes. But hey, what the heck, from this moment on, may the force be with us.
Thank you.
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