Baccalaureate & Commencement Speakers
Baccalaureate: This is a service of faith. Shoot for around a five-minute speech.
My advice: Don’t preach. Even Christ used stories and examples when He wanted to make a point. The best baccalaureate speeches come out of the speaker’s own, personal experience. Dig deep for times when your faith has been what’s pulled you through, where you’ve seen the faith of your classmates make a difference, where you’ve seen the faith in this community be of benefit to others, or where you’ve had to rely heavily on your faith. Some other ideas include: How the faith of your family put you where you are today … How faith makes the Triopia community different from many others … the people who pray for you and others… the kids who pray for each other..
The main thing is, make it personal if you want people to listen. You may speak to the audience on behalf of your classmates, or to your classmates.
The Prayers: make them direct, simple, and honest. Legally this must be called “Opening” and “Closing” and we can’t tell you to pray. But that’s what been done in the past.
The Introductions: Shoot for 1-2 min. Briefly cover all the necessary ground (what they’ve done, etc.) but dwell especially on the personal qualities. The best introduction centers on one or two personal qualities of the speaker then tells a short story exemplifying that trait. Or maybe find a character trait and look for a quotation on that word. This makes for a kicky intro. For example, Sometimes eyes tell us everything about a person and if that’s the case with our next speaker, we should know a great deal. We’ve seen those beautiful eyes on the basketball court, on the Triopia stage, the Pom Squad, and in many area theatre productions. Hannah has been a creative force at both our school and other stages ever since her Jr. High days, as well as being a respected leader in our class. This fall she’ll be attending Southeast Missouri University and another state will be able to witness the joy those eyes have brought us. Ladies and gentlemen, Hannah Stephens. (Something like that.. cover the accomplishments but make it PERSONAL..make the audience want to hear the speaker.) Baccalaureate order: Processional (played on the piano usually..sometimes the chorus teacher, sometimes me, sometimes a non-senior student… Opening…senior Music… usually a group of seniors although some times in the past the entire chorus has sung..if so, Mrs. Smith needs to know. Introduction of Speakers…..senior Addresses ……. seniors Closing ……. senior Recessional (same deal as the processional)
Commencement Speakers: It might be good to remember that the word commencement comes from “commence” which means a beginning. As I’ve mentioned to the baccalaureate speakers, the personal speeches are the ones that are remembered most. Whatever stories you choose to tell will probably exemplify what others feel, too. Feel free to mention names of fellow classmates in your speech. Nothing perks up an audience’s ears like the mention of a proper name. (But be careful about “inside stories.” Remember that you’ll have many people at commencement who know only one member of your class.) You may speak to your classmates or to the audience on behalf of your classmates. Some ideas: ---A speech of thanks to those who’ve helped you get this far. ---Advice for those who follow. ---Your hopes and dreams for the class. ---A summary of whom your class is and what they’ve gone through to get here. ---The potential for individuals making a difference in the world. ---An encouragement to your classmates to be happy/successful/productive, etc.
And please feel free to use none of these ideas if you have a better angle!
The best speech is a NEW ANGLE on an OLD IDEA. Please don’t try to say too many things… make too many points… in a speech this short. One or two ideas illustrated with examples, quotations, stories, poems, songs, etc., is better than a speech with five points. Your audience simply won’t remember that many. One girl finished her speech a few years ago by singing..it was really nice. Others have used props…Drew H used his cap. Another student used something that Mrs. Foley had given them years ago.
For all speakers: When I speak in a situation like this, I try to do these things: ⇒Be memorable ⇒Avoid being trite at all costs (“The future is ours!” “This is not an ending but a beginning!” “Tonight we stand at the door of our future!” Puke!!!!) ⇒Never do what the audience expects. Sing, dance, read a poem..just keep your clothes on. ⇒Show my audience that above all, I love them and I truly care about them. I didn’t come to hear myself speak, but truly came to give them something.
Other suggestions for all speakers: Look through books of quotations. Look on the net for quotations sources. Think about lyrics to songs which speak to what you’re trying to say. Look at poetry. (especially the non sing-songy type) Talk to your parents about your speech. Simply ask yourself, “If I were sitting in the audience, what sort of speech would I want to hear?”
Take a drive and think. If you’re lucky enough to have woods near you, take a walk. Lay in your bed and imagine yourself behind the podium. Pray, shut up, and let God talk to you.
All speakers: Some people choose to write out their speeches word for word. That’s okay as long as you keep it conversational. Some choose to use notes. Guys: take your hat off to speak. DO NOT WING IT! This is a biggie. Most speakers are more comfortable in a situation like this to write you speech out.
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