Valedictorian Speech and the thoughts that follow.

Ok. So first of all, hey there guys! I am noob in this site, so I hope I'm posting in the correct forum.


Anyways. In three days time, I have to prepare my Valedictorian (farewell) speech, and honestly...I didn't think my fears would permeate public speaking as well, because I'm usually more concerned about health related issues.

My first fear is: I don't even have a draft ready, nada. I don't know what joke would I make of myself on the stage.
Secondly, I think everyone hates me, and hates me even more because I was chosen for the speech. I fear my speech ending with glares from my classmates and boos from the crowd and derisive snickers from my juniors (they think I'm that one loser nerd who has upped their parent's expectation about them, thus, made their lives hell)
I don't know where to start. I've always been insecure about my intelligence. And my mom thinks I always need to be protected. Is it because I'm so dumb? I could have used this time preparing for my speech instead of posting in a forum.
My insecurities haven't gotten worse yet but I know it will. It will steal my sleep, because I'm so concerned about what others will think, if they think I'm ugly when the spotlight's on me etc. Guys...please please, if you have any words of comfort, say it. I feel so completely cornered by my anxious nature.

Hi Mysha67. If you can just set aside your insecurities - don't believe the inner negativities - and go ahead with the speech, it will be a personal achievement which will help boost your self confidence. Begin working on your speech, get it over with, so to speak, and then do small things to help with your self esteem and self confidence. You can do it Mysha67, and you'll be very proud of yourself. Everybody will be.

Congratulations for being Valedictorian, that’s no easy feat! The others are envious. They wish it was themselves up there in your place, making their hover parents proud. There will always be people under you wanting to knock you down and take your place. Don’t let them do it!

You are probably one of those achievers who frets about the event and then gives a perfect speech the last minute.

Go write a good speech. Include timely things like the school shootings and an unknown future. But give your fellows optimism to go out in the world and make it a better place.

One of my best friends in high school (a long time ago!) was the covaledictorian. IMO she accomplished this (this is something you can always be proud of!) mostly through hard work. Of course she was not unintelligent--but there were likely some people in our high school who had higher IQs yet were not able to get such high grades for a variety of reasons. From my POV, that friend (the covaledictorian) has really thrived. She appears to have a good marriage, significant friendships, a job, etc.--I got to know her well in high school and her intelligence was only a small factor in this success.

Can you make a joke about your anxiety? For instance--was there a time you overprepared to excess (made extreme sacrifices) and it was unnecessary? IMO anxiety can be good when we channel correctly. It's also bad if your anxiety is giving you writer's block. I recommend running or taking a walk when you have writer's block.

After you get this speech written and done--just really enjoy it. You deserve to celebrate this extraordinary accomplishment!!!

Oh, goodness gracious! I’ve not thought about my valedictorian speech in years!

I remember having fun with the speech — I started the speech circuit in my 10th year — and, do you know, it never occurred to me that I should be frightened of what any others thought of me. My topic was something about how we, we contemporaneous youth, were going to make Big Changes.

We didn’t.

If you’re looking for inspiration, I would suggest just sitting down, taking pen to paper, and writing words and phrases that spring to mind. Somewhere amongst those pages you’ll be able to tie one word, or more, to another and you’ll find your topic.

Good luck. You’ll be brilliant.

Quick update guys: I delivered the speech, and Oh my God, it went surprisingly so well! Didn't stutter once, the whole hall was silent and attentive and I loved every second of it. There were jealousy from some of my classmates, who willingly made me feel like "Oh no you sucked, we don't care about your stupid speech or to clap for you" It was sorta...disheartening, I mean, who won't feel bad after being treated that way, but after all, it was me who gave the speech successfully at the end of the day, not them.

On a very different note:

Welcome to PC.

I hope you find the information and the support you may be seeking.
Please make yourself at home. Jump in wherever you feel led to do so.

Your first 5 posts are approved by a moderator before they appear. After 5 approved posts, you will also have access to chatrooms and to the Private Messaging (PM) system.

I hope to see you around the forums.


WC

Glad you got through your speech and it was well-received.

You're not going to please everybody--I don't think any of us can. Instead of letting the haters take space in your head, think of the good stuff. Their jealousy is a reflection of them, not of you.