Valedictorian’s speech

Eugene Oh

To the principal, teachers, faculty, staff, parents, friends, and, of course, the Buford High School graduates of the class of 2022, good evening.

I’ve agonized over this speech for the past week because of my fear of public speaking, but it looks like I’ll have to suffer one last time before I am set free for the summer. In preparation for this, I’ve watched and taken notes of the many great speeches that have been given around the U.S. in the past years and I’ve recognized that I could never match up with those guys in the short amount of time I have had.

But what I can do for you today is convey an analogy between the class of 2022 and a potato that I have brought today in case anyone needs to reference it.

This plain chunk of carb represents the students we are today as we get ready to graduate and take a step into the adult world whether that be going to college, vocational school, the military, or the workforce. Fortunately for those of us here today, we have been prepared by some of the best teachers students could ask for, and it is now up to us to take advantage of this opportunity and become the best version of ourselves.

I am sure that at times, many of us here today can likely relate to being a couch potato, lazing around and scrolling through hours of social media until we realize that the entire day was wasted away. However, like potatoes, many of us won’t remain plain and will likely be formed into something more extravagant ... like McDonald’s fries. Although I would prefer Chick-fil-A’s.

On the other hand, some of us will reach even higher heights, becoming Michelin star quality. Regardless, I know that like how potatoes have been vital to the growth of the world in the past, this graduating class will be vital to the future growth in both existing and non-existing industries.

We are essentially potatoes in the way that our currently plain nature can be transformed into something extravagant do not doubt that as this class moves forward, these students will continue to strive for Triple A excellence as often said over the speakers. by the chefs that mold us that come in the form of influences and experiences. The new people we will meet and grow close to are the people that will mold us in the future, thus we must do our best to surround ourselves with friends and mentors that are the chefs that make the potato into something much more.

These four years in high school have been filled with many experiences that have shaped us into the people we are here as today and I hope that each one of us will continue to meet new people and experience new things throughout our futures, all the while holding on to the relationships and memories we’ve formed throughout high school.

Many students today have already accomplished great things such as wins in football, wrestling, and literary state championships. Not only were there state champions, but there were also the Banana Bandits, who managed to accomplish the amazing feat of collecting 169 bananas just last week. I

As I near the end of this speech, I’m sure many of you are curious about the “So what” of the potatoes. So here it is. The potatoes represent us, the Class of 2022, and our ability to rise and face any obstacle that may be thrown at us in the inevitable future. We will be able to thrive in any environment similar to potatoes because of the great potential that lies in each and every one of us and our ability to utilize all that we have gained over the past four years at Buford High School.

As I was thinking about how to end this speech, I realized that like me, many of you are likely anxious to set foot into an unknown world. So to those who are still anxious about the future, remember that even plain potatoes can make a delicious meal when you’re hungry.

Congratulations, Buford Class of 2022!

Fortunately for those of us here today, we have been prepared by some of the best teachers students could ask for, and it is now up to us to take advantage of this opportunity and become the best version of ourselves.