Graduation Speech 2014



Good morning to the principal, teachers, parents and, above all, the would-be graduates. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to deliver this commencement address.

 Graduation season is once again in the air. The backdrop of the grandly decorated hall is emblazoned with the phrase Majlis Graduasi Pelajar Tingkatan Lima, and a look of anticipation is written on every would-be graduate’s face. Five years ago, they were little kids who felt insecure on their first day of school. Knowing very little about what they should do, they groped and fumbled around in the dark, stumbling on countless occasions along the way. With proper guidance from their teachers and support from their parents, the students took baby steps into a world of discovery, learning to see things with a gradually improved perception through a motley assortment of academic and non-academic activities. Towards the final leg of their journey at our school, it is heartening to see them becoming increasingly stable and surefooted on their walk, like a flower slowly unfolding its petals in eddying shapes amidst a whorl of leaves. The unfolded petals refer to the wisdom gained, and the whorl of leaves embodies the foundation of education that contributes to the wholesomeness of their characters. 

My dear students, today, at the climax of the graduation ceremony, you will stand poised on the stage in your graduation robes and receive acknowledgement of your hard work. What a moment of pride it will be, and you should attribute your success to your ever-supportive teachers and parents. Without them, you would not have made such a great stride in your lives. To show your gratitude, go out and live meaningful lives by arming yourselves with unwavering faith and moral uprightness. Be law abiding and charitable to the needy, and always be humble about your achievements.

The moment the graduation ceremony comes to a close, you will officially enter the phase of early adulthood. In two months, you will sit the SPM examination and then face the stark reality of making the right decisions in your lives. Some of you may prefer to further your studies or join the workforce. Whatever choice you make, you should be brave in facing the consequences. Be not afraid of failure because it helps you to grow spiritually, thereby enabling you to cope with your challenges with greater tenacity. Carve your niche when opportunities arise, and never count your chickens before they hatch. As the future backbone of our nation, you play a very vital role in blazing trails in uncharted fields. The future is yours. Grasp it, hold it and be a role model wherever you go.
Thank you.

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