Valedictorian Speech
Ryan Carter
Dillon High School Valedictorian
Class of 2025
Good morning to my fellow students, their parents, and the staff of Dillon High School. I am Ryan Carter, and it is a tremendous honor that I stand before you as the valedictorian for the class of 2025.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that I did not get here on my own. The good Lord put me up here, and I can’t take any credit without giving it to him first. Also, I cannot forget the people that aided me on my journey. I would like to say thank you to the people that helped me along the way. It was not only their guidance, but their belief in me that pushed me to achieve everything I have so far.
I wouldn’t be giving a speech in front of all of you without my parents, whose guidance helped me become the person I am today. They raised me to have an emphasis on work ethic and perseverance, and what I have achieved is impossible without them. Their continued support reminds me that someone will always be in my corner no matter if I win or lose. So, wherever you are in the stands, mom and dad, thank you.
I cannot fail to mention the teachers that showed nothing but pure faith in me to succeed. There are several teachers that believed that I could do whatever I wanted to do after these four glorious years. Even in times that I didn’t believe in myself they had full faith. Without them I don’t know if I would have achieved as much as I did. I am so thankful for the staff at Dillon High School.
Finally, I would like to thank you all, my fellow students of Dillon High School. I would not take any of you for granted because you made my high school experience.
We should all feel a sense of pride and accomplishment for what we have achieved. All that time sleeping through the first two blocks has led to this. But more seriously, the countless hours we have spent working in and out of school have come to fruition today, for today is the day we become high school graduates.
We have come a long way since our first year here and now it is time to see what kind of lives we lead outside of high school. I urge all of us to dream big, for there is only one person that can hold you back from accomplishing anything you dream of; yourself.
I would like to share a saying that Coach Coward would say to us at baseball practice. I’m sure my fellow baseball brothers, Dan, Austin, Jamison, and Canaurey can predict what I am going to say next. Attendance, attitude, and effort. Regardless of what your plans are in life, these three words can help you achieve anything you want for yourself. Show up with a great attitude and give all you can give, leave nothing left in your tank, and everything will work out for you. I look forward to seeing all we can achieve and what life has in store for us.
I know you all are ready to graduate and hear “excellence is essential at Dillon High School” for the last time. I don’t think any of us will forget those words for as long as we live.
I want to leave you with a final quote from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, “the universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”
No matter what challenges come your way or what plans get thrown out, keep your faith and know you can overcome them. Look at yourself, you’ve already accomplished so much and there’s more on the way.
I wish you all luck in your future endeavors and congratulations to the entire class of 2025.
