I actually just got out of the office and they finally agreed to let me speak at graduation so it is happening. I am honestly in shock because I thought for sure they would stay stubborn but they actually folded and gave me the spot back. Thank you for pushing …
July 23, 2015
Final supporters
Hello,
I am not one to complain and I am normally very forgiving; however, today, I heard something that was unacceptable. Earlier this year, I found out that I was the valedictorian. Although I was ecstatic to be it, I didn't want to brag because I knew that there are people who have worked very hard and were unable to receive such achievements. And while I sat silently, trying to think of a heart-warming speech, today I found out that I would not be giving the speech at graduation. Although this is a well known tradition at any high school, my high school has decided to use someone else, through speech auditions, to speak on my behalf.
Although the speaker has every right to give his/her's speech, I also believed that, as the valedictorian, I would automatically be given the right to a speech of my own (but this is not the case). I really do not mind a student speaker, as long as I also get a farewell speech. However, I was neither informed nor asked about this decision. I feel that my school was too unjust to suddenly break tradition after 10 years. I have worked extremely hard and was never selfish enough to want something so bad, as I want it now. Please, help me to regain this right!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 4, 2015
June 3, 2015
I have been staring at my notes for a speech I might not even get to give while my phone keeps buzzing with all these messages from people who went through the exact same thing years ago. It feels surreal knowing so many others felt silenced by this same policy and my head is spinning trying to figure out how to get the administration to actually acknowledge that tradition matters.
June 2, 2015
I really can not believe how many people are seeing this right now since we are heading toward one thousand signatures way faster than I ever thought possible. If you could just ping one person who lives in town or maybe post this on your feed it would mean the world because the administration is definitely paying attention to how fast this is growing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 2, 2015
261 Comments
The new system would overlook the introverts that earned a fair chance. This is just another way for society to embed compition- praising the extrovert. It teaches them that hard work isn't enough, you have to be amiable for the crowd. I am a disappointed alumni.
Keep up the fight! It's great to see that you didn't accept such a lousy decision. You've earned your spot and you should absolutely have your moment. If the school can't figure out how to make this right, post your speech to YouTube and be heard by millions. Your story deserves to go viral. Good luck.
I'm a 2012 Freedom graduate. I don't know you, but I support you and what you are doing! You both should speak, although I don't think they should have taken away your privilege and given to someone else in the first place. I'm sorry this is happening. Good luck!
I was part of the first graduating class of Freedom HS. We had the valedictorian make a speech then and that is how it should be. They should be able to speak after all the hard work they put in.
Ok...I understand the disappointment...But giving the valedictorian speech is not a "right" as stated several times; It's an earned privilege and should be treated as such. There's a big difference. The valedictorian should know this...just my opinion
Hello Everyone, This is Shannon Menezes; the girl for whom you are supporting in this petition. I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your overwhelming support regarding the speech. The principal has finally given in writing that I can give my speech at graduation. This is a great victory not only for me, but also for all those who stood for justice and for the future of all Valedictorians. Again, words cannot describe how much your support was instrumental in making this work. Thank you so much!! I love you all :') Please pass this news on to anyone who supported me and would like to know the outcome.
This is part and parcel of the ongoing Republican War on Education, and needs to die aborning. Let the Valedictorian speak! The name actually means "the one who says farewell"! This is arrant censorship on the part of those who dishonor their positions of control, and badly need to be removed from those positions of power when they prove that they cannot handle said power with grace and responsibility. Let the Valedictorian speak, or step down!
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I actually just got out of the office and they finally agreed to let me speak at graduation so it is happening. I am honestly in shock because I thought for sure they would stay stubborn but they actually folded and gave me the spot back. Thank you for pushing …
July 23, 2015
Final supporters
Hello,
I am not one to complain and I am normally very forgiving; however, today, I heard something that was unacceptable. Earlier this year, I found out that I was the valedictorian. Although I was ecstatic to be it, I didn't want to brag because I knew that there are people who have worked very hard and were unable to receive such achievements. And while I sat silently, trying to think of a heart-warming speech, today I found out that I would not be giving the speech at graduation. Although this is a well known tradition at any high school, my high school has decided to use someone else, through speech auditions, to speak on my behalf.
Although the speaker has every right to give his/her's speech, I also believed that, as the valedictorian, I would automatically be given the right to a speech of my own (but this is not the case). I really do not mind a student speaker, as long as I also get a farewell speech. However, I was neither informed nor asked about this decision. I feel that my school was too unjust to suddenly break tradition after 10 years. I have worked extremely hard and was never selfish enough to want something so bad, as I want it now. Please, help me to regain this right!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 4, 2015
June 3, 2015
I have been staring at my notes for a speech I might not even get to give while my phone keeps buzzing with all these messages from people who went through the exact same thing years ago. It feels surreal knowing so many others felt silenced by this same policy and my head is spinning trying to figure out how to get the administration to actually acknowledge that tradition matters.
June 2, 2015
I really can not believe how many people are seeing this right now since we are heading toward one thousand signatures way faster than I ever thought possible. If you could just ping one person who lives in town or maybe post this on your feed it would mean the world because the administration is definitely paying attention to how fast this is growing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 2, 2015
261 Comments
Those actions to select a speaker who has not earned that right defeats the purpose of hard work & fortitude. So where along the line it has been forgotten what valedictorian stands for. To be little that honor shows true contempt for the word valedictorian. And that isn't excusable in any level.
The new system would overlook the introverts that earned a fair chance. This is just another way for society to embed compition- praising the extrovert. It teaches them that hard work isn't enough, you have to be amiable for the crowd. I am a disappointed alumni.
Keep up the fight! It's great to see that you didn't accept such a lousy decision. You've earned your spot and you should absolutely have your moment. If the school can't figure out how to make this right, post your speech to YouTube and be heard by millions. Your story deserves to go viral. Good luck.
I'm a 2012 Freedom graduate. I don't know you, but I support you and what you are doing! You both should speak, although I don't think they should have taken away your privilege and given to someone else in the first place. I'm sorry this is happening. Good luck!
I was part of the first graduating class of Freedom HS. We had the valedictorian make a speech then and that is how it should be. They should be able to speak after all the hard work they put in.
Ok...I understand the disappointment...But giving the valedictorian speech is not a "right" as stated several times; It's an earned privilege and should be treated as such. There's a big difference. The valedictorian should know this...just my opinion
Hello Everyone, This is Shannon Menezes; the girl for whom you are supporting in this petition. I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your overwhelming support regarding the speech. The principal has finally given in writing that I can give my speech at graduation. This is a great victory not only for me, but also for all those who stood for justice and for the future of all Valedictorians. Again, words cannot describe how much your support was instrumental in making this work. Thank you so much!! I love you all :') Please pass this news on to anyone who supported me and would like to know the outcome.
This is part and parcel of the ongoing Republican War on Education, and needs to die aborning. Let the Valedictorian speak! The name actually means "the one who says farewell"! This is arrant censorship on the part of those who dishonor their positions of control, and badly need to be removed from those positions of power when they prove that they cannot handle said power with grace and responsibility. Let the Valedictorian speak, or step down!
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Those actions to select a speaker who has not earned that right defeats the purpose of hard work & fortitude. So where along the line it has been forgotten what valedictorian stands for. To be little that honor shows true contempt for the word valedictorian. And that isn't excusable in any level.