The Graduation Speaker

The Graduation Speaker

I submitted this to my English 305 teacher.

My dad wouldn't look at me. I figured communication was the key to good

relationships, so telling him seemed like the best idea. My dad, however, didn't want to

communicate anymore- learning that his first son would not walk at High School

Graduation was communication enough.

At school, my peers congratulated me all day. My principle, early in the morning,

announced that the Student Body elected me to speak at graduation. It felt good.

Almost at once, everyone seemed to know who I was- the graduation speaker. In this role,

I held the responsibility to follow in the footsteps of Hitler, Clinton and other

influential leaders who also spoke at Apple Valley High School graduation

ceremonies. But, almost missing them in my dreams of fame, I noticed a pack of

teachers sizing me up. Finally, “You will not be speaking at Graduation,” my English

teacher spoke up. At that time, they weren't laughing, but I assumed they had

included me in a joke. Perhaps my new found fame earned me comradery with the

teachers, I thought. “Graduation is a requirement to be the speaker,” another chimed in

“and you will not be graduating.”

When school started, I registered for an English class and an AP English class.

The AP English class was an independent study, and I eventually forgot about it. I didn't

do any of the work, and I got an “F.” Because it was a higher level class, it replaced the

credit of my lower level class, so I would not have enough English credits, if I failed,

to graduate. My english teacher did fail me, and I lost it all: my ceremony, speech

and father. Even now, my father still won't have me, though, I don't blame him.