The best speeches are those that go down in history and are remembered by all, most prominent examples of course being Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech.
Though I’ll never go in history like those two life-changing men, I do have the opportunity to seize opportunities provided before me to attempt to entertain a crowd. And so, here are some tips I would give anyone addressing a group of people.
- Cater to your audience. What you would give one group of toddlers differs from the way you would address a group of adults. Being that my speech this year was directed towards a Vietnamese student and his parents, I made as many references as possible.
- Add some humor when appropriate. Not everyone can pull off telling jokes, but I try to in order to lighten the overall tone. Obviously this would be different depending on how serious the speech is, but being that the speech I gave was not life-changing in any way, it was appropriate to do so.
- Make it thematic. I try to make things as thematic as possible with symmetry in a speech. Last year I referenced difference historical figures with “Martin” in their name to honor the said recipient (whose name was also Martin). Thematically I used song lyrics to elicitate a point this year.
- Have fun. If you have fun while giving off a speech it’ll come off better.
I think I did a successful job of entertaining the crowd and entertaining the only Vietnamese student at our school during my speech.
That being said, here’s the speech if anyone wants to read:
One of the greatest triumphs one can ever have in life is facing the adversity that comes with being different. In a school dominated primarily with Korean Americans, Hispanic Americans, Filipino Americans, and African Americans – there is only one of his kind. Puberty and the social anxiety that intertwines with being in a middle school setting often sets students back from overachieving and going above and beyond what is necessary – that has not stopped this young boy – the only Vietnamese child in the school, and the true super-minority of Rise Kohyang.
I will now recite a poem in broken Vietnamese that best helps encapsulate the overall motivations of this student:
Công cha như núi Thái Sơn
Nghĩa mẹ như nước trong nguổn chảy ra
Môt lòng thờ mẹ kính cha
Cho tròn chữ hiểu mới là đạo conTranslated into english for all you simpletons out there, it means: Dad’s labor is as big as the Thai Son Mountain, Mom’s love is like water flowing from the source, With all my heart I respect and honor my parents to uphold the duty as a son. If I were to have a son, he would not only look like this student (because him and I share the same Vietnamese-Pho blood), but I would hope to create someone that has honored his parents so much in all his mannerisms this year, fulfilling obligations of filial piety.
It’s a shame not everybody in this room is Vietnamese. For that simple reason, I will refrain from alienating the majority in this room and instead opt to use phrases from the most popular English poems of all time to honor this said student. Here goes.
Just a city boy, born and raised in Vietnam, He took the midnight train going anywhere. Just one year ago today, this student came to the United States. Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night. In an unfamiliar setting, he came to Rise Kohyang not knowing any friends, not knowing any teachers, being exposed to nobody but strangers. And yet, the entire year, he was Working hard to get his fill; everybody wants a thrill. In the end, he didn’t stop believing in his dreams, and worked hard to get some of the highest grades all year, fully acclimating himself to the culture of Rise Kohyang Middle School.
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment. You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Seizing the opportunity presented upon him, this student not only was an effective student in the classroom, but seized opportunities like soccer outside of school to broaden his horizons. SImilar to his Vietnamese ancestors who fought hard against the Communist oppressors, he too has been fighting hard against enemies on the soccer field.
She say, “Do you love me?” I tell her, “Only partly” I only love my bed and my momma, I’m sorry. This student has nothing to apologize for, working hard for his bed, his mom, his parents, his school, and his community. Never have I encountered a student so calm in the face of craziness, like a heavily sedated lion surrounded by more wild animals in the zoo we call middle school. HIs mannerisms truly reflect the characteristics of someone that chooses to reciprocate and give back.
Rah, rah, ah, ah, ah, roma, roma, ma. Gaga, ooh, la, la… want your bad romance!. Though this may sound like another language, there is beauty in these lyrics, similar to the beauty in all the actions of this student. His ability to excel in his assignments, his ability to work well with others regardless of their nationality, race, creed, or place of origin – his ability to transcend the ordinary into the extraordinary makes him a force to be ultimately reckoned with.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror I’m asking him to change his ways And no message could have been any clearer If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself, and then make a change. When I look at this student, I see a mirror image of myself. Seeing as I was myself a shy introverted middle school student submissive and quite obedient, I see him following my footsteps. Unlike myself though, I do see an extraordinary ability for him to become an even better version of myself. I wish he himself was born in America, for he would have made an excellent first Vietnamese President.
And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead us there are blinding There are many things that I Would like to say to you but I don’t know how Because maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you’re my wonderwall. And you will continue to be the biggest wonderwall of our school as you continue to inspire others to be better people, or merely to be imitators living forever in your shadow.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Despite any mistakes you have made in the past, you will continue to excel like a bird, and fly away from childhood to adulthood as a marveling shimmer of light that will forever light up the dark universe we live in.
Journey. Eninem. Drake. Lady Gaga. Michael Jackson. Oasis. The Beatles. Despite all their contributions to the world we live in through these lyrics presented, I have no doubts that this year’s Estrellita will continue to fulfill the prophecies echoed in all their music. My family came to the United States looking for a new life, and despite losing the Vietnam War, the next generation of Vietnamese Americans will continue to win and succeed against any opposition if this student continues to be an inspiring role model for each and every single one of us. That is why I am proud to present this year’s Estrellita award to Minh Ha, the son I will never have.
I dedicate this speech all future speeches to the Teacher of the Year Sam Choi who inspires me everyday to continue to work harder and be better in every definition of the word.
