best words of gratitude for graduation speech

100+ Graduation Thank You Messages and Quotes

Graduating is indeed an enormous achievement, and if you have recently graduated or if you are soon to graduate, our heartiest congratulations to you! This is the perfect time to reflect on your journey towards this success, and show appreciation to the people who have accompanied you on it. Looking for some words of gratitude for graduation? Go through our heart-warming collection of thank you messages and speeches for graduation. You’ll surely find the perfect message to convey your gratitude!

Graduation Thank You Messages

• Thank You Message For Family & Friends

Graduation Thank You Messages To Parents

Graduation thank you messages to friends, graduation thank you messages to teacher, graduation thank you messages for gift, thank you speech for graduation.

My friends and family were my constant energy source on this journey. Thank you, guys. You are the best.

To everyone who helped along the way, big or small, your support made a huge difference. Thank you for being part of my success.

For all your efforts, love, and support, I cannot say enough thanks to you in a lifetime. Love you, mom and dad.

Thank you for all your efforts and words on my graduation. You are indeed a blessing from God.

Mom and Dad, you both are the priceless blessing in my life. I wouldn’t where today I am without your inspiration and support. Thank you for all your guidance!

To all my mentors and professors, your expertise and dedication have inspired me to aim high. I am grateful for the knowledge and skills you’ve shared with me..

Thank you for taking the time out and wishing my graduation. Your kind words are priceless. Love you.

Dear family and friends, you are my refuge amidst worries and difficulties. My graduation wouldn’t have been possible without your unwavering support!

Without your contribution, this could never be possible. Thank you, dear teacher.

Thanks for your generosity and special thanks for the graduation card. I appreciate you every day.

I appreciate all the support and inspiration you have given me on my academic journey. You’re a truly great friend!

My sincere gratitude goes to the ones who made my graduation possible! Your presence has always been comforting for me, and I am immensely grateful for all the love, kindness and appreciation you all showered me with! It feels great to have so much genuine support around me, so thanks to my dear family and friends!

I dedicate this honorable degree to the most significant persons in my life – my parents. Dear Mom and Dad, you two have been my mentor, my guide, my savior and my best friend whenever I was in need. Thank you for your immense care, appreciation and effort behind my academic activities. I am forever grateful to you!

Thanks to my friends for being there for me when I truly needed strong support. You made this degree happen for me.

Dear God, it is you who has allowed me to overcome all obstacles and hold onto my dreams and passion. I am utterly grateful for blessing me with this amazing triumph!

Dear friends, my graduation wouldn’t be completed without your presence. Thanks a lot for all the encouragement and help. You’re really special to me.

It is so adorable of you to share this joyous celebration of my graduation with me. Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift!

Warmest thanks to you for giving your precious time at my graduation party. You make it more meaningful for me.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, love, and kindness. Love you for your gestures. May God always bless you.

Your thoughtful words are like a cherry on top of this special day. You know how to shine out!

Thank you for contributing so much to my life. I appreciate all your warm wishes for my graduation ceremony.

Thank You Message for Family and Friends

I am fortunate to have you as my family and friends, and this degree is dedicated to you guys. Thank you.

You guys are my most precious possession and priceless blessing in my life. This is for you. Thank you for supporting and loving me.

Thanks for always being so kind and generous towards me. I appreciate all your doings at my graduation.

Thanks for putting so many thoughts on my graduation. It means so much. I am fortunate to have you.

Friends, you’re precious blessings of my life and I’m so lucky to have such great friends. Thank you for your concern and for being there always for me.

I am grateful to have a nurturing family and supportive friends who have constantly guided me towards betterment!

You guys have always been the pillar of my strength, and the loudest cheerleaders to my success! Thank you all!

I am immensely grateful to have such supportive family and friends. My graduation is the result of your prayers and blessings!

You people have uplifted my spirit every time I felt like giving up, and I couldn’t thank you more! Much love.

All that I am, is because of your care and support. Thank you, my dearest family and friends.

Thank you, my special person, for believing in my capabilities and encouraging me to dream big! My dear husband, you’re not just the love of my life, but also my greatest mentor. All my achievements owe much to you. Thank you for bringing out the best in me and making my graduation possible!

Words can never express how much your love means to me. Thanks for making my graduation memorable.

I was thrilled to have you at my graduation. Thank you for supporting me. Love you so much.

You were my most motivational inspiration my dear parents. Dedicating this degree to you. Thanks.

You are the place where I found peace of mind and zest and inspiration for life. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being there always to drive and support me!

I would not be here holding this degree if my parents were not there to motivate me constantly. Thank you, mom, and Dad. I love you to the moon and back.

I dedicate my graduation to the most important persons in my life, without whom I’m nothing. Thanks, Mom and Dad for encouraging and supporting me always.

Mom and Dad, you two take the credit for being patient with me all through my grad life! Thank you!

Whenever I felt restless, You two calm my nerve. Whenever I felt like giving up, you kept me pushing. And now, I am a graduate of this immense support. Thanks a lot, dear parents.

You are the most precious and important person in my life, and I am who I am because of you two. I love you, my parents. Thank you for everything.

Mom and Dad, you’re the inspiration behind my success. I just want to let you know how much you both mean to me. Love you and thanks for everything!

You’re my true friend, philosopher, guide, mentor, and the whole world. Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for all your efforts and love for me. You’re the best!

Dear Mom and Dad, I could not be holding this degree if not for the ceaseless motivation and reassurance from you! Thank you for being the anchors in my rocky world!

Dear parents, your confidence in me meant a lot whenever I hit a block. Thank you for cheering me on!

Also Read: Thank You Message For Parents

Words can barely describe how thankful I am for your support in my graduation journey. You made every impossible possible for me, my friend. Love you.

Thanks to all of my friends who were always stand by my side with their sincere supports. I’m grateful to have such helpful friends throughout my journey.

Whatever I’ve achieved today, it’s culminated with the help of my friends and mentors. Thanks to them for being understanding and helpful in this tough period.

My amigos, I can’t thank enough you guys for supporting, helping and being there whenever I need you through my academic career! Really you all are true pals.

You were always there for me in the dark days of my graduation journey. I cannot thank you enough for your love and support, yet I am saying; thanks, buddy !

My amigos literally made my graduation effortlessly easy for me with constant support and lots of fun. You are my pal of life, and thanks for everything.

You stood by my side when I was sailing aimlessly without a sail in a sea of depression. This degree is possible because of you lot. Thank you.

Having you by my side has made this journey so much easier, buddy. Thank you for all the support.

Thank you for standing by me on the way to my graduation. Please be by my side forever, mate.

Thank you for your immense support and encouragement throughout my grad life. You make it possible for me.

Sending you my sincere gratefulness to you. You’re the best teacher ever in my academic career. Thank you for guiding me to make my tomorrow brighter!

I am standing here holding this degree because you never let me give up when I badly wanted to. Thank you, dearest teacher.

Dear teacher, you were my guardian angel who gives me support in the most helpless time. I cannot be thankful enough to you for your kind gestures towards me. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your generous gift but thanks mostly for your precious guidance and support. This would not be possible without your constant presence in my dark time’s dear teacher.

Dear Sir/Madam, today’s achievement is the result of your contribution. Thanks for guiding and inspiring me. Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have been reached here.

Thank you, Teacher, for all that you did for me. You’ve bestowed me with motivational thoughts and real-life inspirations that’ll always help me to shine in ahead.

A great teacher is the precious gift of student life and I’m lucky to be blessed by that one. Thank you Sir/Madam for your unconditional love and affection!

I’m indebted to you for your sincere guidance and belief in me that I can make it. Thank you for being such a nice person and a wonderful teacher!

Dear teacher, it is your counsel, teaching and compassion that have enabled me to complete my graduation. Thank you for having faith in me!

Dear teacher, thank you for believing in my goals and leading me to them. I owe this achievement to you!

Thank you, teacher, for always guiding me with enthusiasm and for making my grad life easier! You made this day come true for me!

Also Read: 100+ Thank You Teacher Messages and Quotes

Graduation Thank You Messages To God

I am grateful to you for all the blessings but thankful for helping me with my graduation. You are indeed our savior. Thank you, God.

Thank you for helping me out and blessing me to experience such sheer joy and exciting life events.

I’m very happy to celebrate this wonderful day with my beloved ones. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity. Please keep on blessing me.

Dear God, thanks for your numerous blessings along with this graduation. Please continue to guide me throughout my life.

I appreciate your support and guidance throughout this hard time. Thanks for making everything easier for me. Dear God, I’m forever grateful to you.

Thank you for giving me the reward of my hard work, God. You indeed are the most merciful.

Dear God, I have always trusted your plans and you have rewarded me with better gifts than I could ever ask for. This graduation is only an example of the many blessings you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for all of it!

I feel honored to share my graduation day with all my loved ones present. Graduation has not been an easy ride, but it has been possible with the immense love, support and guidance from my parents, teachers and friends. Lastly, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty for blessing me with patience and determination.

Dear God, thank you for allowing me this huge achievement and joy. Dear family, thank you for being a source of inspiration and comfort to me in my hectic days. Dear teachers, thank you for encouraging me to do my best every day. Dear friends, thank you for constantly cheering me on. Thank you all for being by my side on my special day!

This graduation is not only mine, there are so many people whose efforts are behind it. Firstly, thanks to God for guiding me on the path of success. To my parents and family, for their immeasurable love and support. Gratitude to my friends, for boosting my confidence and never letting me feel alone. Last but not least, to my teachers, for mentoring me throughout this journey. I’m honored to have all of you!

As I celebrate this achievement of mine, I want to thank my parents, family, friends, teachers and every other person who has accompanied me on the way to my graduation. There was no way I could succeed without your guidance and support. Thanks to the Lord, for ensuring so many wonderful people in my life. I’m forever indebted to all of you!

Since my first day on earth, you two have been my support system and my biggest inspirations. Everything that I ever achieve, including my graduation, will be dedicated to you, mom and dad. Thank you for all the love you’ve shown me and all the sacrifices you’ve made. You truly are the best parents ever!

You have been there for me in all my tough moments, and I am feeling really blessed to share the joy of my graduation with you. You’ve shown me what true friendship is, and I will always remember everything you have done for me. May you be treated with the same love you have shown towards me, buddy.

This accomplishment goes to my dear husband, who constantly pushed me to excel, supported me to carry on my studies and assisted me with my daily responsibilities. Thank you for putting so much effort behind my dreams, I could not have reached this stage without your encouragement! Love you to the moon and back!

By the grace of the Almighty, I have been able to achieve this glorious degree after years of effort, patience and dedication. Thank you, God, for always guiding me to the virtuous paths and right ends, for giving me the strength to endure the challenges, and for supporting me whenever I struggled. It’s all thanks to the Almighty that I got one step closer to my goals!

Thank You Messages For Graduation Wishes

I appreciate your congratulations and encouragement on my graduation. From the bottom of my cap and gown, thank you!

Your heartfelt congratulations warmed my heart more than my graduation robe! Thank you for taking the time to celebrate this milestone with me.

I couldn’t possibly express how grateful I am to receive your beautiful wish. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me!

Those thoughtful wishes were the perfect graduation gift! I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement throughout my academic journey.

Thank you for your lovely graduation wish . Your words have filled my heart with happiness.

This degree wouldn’t be mine without your unwavering support! Thank you for believing in me even when I doubted myself.

Although your presence means a lot to me, let me know my sincere gratitude for your wonderful gift!

Words can barely describe the magic of achieving graduation. Thanks a lot for making the day more special by sending your thoughtful gift.

Your valuable thoughts always hold a significant place in my heart. And thank you for the beautiful gift on my graduation.

I am honored that you attended my graduation ceremony and really happy about the graduation gift. I will make sure to invest it well.

I would really like to thank you for not going over the line and keeping it so simple. I am truly thrilled with this token of love. Lots of love.

Thank you so much for your congratulatory message and this generous gift. I will use this well. Thanks once again for your kind gesture.

Thank you for your lavish gift. I can see that you’ve got a positive concern about me and must praise your choice for selecting that suits the occasion.

I am really grateful for your generous graduation present! Thank you for believing in my potential!

Graduation Party Thank You Messages

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for attending my graduation party; your presence means a lot to me. I hope you enjoyed it.

The road to graduation was a long story of early mornings and sleepless nights that I’ve made up successfully. Thank you for joining in my graduation party.

You’ve been always there to support me through my way to graduation and can’t thank enough for that. Sending you my deepest gratitude for joining my graduation event.

Thanks for comforting me day after day and for being a part of my celebration of graduation.

It is completely my pleasure to have a great person like you at my graduation party. Thank you for coming.

Thank you for lightening my graduation party with the gleam of your personality. It’s so nice of you to come.

Achieving graduation is the most precious dream to become real in a person’s life. This achievement holds immense importance. However, this journey is not undertaken alone. Along this academic path, you are accompanied by friends, family, teachers, and mentors, all of whom contribute equally to your success.

Graduation thank you messages serve as the perfect way to express appreciation to your loved ones, acknowledging their support and encouragement. With the help of the messages provided above, you can convey your emotions and gratitude to your close ones who have supported you throughout your graduation journey. Your success is their triumph, and your gratitude, their reward. Don’t forget, you can also share these heartfelt thank you messages on your social media profiles like Facebook or Instagram with a caption celebrating this momentous achievement!

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101+ Graduation Thank You Messages to Express Your Gratitude

The sweet scent of success lingers in the air as you don your graduation thank you messages cap and step onto the stage of accomplishment. It’s a moment of pride, a testament to your hard work and dedication. But amidst the celebrations and cheers, don’t forget the people who have been your pillars of support.

Expressing gratitude through thoughtful graduation thank you messages is not just a formality – it’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of the people who walked with you on this educational journey. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through crafting the perfect graduation thank you message, from finding the right words to capturing the essence of your appreciation.

How To Write Graduation Thank You Messages

Crafting a graduation thank you message that truly resonates requires a blend of sincerity and creativity. Follow these steps to create memorable expressions of gratitude:

• Reflect on Your Journey: Before you start writing, take a moment to reflect on your educational journey. Consider the individuals who supported, encouraged, and inspired you along the way.
• Personalize Each Message: Tailor your thank you messages to each recipient. Mention specific memories or contributions they made during your academic journey.
• Express Genuine Emotion: Be sincere in your gratitude. Use heartfelt words that convey your true feelings. Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability and emotion.
• Highlight Accomplishments: Mention your achievements and how the recipient played a role in your success. This adds a personal touch to your message.
• Be Concise: While sincerity is important, keep your message concise. Avoid overwhelming the recipient with a lengthy message.
• Use Warm Greetings: Address the recipient with a warm greeting. Use their name to make the message more personal.
• Add a Personal Touch: Consider including a personal anecdote, inside joke, or shared memory to make the message uniquely yours.
• Express Future Intentions: Let the recipient know about your future plans and how their support has influenced your path.

Best Graduation Thank You Messages

• “To my mentors and friends, your guidance was the compass that led me through this journey. Thank you for believing in me.”
• “With utmost gratitude, I extend my thanks for your unwavering support. My achievement is as much yours as it is mine.”
• “In the tapestry of my success story, your role is woven with threads of inspiration. Thank you for being a part of this beautiful journey.”
• “As I step into the future, I carry your wisdom and teachings with me. Thank you for shaping me into who I am today.”
• “To my family, your sacrifices have paved the way for my dreams. My success is a reflection of your love and dedication.”
• “To my professors, your lessons reached beyond the classroom, shaping not only my intellect but also my character. Thank you for being extraordinary.”
• “Friendship and knowledge were the greatest gifts you gave me. I’m thankful for both as I embark on new adventures.”
• “Through the highs and lows, your belief in me never wavered. Your faith fueled my determination, and I’m forever grateful.”
• “With humility, I acknowledge your role in molding my potential into achievement. Thank you for being a guiding light.”
• “To my mentors, your guidance was the wind beneath my wings. I soar higher because of your unwavering belief in me.”

Catchy Graduation Thank You Messages Sample

• “Hats off to you for being a mentor beyond measure! Thank you for making me believe in my capabilities.”
• “Diploma in hand, heart full of gratitude. Thanks for being a key player in my success story.”
• “My graduation cap comes off to you – a teacher, a guide, and an inspiration. Thank you for illuminating my path.”
• “From the halls of learning to the halls of gratitude – thank you for shaping my journey with wisdom and care.”
• “Walking the stage with pride, knowing your support walked with me. Thanks for being the wind in my sails.”
• “Here’s to lessons learned, dreams realized, and your unwavering belief. Cheers to you, my gratitude knows no bounds.”
• “Today, I don the robe of accomplishment, but your influence is the fabric that adorns it. Thank you for being a part of my story.”
• “With gratitude as vast as the horizon, I thank you for being the constancy in my ever-changing academic voyage.”
• “Amidst the celebration, my heart silently applauds you – the architects of my academic triumph. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
• “Bittersweet farewells are made sweeter by the memories you’ve etched in my heart. Thank you for being a cherished part of my journey.”

Short Graduation Thank You Messages Examples

• “Grateful beyond words. Thank you!”
• “Diploma earned, gratitude multiplied.”
• “Your belief, my achievement. Thank you!”
• “With heartfelt thanks, I journey forward.”
• “Lessons learned, gratitude earned.”
• “Tassel turned, gratitude felt.”
• “Caps off to you – thank you!”
• “Guidance appreciated, success achieved.”
• “A small word, a big thank you.”
• “Teacher, mentor, hero. Thank you!”

Graduation Thank You Messages for Friends and Family

• “To my family: Your love was my constant motivation. Thank you for standing by me.”
• “Friends who laughed, studied, and believed – thank you for being my rock.”
• “In the symphony of my journey, family and friends, you were the melody. Thank you for making it beautiful.”
• “To the ones who cheered the loudest, your support was my driving force. Thank you for being my biggest fans.”
• “Through thick and thin, family and friends, you were my strength. I’m blessed to have you.”
• “To my family, for your sacrifices, and my friends, for the endless memories – thank you for being my foundation.”
• “Friends who became family, your presence made this journey unforgettable. Thank you for the laughter and the lessons.”
• “To my family, your unwavering belief kept me going. To my friends, your camaraderie made the ride worthwhile.”
• “With family like mine and friends like you, success was inevitable. Thank you for being my pillars of strength.”
• “From late-night study sessions to celebratory moments, you were my constants. Thank you for your unwavering support.”

Graduation Thank You Messages for Money

• “Your generosity made my journey lighter. Thank you for investing in my education.”
• “With heartfelt appreciation, I thank you for your financial support. Your contribution was instrumental.”
• “To the angels who eased my financial burden – your kindness knows no bounds. Thank you!”
• “Diploma in hand, gratitude in my heart. Your financial assistance made all the difference.”
• “Your support spoke volumes, even in silence. Thank you for helping me achieve my dreams.”
• “To the ones who believed in my potential and backed it with financial support – thank you for being my guiding stars.”
• “With your assistance, my dreams were not just aspirations, but attainable goals. Thank you for making them a reality.”
• “Your generosity paved the way for my success. I’m deeply thankful for your financial support.”
• “As I step into the world armed with my education, your contribution remains an indelible part of my journey. Thank you.”
• “Your investment in my education was an investment in my future. Thank you for believing in me.”

Best Greetings Lines For Graduation Thank You Messages

• “Dear [Name], your support has been my guiding light.”
• “To the one who made a difference, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
• “Greetings of gratitude to you, [Name], for your unwavering belief.”
• “Hello, [Name], with heartfelt thanks for being my inspiration.”
• “Warmest greetings and endless thanks for your role in my success.”
• “Dearest [Name], your influence on my journey is immeasurable.”
• “Greetings of gratitude, [Name], for being my source of strength.”
• “Hello, [Name], as I step into the future, your impact stays with me.”
• “Warm wishes and heartfelt thanks for your part in my achievement, [Name].”
• “To [Name], with the sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support.”

Best Ending Lines For Graduation Thank You Messages

• “With gratitude that knows no bounds, [Your Name].”
• “Thank you once again for your unwavering support. Sincerely, [Your Name].”
• “As I move forward, I carry your kindness in my heart. Thank you, [Your Name].”
• “Your role in my journey is etched in my heart. With thanks, [Your Name].”
• “Gratefully yours, [Your Name].”
• “With heartfelt thanks and warm wishes, [Your Name].”
• “Thank you for being a part of my success story. Yours in gratitude, [Your Name].”
• “With appreciation and warm regards, [Your Name].”
• “Wishing you the best, and thanking you sincerely, [Your Name].”
• “Your support made all the difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, [Your Name].”

When & Where To Use Graduation Thank You Messages

• Graduation Ceremony: Express your gratitude to teachers, mentors, and family during your graduation ceremony.
• Thank You Cards: Handwritten notes are heartfelt tokens of appreciation. Send thank you cards to those who played a significant role.
• Social Media: Share a public thank you post to acknowledge everyone who supported you.
• Personal Messages: Reach out individually through text messages or emails to express your heartfelt thanks.
• Gift Acknowledgments: When receiving gifts, accompany your thank you note with a message of gratitude.

Graduation is not just a milestone; it’s a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and support you’ve received. Expressing gratitude through thoughtful messages is a way of honoring those who’ve been with you on this journey. Whether it’s family, friends, mentors, or financial supporters, each contribution has played a part in your success story. Crafting graduation thank you messages that reflect your appreciation, accomplishments, and future intentions will make your words resonate deeply. So, take a moment to acknowledge the impact of others on your journey, and let your gratitude shine through.

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How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

• The Speaker Lab
• March 7, 2024

Table of Contents

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking, managing stage fright, and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

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Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech, it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

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Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language. During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024

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Graduation Thank You Speech

Are you the top achiever in your class? Perhaps an influential figure? No matter what you are, one thing is for sure. The people gave you the platform to express your gratitude because you are outstanding and inspirational. That said, make them even prouder by composing your compelling graduation thank you speech.

10+ Graduation Thank You Speech Examples

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What Is a Graduation Thank You Speech?

It is a thank you speech you give during graduation. It is a type of public speaking that aims to communicate your appreciation of the people who helped you in your way to success. Students deliver this type of speech when they give a valedictorian speech during a graduation ceremony or even in an exclusive graduation celebration with friends and family. 

How to Compose a Rousing Graduation Thank You Speech

There are various types of speeches. Despite that, they all have one thing in common. They aim to influence and affect the emotions and the perspectives of your audience. In the process of essay writing for the draft of your graduation speech, ensure to consider the substantial elements. Doing this would help you determine the best way to talk effectively. 

1. Generate a Checklist of Essential People

Even the purpose of delivering this speech is to thank people you might want to limit the names on your checklist . You don’t want to go on and endlessly mention people you would like to thank. Instead of doing that, you can send thank you cards to the others. That said, you should only include the names of the people that are crucial to your accomplishment. You can mention a teacher, an inspiring friend, or your parents. 

2. Devise an Outline

This step is a basic procedure that speakers take before giving a public speech. In doing this, you should first look for a blank outline template that you think is the most comprehensive. After choosing one, start filling in the bullet points with items that you would like to address in your speech. 

3. Organize Your Ideas

Now that you know the things to discuss, the next step is to organize your ideas. Your speech should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Start your talk with an interesting statement that would hook your audience. In the body, you can also tell a story after mentioning the people you want to thank. For your conclusion, you should incorporate an inspiring graduation quote or ask them a question that would urge them to take action in their lives. 

4. Eliminate Trivial Parts

After finishing your speech writing , you should practice delivering your speech with a timer. If it ends up being too long, you should make appropriate adjustments. Opt to eliminate the unnecessary parts. In contrast, if it ends up being too short, you should brainstorm on what to add to your speech. 

What are the don’ts in giving a graduation speech?

One of the things you should avoid doing in delivering your speech is using cliche quotes and lines. Another one is to decide against using offensive jokes that can spoil everyone’s celebratory mood. In addition, do not talk about yourself in the entirety of your speech. Give credit to the people who helped you along the way.

How do you deliver a thank you speech effectively?

One factor that can determine the success of a thank you speech is the connection between the speaker and the audience. Before the event schedule, it is advisable to conduct audience analysis to determine the appropriate methods to implement in your public speech. To command the room, you should incorporate gestures and maintain eye contact with the audience.

What are the various methods of speech delivery?

The categories of speech delivery include the manuscript, memorized speech, impromptu speech , and extemporaneous speech. You can employ these various methods of speech delivery in different situations. For example, in a job interview, you are most likely going to use an impromptu speech. In addition, when giving a public talk, people mostly choose to deliver them extemporaneously.

Elementary, high school, and college graduations are all essential milestones that call for a celebration. Every student worked hard in answering tests and doing projects for that very day. They look forward to wearing their togas and accepting their diploma certificates . Raise their spirits and fuel the fire in their hearts by giving your engrossing graduation thank you speech. 

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How to Write a Graduation Thank You Speech

Last Updated: March 28, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 413,333 times.

Graduation is an important event, and often, people like to use the occasion to thank everyone that supported them through school or a program. However, writing a good graduation speech can be challenging. Keep reading to learn how to write a graduation thank you speech , whether you are speaking to a large audience or simply making a toast at dinner.

Things You Should Know

• Start with a 2-5 sentence introduction that engages your audience. Try using a rhetorical question, quote, or short anecdote.
• Thank your friends, family, and teachers in depth in the body of your speech. This should be about 2-3 paragraphs.
• Conclude your speech with 1-2 sentences that summarize everything you've said so far.

Brainstorming Your Ideas

• If you are talking to close friends or family, address the people you are thanking by name.
• Write down every person or group of people that comes to mind. You can edit this later on.

• Be honest about why you are thanking someone.
• The reasoning here can be very simple. For example, “My history teacher always made me laugh,” or “My mom woke me up every morning” are good reasons to thank someone.
• The more heartfelt the gratitude, the better. Take time to reflect on your feelings.

• Remember, there is no wrong way to brainstorm. Just keep writing.
• Continue to freewrite until you cannot think of anything else to say, and for at least 30 minutes.
• Now, you’ve brainstormed about your speech, so it is time to write it.

Writing the Thank You Speech

• “What are you thankful for?” This is beginning with a rhetorical question, since the audience will not answer.
• As Willie Nelson once said, "When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." This is beginning with a quote.
• “It was the first day of high school, and I stood outside the door of my first class, scared to go in. On the last day of high school, I left that same door feeling thankful.” This is beginning with an anecdote.

• For example, you can say, “I would like to thank my friends and family for always inspiring me when I felt hopeless.”
• Another example is, “I want to thank Professor Z for helping me choose a major.”
• The body of the speech comes immediately after the introduction.
• Avoid insulting or offending those you are speaking to. Do not vent about problems or criticize others during this speech.

• Another simple example is, “Once again, I am so lucky to have such great friends and family. Thank you.”
• You can end on thanking someone by saying, “The last person I want to thank is my grandma. She was always there for me. Good night.”
• An anecdote is a great way to end a speech, as well as a wonderful quote from the Romans, Victorians, or a world-famous leader. You could also end the speech with your own words of hope and well wishes.
• Keep the audience engaged by inviting them to do something physical. You might say "Can we all stand up?" or "I want you to shout 'I love this life!'"

Practicing the Speech

Sample Speeches

Expert Q&A

• Enjoy the occasion; it happens very infrequently. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• During the speech, remember to make eye contact and smile. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Practice the speech frequently to lessen your nerves. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Remember, while this is your special event and you would like to thank everyone, dragging on can embarrass the people you are talking about and bore the others. Stick to your time limit. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about giving a graduation speech, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Muñoz .

• ↑ https://www.alaskapacific.edu/graduation-speeches-show-dedication-appreciation-and-humor/
• ↑ https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/chapter/graduation-speeches/
• ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/graduation-speech-ideas
• ↑ https://medium.com/@tommygiglio/do-s-and-don-ts-of-writing-a-graduation-speech-259f1ba84c9b
• ↑ https://www.thesaurus.com/e/writing/how-to-write-a-graduation-speech/
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/tips-for-effective-delivery

About This Article

To write a graduation thank you speech that’s less than 5 minutes long, first write a 2-5 sentence introduction. Make your introduction interesting and engaging by using a short anecdote, meaningful quotation, or rhetorical question, like “What are you thankful for?” Then, write 1-2 paragraphs naming each person you want to thank and explaining why you’re thanking them. Finally, summarize everything you’ve said in a 1-2 sentence conclusion that refers in some way to your introductory story, quotation, or question. To learn how to brainstorm ideas for your graduation thank you speech, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Writing an Unforgettable Graduation Speech

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Graduation from school, college, or university is an occasion for a solemn event, farewell speeches of thanks from teachers to students, and vice versa. Graduates are preparing beautiful words to express gratitude to teachers and educational institutions. We have prepared to touch, sweet, solemn speeches. Choose which option is suitable to express respect and gratitude during graduation.

In order for the graduate’s speech (oath or promise) to sound perfect in front of the audience at the prom, you should prepare in advance, choose beautiful words and train in front of the mirror. But if graduates don’t have enough time to write a speech, they use  speech writing services . They offer the most beautiful, kind speeches, which you can use as samples. 

How to prepare a graduation speech: useful tips for graduates

Obviously, each graduate will not have time to speak, so we advise you to choose several speakers who are ready to speak on behalf of the whole class. How to choose a speaker? You should definitely do it not according to the grades, height, or timbre of the voice (although this matters). 

The main thing is that the speaker must be charismatic, open, artistic, and self-confident. Such a graduate will draw attention to themselves and their words much more than a shy, constantly blushing person.

The text is read by the one who can really handle it. It remains to choose such a person in the class, give them a speech and conduct several rehearsals to make sure that they speak without hesitation, with the correct intonations and pauses.

Pay attention to the  speaker’s diction . It is important that with intonations, they convey to the addressees the warmth of the moment because we are talking about an important event, the graduation speech, in which they will talk about the whole class, about what each student would like to say personally to teachers, parents, classmates.

Make sure that the speech has an introduction, a main part, and a conclusion. If you want to be sure that your speech will have a proper structure, get help. You can use a  college paper writing service . A writer will write you a speech with a good structure. 

“To this day, each of the students walked for many years, some with apprehension, some with impatience. Today we stand before you and take stock of the ups and downs. Joy in the hearts is adjacent to the sadness of farewell. Please accept my sincere gratitude for your patience, kindness, and sensitivity!”

“On behalf of the graduates, I thank you for your hard work, attention to each of us, and invaluable advice! I wish you health, success in hard work, and prosperity!”

“Classmates entrusted me with a speech of thanks, expressing our respect and love. Forgive us past pranks, do not hold a grudge, remember us as we are now – young, perky, beautiful, and smiling!”

“On behalf of all graduates, I thank you for your sensitivity, wisdom, and kindness. You have put in the heart of every student the desire for knowledge, as well as respect for elders and diligence. We won’t let you down!”

“Thanks to you, the school has become a second home for us. In addition to knowledge, we received life lessons, valuable recommendations, and practical advice. You taught us not only to solve school problems and make speeches but to transfer skills to real life.”

“On behalf of all graduates, I thank you for the knowledge, work, and part of your heart invested in us. We will keep the bright moments; we will capture the lessons learned into adulthood. We promise not to forget what we were taught!”

“Allow me to express what is in the heart of each of the graduates. Thank you for the wise words that made worthy people out of us. People who are ready to immediately go out into life after graduation. Our eyes and hearts are open to new challenges, and knowledge and speech are enough to face them boldly and emerge victorious!”

“On behalf of all the students, I congratulate you on the graduation of such worthy people! Forgive them that sometimes they were mistaken, capricious, and did not listen to wise speeches. We will remember your lessons of kindness and forgiveness, and in the future, we will only delight you with achievements!”

“At the graduation party, I cannot but express to you our endless gratitude for your work, patience, and diligence. Strict but fair, you led us through the most difficult years; put not only knowledge into inexperienced heads but also a part of the soul in everyone’s heart!”

“Each of the students on this day would like to give you a speech of appreciation. We thank you not only for the knowledge gained but for your human treatment, kindness, and patience. We thank you for your responsiveness and sleepless nights – low bow!”

“I want to thank the teachers on behalf of all the students for accepting us as we are; they tried their best to devote time to everyone, to set us on the right path with their speech. We will keep warm memories of wonderful years!”

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Speech Writing

Graduation Speech

Last updated on: Dec 31, 2023

Writing a Great Graduation Speech: Outline, Tips & Ideas

By: Donna C.

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 3, 2023

Graduation speeches are a memorable part of the graduation experience. They are a chance for the graduates to share their thoughts about their time in college.

So, are you getting ready to give a graduation speech but feel like you're in over your head? Don't worry - with a little bit of preparation, you can deliver a speech that will leave your audience feeling inspired and proud.

In this blog post, we'll outline some easy steps that will help you write a successful graduation speech. So get started today and soon you'll be on your way to giving an awesome speech!

If you're giving a graduation speech, here are some tips to help you make it a success.

On this Page

What is a Graduation Speech?

The graduation speech is an opportunity to say a few words of thanks to those who have helped you in your college life. This speech is also called commencement speech. If you get to give a commencement speech at graduation, use the opportunity to leave an impression on your audience.

When you are about to give a speech, make sure that you are prepared and know what you want to say.

It would be best if your speech is not too long, but long enough to cover all the important points and ideas.

Graduation is a time to celebrate your success in college, and cherish all the moments you’ve spent there.

As you prepare to speak, think about sharing your ideas with the audience. And remember that a good speech is a mixture of humor and seriousness.

Here are the main things a graduation speech should cover:

• Short memorable events
• What you have accomplished
• A bit of reflection about the past
• And hopes for the future

The best graduation speeches combine all of these things for a lasting and memorable effect.

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Graduation Speech Outline and Structure

To create your graduation speech outline, you can follow these steps:

• Express Your Gratitude - We should always be grateful for the opportunities we have and express this gratitude to those who have provided us. We should thank our teachers and principals for their hard work towards making our college a better place. 2. Introduce Yourself - Introduce yourself to the audience and tell them a little bit about yourself. This includes your full name as well as the class you were enrolled in. 3. Initiate Your Speech with a Quote - To get the interest of your listeners, initiate your speech with an arresting quote or saying. This will help the audience to relax and enjoy your speech. 4. Give Some Good Advice - Give some advice to the new student at the end of your talk. You might say something about what you have learned from being in college, or about how to stay motivated. 5. Mention Good Times - Remember to mention the good times you had during your college years. You are sure to communicate a better impression of yourself by focusing on the positive. 6. Reiterate the Quote - Reiterate the quote with which you began your speech and come back to it. Describe how it relates to your speech and ideas. 7. Include a Call to Action - End your speech with a general invitation to hold open forum discussion sessions. This will help the students stay engaged and interested. 8. Thank Your Audience - When your speech is finished, thank your audience. By following this outline you will help to create a better structure for your speech.

How to Write a Graduation Speech - 8 Tips

Here are eight tips for delivering a well-written and memorable graduation speech:

1. Start By Thanking Who Helped You - Start by thanking your parents, teacher, friend, or anyone who helped you. When thanking someone, focus on their role in your development and show appreciation. For example,you might say: “I’m grateful to my parents for always making me feel safe.” “Without my teacher who taught me persistence and determination, I wouldn’t have made it through college.”

2. Avoid Excessively Talking About Yourself - It is natural to feel excited to talk about your experiences, but don’t forget to mention your peers. They have been with you through thick and thin and deserve recognition as well. 3. Look for Other Famous Speeches - If you want to know what other people have said, Google some famous speeches. You can also visit the library and check out the speeches of previous graduates. 4. Keep it Brief and Useful - Make your speech brief and useful. Your audience has a limited time, so try to say more in less words. 5. Carefully Choose Your Words - Think before you speak! Avoid gossiping, insulting your classmates or teachers, and saying anything that might get you into trouble. Be thoughtful in what you mention, and consider how your words will affect other people. 6. Share Your Inspirations & Goals - Try to inspire your audience by sharing your aspirations and goals. This will help them develop a vision for their own futures. 7. Use Quotes Wisely - A quote can be a good ice-breaker or an effective way to illustrate a point. But use them wisely and only those that are 100 percent relevant to your topic. 8. Conclude With Important Note - Conclude with something intriguing or inspirational. Acknowledge the audience's presence and offer some final thoughts to carry away. Also, be sure that you are leaving behind some positive value for your listeners. Take a look at this sample of graduation speech:

Creative Graduation Speech Themes for 2024

Here are some helpful graduation speech themes for your speech.

• Tell how you dealt with the change Think of how you progressed from freshman to senior year. How did you deal with problems, disappointments or setbacks?
• Show how positivity transformed you Talk about how positive thinking has transformed your life. Also, mention what things in your childhood sowed the seeds of optimism in you.
• Talk about major failures you've encountered Share some of your major failures and how you overcame them. Nothing is more inspiring than learning from other’s mistakes. Listening to how someone overcame their fears and learned from their mistakes can be very motivating.
• Discuss how you believed in yourself Discuss how you were a late bloomer and how you finally came to believe in your abilities. Also, explain how much you have changed since you began to believe in yourself.
• Mention what or who motivated you to dream big You can also talk about what motivated you to dream big. It can be your teacher, a book you read, a movie you watched or a turning point in your life.

Writing a graduation speech is an important part of the graduation ceremony. By following the steps given here, you will be able to create great work in no time.

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167 Graduation Quotes That’ll Remind You to Follow Your Dreams

By Kristi Kellogg and Marilyn La Jeunesse

Finding the right graduation quote can be a tedious process. After four years of hard work, you want to commemorate this special moment with the right words. Something that defines who you are and sets the tone for the future. The truth of the matter is, it takes lots of blood, sweat, tears, and ramen to make it to graduation .

But, the day has finally come for you to don your hard-earned graduation robes, decorate your cap, and rewatch your favorite graduation movies to get excited for the big day. Bear your tassel proudly, and find the right motto for graduation captions on Instagram, of course. Hey, you didn’t work this hard in school just to post a captionless photo, right?

From inspirational quotes from Taylor Swift to funny graduation quotes from Timotheé Chalamet , we rounded up the best graduation quotes, best senior quotes, and graduation messages from celebrities, athletes, politicians, writers, cartoon characters and more. These thoughtful bits of advice are perfect to include in graduation cards (that go far beyond your “congratulations graduate” message), a commencement speech , or even to use for senior quotes in your yearbook. The choice is yours! Read on to discover 167 best graduation quotes.

In this article:

High school graduation quotes

Funny graduation quotes, college graduation quotes, inspirational graduation quotes, proud graduation quotes, short graduation quotes, graduation quotes for instagram, senior quotes.

• "Your life is your adventure. And the adventure ahead of you is a journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential." —Kerry Washington
• “If you can do what you do best and be happy, you are further along in life than most people.” —Leonardo DiCaprio
• "Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world." —Nelson Mandela
• "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." —Nora Ephron
• "You are about to start the greatest improvisation of all. With no script. No idea what's going to happen, often with people and places you have never seen before. And you are not in control. So say 'yes.' And if you're lucky, you'll find people who will say 'yes' back." —Stephen Colbert
• "You must have some vision for your life. Even if you don't know the plan, you have to have a direction in which you choose to go." —Oprah
• "You don’t go to university so you can punch a clock. You go to university so you can be in a position to make a difference." —Janet Napolitano
• "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." —Malcolm X
• "I've learned it's important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is." —Ryan Gosling
• "Fight for what makes you optimistic about the world. Find it, insist on it, dig into it, go after it." —Jennifer Garner
• "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." —Martin Luther King Jr.
• "You cannot dream of becoming something you do not know about. You have to learn to dream big. Education exposes you to what the world has to offer, to the possibilities open to you." —Sonia Sotomayor
• "If I must give any of you advice it would be say yes. Say yes, and create your own destiny." —Maya Rudolph
• "Your inexperience is an asset in that it will make you think in original, unconventional ways. Accept your lack of knowledge and use it as your asset." —Natalie Portman
• "Take your risks now. As you grow older, you become more fearful and less flexible … Try to keep your mind open to possibilities and your mouth closed on matters that you don't know about. Limit your 'always' and your 'nevers.' Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken." —Amy Poehler
• "You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." —Steve Jobs
• "Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here." —Neil Gaiman
• "When you respect the idea that you are sharing the Earth with other humans, and when you lead with your nice foot forward, you’ll win, every time. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but it comes back to you when you need it." —Kristen Bell
• "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you, you will never, ever have enough." —Oprah
• "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." —Muhammad Ali
• "Go make your big beautiful dent, and as you do so come down on the side of boldness. If you err, may it be for too much audacity, and not too little. For you really are enough. You have untold strengths and resources inside. You have your glorious self." —Sue Monk Kidd
• "It is often easier to make progress on mega-ambitious dreams. I know that sounds completely nuts. But, since no one else is crazy enough to do it, you have little competition." —Larry Page
• "Some life lessons don’t ever change. They need to be highlighted and they need to be remembered throughout our entire lives. But how you embrace them will distinguish you from the pack." —Brooke Shields
• "You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell." — Kerry Washington
• "Be the hardest working person you know. Because if you’re not, someone else will be." —Ian Brennan
• "In response to those who say to stop dreaming and face reality, I say keep dreaming and make reality." —Kristian Kan
• "It’s your turn to choose and define what success means to you. Now, others will try to define it for you, but yours is the only voice that matters." — Octavia Spencer
• Nobody else is paying as much attention to your failures as you are . . . to everyone else, it’s just a blip on the radar screen, so just move on. —Jerry Zucker
• "I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change. And that's okay." —Conan O'Brien
• "Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are. And then figure out what is the next right move. And the key to life is to develop an internal moral, emotional G.P.S. that can tell you which way to go." —Oprah
• "If we’d all stuck with our first dream, the world would be overrun with cowboys and princesses. So whatever your dream is right now, if you don’t achieve it you haven’t failed and you’re not some loser." —Stephen Colbert
• "Don’t be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be your best possible self."—Ed Helms
• “Success is not about wealth or fame, but about inner happiness and fulfillment.” —Margot Robbie
• “There are multiple sides to all of us. Who we are — and who we might be if we follow our dreams. —Miley Cyrus
• “God will never give you anything you can’t handle, so don’t stress.” —Kelly Clarkson
• "We're only here for so long. Be happy, man. You could get hit by a truck tomorrow." —​Timothée Chalamet​
• “Don’t allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on sunglasses.” —Lady Gaga
• "Get busy living or get busy dying." —Stephen King
• "You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets." —Arnold Schwarzenegger
• "If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?" —Joe Namath
• "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." —Wayne Gretzky
• "You will stumble and fall, you will experience both disaster and triumph, sometimes in the same day. But it's really important to remember that like a hangover, neither triumphs nor disasters last forever." —Helen Mirren
• "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." —Thomas Edison
• "You have to dance a little bit before you step out into the world each day, because it changes the way you walk." —Sandra Bullock
• "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." —Will Rogers
• "The road to success is always under construction." —Lily Tomlin
• "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." —Robin Williams
• "Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor." —Jackson Browne
• “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” —Elbert Hubbard
• “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” —Dolly Parton
• “Sometimes it takes a good fall to know where you stand.” —Hayley Williams
• “Success is nothing if you don’t have the right people to share it with; you’re just going to end up lonely.” —Selena Gomez
• "The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." —Joy J. Golliver
• "That clock you hear is the sound of your own heart. Sink your teeth into this life, and don’t get let go." —Lin-Manuel Miranda
• "No job or task is too small or beneath you. If you want to get ahead, volunteer to do the things no one else wants to do, and do it better." —Bobbi Brown
• "You can’t do it alone. Be open to collaboration. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life." — Amy Poehler
• "When we show up, act boldly, and practice the best ways to be wrong, we fail forward. No matter where we end up, we’ve grown from where we began." —Stacey Abrams
• "I celebrate you as you remember the power of grace and pride, and I challenge you to choose freedom over fear." —Janelle Monáe
• "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." —John Dewey
• "You could travel with the sheep, follow everybody else’s stuff, but then you’re not you. I guess if I want to say anything it’s ‘Be you.’ Be true to you, and that should make the ride a little more interesting." — Whoopi Goldberg
• "There will be times when your best isn’t good enough. There can be many reasons for this, but as long as you give your best you’ll be OK." —Robert De Niro
• "We may live in an age of instant messaging, instant gratification and Instagram, but there is no way to short circuit the path to success." —Tory Burch
• "Now the first suggestion is to aim high, but be aware that even before you have reached your ultimate professional destination, if you always strive for excellence, you can and should have a substantial impact on the world in which you live." —Sandra Day O’Connor
• "As you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in. Minister to the world in a way that can change it. Minister radically in a real, active, practical, get your hands dirty way." —Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." —Henry David Thoreau
• "The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change." —Maya Angelou
• "There is nothing more beautiful than finding your course as you believe you bob aimlessly in the current. Wouldn’t you know that your path was there all along, waiting for you to knock, waiting for you to become. This path does not belong to your parents, your teachers, your leaders, or your lovers. Your path is your character defining itself more and more everyday like a photograph coming into focus." —Jodie Foster
• "Real leadership comes from the quiet nudging of an inner voice. It comes from realizing that the time has come to move beyond waiting to doing." —Madeleine Albright
• "Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard work that creates change." —Shonda Rhimes
• "Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table." —Barack Obama
• “Life can be heavy if you carry it all at once. Know what to keep and what to release. Decide what is yours to hold, and let all the other things go." —Taylor Swift
• “A lot of people give up just before they’re about to make it. You know you never know when that next obstacle is going to be the last one.” —Chuck Norris
• “It’s the choice. You have to wake up every day and say, ‘There’s no reason today can’t be the best day of my life’.” —Blake Lively
• “We are all deserving and we don’t need permission or an invitation to exist and to step into our power.” —Ilhan Omar
• “Your self worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” —Beyoncé
• "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." —Taylor Swift
• "There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer." —Rihanna
• "Understand that one day you will have the power to make a difference, so use it well." —Mindy Kaling
• "I'm continually trying to make choices that put me out of my own comfort zone. As long as you're uncomfortable it means you're growing." —Ashton Kutcher
• "It's amazing what you can get if you quietly, clearly and authoritatively demand it." —Meryl Streep
• "It's the choice. You have to wake up every day and say 'There's no reason today can't be the best day of my life.'" —Blake Lively
• "I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." —Michael Jordan
• "There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do." —Derek Jeter
• "My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges, and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them." —Ruth Westheimer
• "There is no passion to be found in playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." —Nelson Mandela
• "When someone who loves you hugs you, hug them back with two arms—don’t do the one-arm hug, because when you hug someone with two arms, it allows you to lean on somebody, and we all need someone to lean on." — Sandra Bullock
• "Frustration, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success. —Bo Bennett
• "You can never be the best. The only thing you can be the best at is developing yourself." — Natalie Portman
• "Real courage is holding on to a still voice in your head that says, ‘I must keep going.’ It’s that voice that says nothing is a failure if it is not final. That voice that says to you, ‘Get out of bed. Keep going. I will not quit.'" —Cory Booker
• "Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed a young mind, or sent men into space. Cynicism is a choice. Hope is a better choice." —Barack Obama
• "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." —Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "When people tell you not to believe in your dreams, and they say 'Why?' say 'Why not?'" —Billie Jean King
• "I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve." —Maya Angelou
• "There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction." — Oprah Winfrey
• "I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." —Thomas Jefferson
• “Sometimes the problem feels so big that changing one life doesn’t feel like enough. But it is.” —America Ferrera
• “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Know when to laugh at yourself, and find a way to laugh at obstacles that inevitably present themselves.” —Halle Bailey
• “Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.” —Gerard Way
• “Every day is a new opportunity to change your life and be who you want to be.” —Demi Lovato
• "Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered." —Michelle Obama
• "Remember this: You are awesome. I’m not suggesting you be boastful. No one likes that in men or women. But I am suggesting that believing in yourself is the first necessary step to coming even close to achieving your potential." —Sheryl Sandberg
• “Don’t ever doubt yourselves or waste a second of your life. It’s too short and you’re too special.” —Ariana Grande
• "Ignore the naysayers. Really the only option is: head down and focus on the job." —Chris Pine
• "Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own." —Michelle Obama
• "The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be alone with the sky, nature, and God. For only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity." —Anne Frank
• "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." —E. E. Cummings
• "I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself." —Emma Stone
• "You don’t have to be famous. You just have to make your mother and father proud of you, and you already have." —Meryl Streep
• "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." —Mother Teresa
• “So often in life things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune.” —Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” —Eeyore
• “What do you have to do? What do you want to do? Tomorrow is not promised. Make plans anyway.” —Lin Manuel Miranda
• “There are no regrets in life. Just lessons.” —Jennifer Aniston
• “For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
• "Change takes courage." —Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
• "You're never a loser until you quit trying." —Mike Ditka
• "Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions." —Albert Einstein
• “Work so hard that you never have to introduce yourself.” —Gigi Hadid
• "It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up." —Babe Ruth
• "There are no regrets in life — just lessons." —Jennifer Aniston
• "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." —Steven Jobs
• "A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman." —Melinda Gates
• "You get in life what you have the courage to ask for." —Oprah Winfrey
• "To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift." —Steve Prefontaine
• "Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity." —Will Smith
• "Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement." —Matt Bondi
• "If you can’t outplay them, outwork them." —Ben Hogan
• "This above all: To thine own self be true." —William Shakespeare
• "Do. Or do not. There is no try." —Yoda
• "Be bold, be courageous, be your best." –Gabrielle Giffords
• "It is absolutely still possible to make a difference." —Michelle Obama
• “You’re not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack.” —Bill Gates
• “Be persistent and never give up hope.” —George Lucas
• “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” —Gloria Steinem
• "It is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." —George Burns
• “There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like you.” —Ariana Grande
• "All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." —Walt Disney
• “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.” —Drake
• "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." —Eleanor Roosevelt
• "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." —Sun Tzu
• "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." —Arthur Ashe
• "She turned her can’ts into cans and her dreams into plans." —Kobi Yamada
• "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." —C.S. Lewis
• "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." —Oscar Wilde
• "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible.'" —Audrey Hepburn
• "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." —Jack Dempsey
• “Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.” —Lady Gaga
• “Be kind to yourself a little more every day.” —Dua Lipa
• “You will screw it up sometimes.” —Taylor Swift
• “And here you are living despite it all.” —Rupi Kaur
• “If you don’t have any shadows you’re not in the light.” —Lady Gaga
• “Keep your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.” —Rihanna
• “For every winner, there doesn't have to be a loser. In fact, most success stories are less about competition and more about collaboration.” —Michelle Yeoh
• “Time is the most valuable resource on the planet.” —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• “Please don’t be afraid, don’t worry yourself. The end and beginning, beginning and end are connected.” —BTS’s Suga
• “Trust your gut, keep throwing darts at the dartboard. Don’t listen to the critics – and you will figure it out.” —Will Ferrell
• “Building your community is how you change the world.” —LeBron James
• “Never let anyone put you in a box or tell you what you can do. Make sure you paint your own picture and go your own path, and continue to think outside the box.” —Magic Johnson
• “If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.” —Beyoncé
• “Embrace your uniqueness for it is what makes you truly beautiful.” —Dove Cameron
• “I’ve always done whatever I want and been exactly who I am.” —Billie Eilish
• “Don’t try so hard to fit in, and certainly don’t try so hard to be different, just try hard to be you.” —Zendaya
• “If you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise.” —Rupi Kaur
• “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” —Serena Williams
• “You can be everything. You can be the infinite amount of things that people are.” —Kesha
• “Do one thing every day that scares you.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
• “Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.” —Marilyn Monroe

Want more from   Teen Vogue ? Check this out: Taylor Swift’s Grad Speech: “You Will Screw It Up”

By Kristi Kellogg and Noor Brara

By Lisa Stardust

By Liv McConnell

DepEd Teacher's Hub

Teachers online resource, guide: how to make graduation gratitude speech with samples.

March 14, 2018 Deped Teachers Club Deped , Education , Teachers 0

How to Write a Graduation Gratitude Speech

Graduation is an important event, and often, people like to use the occasion to thank everyone that supported them through school or a program. However, writing a good graduation speech can be challenging. Keep reading to learn how to write a graduation thank you speech, whether you are speaking to a large audience or simply making a toast at dinner.

Make a list of everyone you want to thank . This is a great first step to take so you don’t forget someone important. If you will be talking to a large audience, feel free to be vague about who you are addressing. For example, say “I want to thank all my teachers” rather than listing their names, and say “I want to thank my friends” rather than naming everyone. This is quicker and less likely to make some feel left out.

• If you are talking to close friends or family, address the people you are thanking by name.
• Write down every person or group of people that comes to mind. You can edit this later on.

Write down why you want to thank those people. Unless you have a very short amount of time to speak, you should expand your speech to include why you are thankful towards these individuals. Write down words or phrases about why you are thankful towards these friends, family members, coaches, professors, and so on.

• Be honest about why you are thanking someone.
• The reasoning here can be very simple. For example, “My history teacher always made me laugh,” or “My mom woke me up every morning” are good reasons to thank someone.
• The more heartfelt the gratitude, the better. Take time to reflect on your feelings.

Write down any other thoughts you have about this topic. Freewrite about the topic of graduation and being thankful. Jot down any thought that relates to being thankful and graduating from your school or program. You may find some interesting ideas or things you want to say that didn’t come up before.

• Remember, there is no wrong way to brainstorm. Just keep writing.
• Continue to freewrite until you cannot think of anything else to say, and for at least 30 minutes.
• Now, you’ve brainstormed about your speech, so it is time to write it.

Writing the Gratitude Speech

Write the introduction of the speech. The introduction of the speech should be interesting and engage the audience. Some strategies you can use are: beginning with a rhetorical question, a quote, or a short anecdote. Any strategy is fine as long as it relates to being thankful and graduating. Try to keep this to 2-5 sentences (or 2 paragraphs for a speech longer than 5 minutes). A few examples are:

• “What are you thankful for?” This is beginning with a rhetorical question, since the audience will not answer.
• As Willie Nelson once said, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” This is beginning with a quote.
• “It was the first day of high school, and I stood outside the door of my first class, scared to go in. On the last day of high school, I left that same door feeling thankful.” This is beginning with an anecdote.

Write the body of the speech. This is where you get to thank your friends, family, teachers, and so on in depth. Look at your brainstorming notes, and write 1-2 paragraphs where you say who you want to thank and why in complete sentences. (2-3 for a speech longer than 5 minutes). Don’t spend more than 2-3 sentences talking about a single person unless you really want to emphasize being thankful towards them.

• For example, you can say, “I would like to thank my friends and family for always inspiring me when I felt hopeless.”
• Another example is, “I want to thank Professor Z for helping me choose a major.”
• The body of the speech comes immediately after the introduction.
• Avoid insulting or offending those you are speaking to. Do not vent about problems or criticize others during this speech.

Write the conclusion of the speech. Write 1-2 sentences (1 paragraph for a speech that is longer than 5 minutes) that summarize everything you just said. Make sure to refer back to your theme and tie everything together in these 1-2 sentences. The conclusion comes after the body of the speech, and it can be very simple. For example, you can just say “Thank you again.”

• Another simple example is, “Once again, I am so lucky to have such great friends and family. Thank you.”
• You can end on thanking someone by saying, “The last person I want to thank is my grandma. She was always there for me. Good night.”

Edit the speech before practicing aloud. Remove grammar errors, parts of the speech that seem too long, or anything you are unsure about including. If you have time, ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read over the speech and give you feedback. When you are satisfied with what you have written, you can being to practice delivering the speech.

Practicing the Speech

Print out or write a copy of your speech. You can keep this with you as you speak, but remember to look up from your notes occasionally. Print or write the speech in large print so you can clearly see the words. You may need to print out or write a clean copy of the speech after you edit it more.

Read the speech aloud as you time yourself. Begin a timer when you begin reading, and see how long it takes you to read the entire speech. You may have an assigned time limit, such as 3-5 minutes; if you are giving a speech informally, decide on a time limit. Stop the timer when you are done reading.

Edit your speech according to how long you want to speak. Begin to remove parts of the speech, shorten sentences, and make more concise statements if your speech is too long. Once you edit out a sentence or idea, read the speech again to see if it is short enough. Continue this until you can read the speech well within the time limit.

Practice the speech often. Read the speech aloud a few times per day until you deliver it. Continue to time yourself so you do not speak for an excessive amount of time. As you familiarize yourself with your speech, your delivery will speed up.

Practice confident body language as you speak. This includes smiling often, making eye contact, and not fidgeting. Breathe as you talk, and avoid saying “Um” or “Uh” too often. Practicing in front of a mirror, a video recorder, or a friend is a good way to see if you have nervous body language.

Deliver your thank you graduation speech. Remember to breathe, make eye contact, and smile as you are talking. Reference your notes if you get stuck, and have fun thanking those people important to you.

Credit Source

Here are some Graduation Gratitude Speeches you may Download as your Reference:

• Graduation Speech Elem & High School Sample Only.docx – DOWNLOAD
• Graduation Speech High School Sample Only.docx – DOWNLOAD
• How to Write a Graduation Thank You Speech.docx – DOWNLOAD
• SPEECH OF GRATITUDE.docx – DOWNLOAD
• A-debt-of-gratitude.pdf – DOWNLOAD
• How-we-will-measure-these-years.pdf – DOWNLOAD
• The-future-is-in-our-hands.pdf – DOWNLOAD

Credit to the Owners of the Speeches

• Department of Education
• Graduation Script
• Gratitude Speech

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Home › Inspirational Graduation Speeches

Inspirational Graduation Speeches

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Do you have a graduating son or daughter? A high school or college graduation is a major milestone in life that should not be ignored. The graduation ceremony celebrates hard work and encourages students to move into the world to achieve great things. This hopeful message is further cemented through an inspirational graduation speech.

As you celebrate graduation day and wish your student good luck, consider the following commencement advice you can share as well as inspirational quotes for a happy graduation.

Here are the best graduation speeches and inspirational message graduation quotes to inspire you and change your life.

Page Contents

1. Barack Obama – Howard University, 2016

You have to go through life with more than just passion for change; you need a strategy. I’ll repeat that. I want you to have passion, but you have to have a strategy. Not just awareness but action. Not just hashtags, but votes. Barack Obama

During his graduation message, Barack Obama spoke with hope. He urged the graduating students to be hardworking yet pragmatic as they sought justice, equality, and freedom. Howard University is one of the nation’s most distinguished and historically Black universities.

In 2020, Barack Obama also shared a graduation message to the Class of 2020 as part of Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 . These students had to learn to overcome obstacles and challenges that classes before them had not had to deal with due to the pandemic.

The disappointments of missing a live graduation, those will pass pretty quick…What remains true is that your graduation marks your passage into adulthood—the time when you begin to take charge of your own life. It’s when you get to decide what’s important to you: the kind of career you want to pursue. Who you want to build a family with. The values you want to live by. And given the current state of the world, that may be kind of scary. Barack Obama

Obama goes on to offer hope and support as graduating students set out to navigate a very new landscape and shape a new world.

2. David Foster Wallace – Kenyon Graduation Speech, 2005

There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually, one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water? David Foster Wallace

In this commencement address, Wallace reminds us that we often forget, or take for granted, the most obvious things around us. He acknowledges it’s difficult to stay aware of what’s happening in the world, especially when you’re too busy dealing with the monologue inside your head.

That’s what a college education is about, according to him. It’s learning how to think and exercising some degree of control over your thoughts so you can choose what to pay attention to.

Our thoughts affect our realities, and the ability to choose how you “construct meaning from experience” will determine the lenses from which you see the world and how you react in return.

3. Natalie Portman – Harvard Graduation Speech 2015

Sometimes your insecurities and your inexperience may lead you, too, to embrace other people’s expectations, standards, or values. But you can harness that inexperience to carve out your own path, one that is free of the burden of knowing how things are supposed to be, a path that is defined by its own particular set of reasons . Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman majored in psychology at Harvard University because she believed it would help her acting. She graduated in 2003. In her commencement speech at the 2015 graduation ceremony, she spoke of her own self-doubt and gave an inspiring, funny , and wisdom-filled speech for the graduating class.

Portman said even though she was a successful student and went on to find success as an actress, she still struggled with her own worth but eventually learned to set her own goals.

4. Ellen DeGeneres – Tulane University, 2009

Never follow anyone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path and by all means you should follow that. Don’t give advice, it will come back and bite you in the ass. Don’t take anyone’s advice. So my advice to you is to be true to yourself and everything will be fine. Ellen Degeneres

This is one of the funniest graduation speeches ever! All humor aside, this speech shows why  it’s better to be true to yourself instead of trying desperately to be a second-rate version of someone else.

For years, Ellen thought being bisexual might prevent her from being a successful stand-up comedian, but it’s just not the case. Ellen proved that you could be successful, whoever you are, if you worked hard and learned from your past experiences— even one as sad as the death of a loved one.

5. Charlie Munger – University of California Law School, 2007

*Skip to 4:08 for the actual speech

You’re not going to get very far in life based on what you already know. You’re going to advance in life by what you’re going to learn after you leave here. Charlie Munger

Education doesn’t stop after you graduate from college. It doesn’t stop after you finish your MBA or PhD either. Munger says, “Wisdom acquisition is a moral duty. It’s not just something you do to advance in life.”

It’s a moral duty because it’s only through continuous learning that we can add to the vast knowledge of man kind. If we stopped learning, progress in all industries—computers, finance, engineering, biology, stops as well.

6. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University, 2013

If you’re a Democrat, spend some time talking to a Republican. And if you’re a Republican, have a chat with a Democrat. Maybe you’ll find some common ground, maybe you won’t. But if you honestly engage with an open mind and an open heart, I guarantee you’ll learn something. And goodness knows we need more of that, because we know what happens when we only talk to people who think like we do — we just get more stuck in our ways, more divided, and it gets harder to come together for a common purpose. Michelle Obama

As far as inspirational speeches go, Michelle Obama’s speech is very actionable. Her advice is simple (not easy), talk to each other with an open mind.

Different religion, race, political stand, it doesn’t matter. We can all learn from one another.

7. Jim Carrey – Maharashi University of Management, 2014

This is one of my favorite motivational speeches because Jim Carrey is such a good example of his message.

So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an account. Jim Carrey

Carrey’s father lost his accounting job when he was 12, and it was then he realized that failure is inevitable , whether you’re doing what you want or not. If that’s the case, you might as well take a stab at doing something you love.

8. J.K Rowling – Harvard Commencement Address, 2008

I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. J.K. Rowling

This is probably one of the most inspirational videos for writers and creatives everywhere.

Rowling was suffering from depression when he wrote the Harry Potter books. But through grit and patience with herself, she was able to complete the first Harry Potter Manuscript and, stay motivated to continue even when feeling down. Thanks to her drive and imagination, the world has Harry Potter !

9. Bono – University of Pennsylvania, 2004

In case you don’t know him, Bono is the lead singer of the famous band U2. Of course, being the rock star he is, he leads his speech by saying, “My name is Bono, and I am a rock star.”

In his speech, he urges graduates to carefully consider their big idea, in saying:

What are you willing to spend your moral capital, your intellectual capital, your cash, (and) your sweat equity in pursuing outside of the walls of the University of Pennsylvania? The world is more malleable than you think, and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape. Bono

Being a rock star, I thought Bono would talk about the perils of fame, the road to stardom or something to that effect. But instead, he talked about big ideas and changing the world.

10. Amy Poehler – Harvard University, 2011

Life is like a heist that requires good drivers, an explosives expert, a hot girl who doubles as a master of disguise, and this is a hard and fast rule. If the Rock shows up, they’re on to you . Amy Poehler

During her commencement speech at Harvard University in 2011, Amy Poehler expressed her surprise at the invitation to do so. She delivered a speech with jokes, advice, and insight as she looked out at the graduates.

She told them to head out into the world with love, light, joy, and laughter. Finishing off her speech in true Amy Poehler fashion, she also says, “please don’t forget to tip your waitresses.”

11. Meryl Streep – Barnard College, 2010

This is your time, and it feels normal to you, but really there is no normal. There’s only change, and resistance to it and then more change . Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is an actress most famous for Sophie’s Choice , The Devil Wears Prada , and Mamma Mia . She was asked to deliver the commencement speech to Barnard College in 2010. Her speech was dripping with extreme personality, honesty, and bluntness.

Streep shared her own personal stories and emphasized the importance of empathy. The audience was all women, so the speech was directed at them, but she shared many graduation messages that applied to everyone.

12. Kerry Washington – George Washington University, 2013

You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story you were meant to tell . Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington is an actress, producer, and director. In 2018, she was named the eighth highest-paid television actress and has won several awards, including the President’s Award.

In her commencement speech at George Washington University in 2013, she urged graduates to go beyond their comfort zones and live their own stories.

How to Create Your Own Inspirational Graduation Speech

Do you need to write your own inspirational speech or curate the perfect graduation message? Here are a few tips on how to do just that, so you can inspire others like the commencement speeches above.

Start With a Quote

Start with a relevant quote. This sets the overall tone of your speech and grabs your audience’s attention. A good example of this is a quote by David Brinkley, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

Provide Scenarios

Now that you have drawn in the audience, present a what-if scenario to encourage the audience to continue following your thought process.

You can also provide a scenario encouraging the audience to put themselves directly into it. Suggest that they imagine doing something and ask what they would do if it doesn’t go as planned.

If you are giving a graduation message, ask where they see themselves years down the road or what they picture success as. You can then offer advice and insight based on your own experience.

Ask Questions

You should also ask questions, whether they are literal or rhetorical. When you present a question to someone, the person intuitively answers it, keeping them engaged with what you have to say.

Pause for Silence

When giving an inspirational speech, it also helps to pause for a few seconds after important points. This pause allows the audience to react to what you have to say and settle down before you continue with your next statement. The pause is also a good way to draw attention to what you want to say.

What Makes an Inspirational Graduation Speech?

The best graduation speech should have a very uplifting message that leads with education and wisdom. The graduation speech should focus on the graduates’ achievements and accomplishments. It should highlight the sacrifices that may have been made.

When writing a graduation or inspirational speech, ensure a strong theme or message is conveyed to keep your audience’s focus and attention.

Do you remember the speaker on your graduation day? What pearls of wisdom did he or she share?

Related Reading : Don’t forget what you worked so hard on in school! Check out our 150 Education Quotes for Teachers and Students , too. These gems are good for any graduation card when offering congratulations.

Natalie Seale

3 thoughts on “Inspirational Graduation Speeches”

Am really inspired by these brief messages,indeed education has no boundary; therefore, I say to you,” education is immeasurable, regardless of what disciplines or background we find ourselves.

These are very inspiring. My favorite is from J.K. Rowling. Thanks for sharing

Actually Very Inspiring ……thanks for sharing

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GRADUATION SPEECH: Do not be afraid of failing, as long as you keep learning, you keep winning!

• Aubrei Nicole C. Ipulan
• March 25, 2018

(Words of Gratitude delivered at the Liceo de Cagayan University’s Grade 12 (Words of Gratitude delivered at the Liceo de Cagayan University’s Senior High School graduation on 22 March 2018 by Aubrei Nicole C. Ipulan, 18, one of three who graduated With Highest Honors but who topped overall among 1,454 graduates of the pioneering K-12 Class 2018 of the Cagayan de Oro City-based university.

…University officials, dear parents, beloved teachers, fellow Liceans, good afternoon.

As I am standing here behind this podium, I cannot help but remember all the other times I have been given the privilege to speak on behalf of my batch: two years ago, in tenth grade, I expressed my words of gratitude; in sixth grade, I delivered my Valedictory Speech, and in Kinder 2, I gave my first Welcome Address.

I was standing there at the center and did not know to whom I shall turn my head whenever I greeted the university officials. So young and naive. Now, I am yet again having an exceptional chance to share my insights, personally express my gratefulness, and of course, speak on behalf of you, my fellow graduates.

Albert Einstein, developer of the Quantum Theory and Theory of Relativity. Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the incandescent bulb and phonograph. Bill Gates, founder of the largest software business, Microsoft. Steve Jobs, co-founder of the revolutionary Apple computers. Mark Zuckerburg, creator of the world’s most used social media, Facebook.

What do you think are with these men that made me mention them now? Yes, they all had great contributions in everyone’s lives and they are all school drop outs. But that does not mean that we need to stop schooling in order to succeed. They had their own reasons for their decisions. We all have different ways in building ourselves in accordance with our perception of our own success.

Our journey in our Senior High School life was like a roller coaster ride – not because we had our fair share of ups and downs but because of the plot twists we experienced all throughout these years. May I see a raise of hands: Who among you here tried having failing marks in exams? Who has had days of community service due to extensive number of tardiness? Who has gone crying due to Research? Who has thought of giving up? Who wanted to succeed?

You see, we have faced innumerable challenges and surpassed all of them because of our will to succeed. We may have thought of giving up at the middle of the stormy days, but our dreams were bigger than our problems. We say ayoko na but our action does laban pa . You see, what’s good with us Filipinos is our resiliency. We can easily recover from any mishaps: we stand up after tumbling into hardships bringing with us new lessons we’ve learned. We stand up through challenges stronger than before. Why is that so? Because we see failures as our building blocks towards forming a better version of ourselves.

For one, I’ve also had my fair share of hardships and struggles. If your opinions about me are based on my rank now, thinking that life for me must have been easy, that I do not cram when there’s surprise quiz, that I do not problematize Research, Chemistry, Physics… then you are all wrong.

In Kindergarten, I’d been ashamed of myself because I forgot my lines during the story telling contest I joined. In Grade School, I experienced getting zero in my Math quiz because I subtracted the numbers instead of adding them, but that taught me to be more cautious of my work. In High School, I almost got zero again in a test because I failed to read the instructions which said “answer in all capital letters”. Good thing our teacher gave consideration to all those students who answered in lower cases that time.

Pressure – that is my greatest enemy but it also played an important role in building myself. My teachers expect too much from me. My classmates look up to me. You may think that the feeling must be so great but for me. It is not. My mistakes are easily noticed and they easily judge me based on those mistakes. I get low scores too and even sometimes spend the night crying because I do not know how to balance my responsibilities anymore then end up failing the people who believed in me.

Fellow Liceans, I am openly expressing myself because I want you to realize that anything that happened to us in the previous years, even the smallest of things, has contributed a lot to our humanity. I want you to accept your flaws because that made you who you are today.

As we have come to end of our Senior High School journey, let us not forget to acknowledge the values of gratitude we’ve inculcated and humility coupled with our faith in our Almighty Creator. This paves the way for us to reach this point in our life and achieve these fruits of our labor. So many people had a hand in our success. Let us all thank them and give them a round of applause:

To our classmates for giving us treasure-worthy experiences, for all the uphill battles we’ve overcome together, for the efforts each has exerted for the betterment of the class, and for all the merriment, indulgence, and trips that made us take a break from the stressful process of education; to our friends for flashing a genuine smile on our faces and for not letting us do or face situations alone, for backing us up every time; to our parents for selflessly giving us the support we need, financially and emotionally; to our teachers and advisers who inspire us a lot as they themselves continue to demonstrate integrity in what they do and for being so extra in making this graduation ceremony as perfect as it can be, for extending beyond their working hours just to prepare everything , and personally, I would like to thank them all for bestowing upon me their trust and confidence, for believing in my capabilities even when I doubt myself; to the Maintenance Department for keeping our environment conducive for learning; to our security guards for ensuring our safety inside the campus premises; to Nong Bing and his team for being with us to capture all the momentous events in our lives; to the Liceo Band for patiently practicing with us these previous days and for the past years and to all those remaining others who act truly behind the stage and of course; to Liceo de Cagayan University, for molding us into better citizens of our country and for instilling in our hearts and minds the values of excellence, integrity, loyalty, discipline, and service; and most especially to our Creator, regardless of our religions, for His guidance, understanding, and love. Without Him, we would have not been able to reach this point of our lives.

More importantly, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to my family for not pushing me too hard, for their encouragement, and for being sensitive with and understanding of what I feel; to my mother who knows me so well, for standing by my side and defending me in times of need; to my father who reminds me to rest whenever I am bombarded with tasks and for patiently listening to my whines especially when we are stuck in a heavy traffic; to my sisters and their better halves for knowing so well the best way to comfort me; and to my niece and nephew who never fail to wipe away any bad vibes in my system.

To my family, thank you so much for the laughter, tears, comfort, patience, care, and love. I cannot express any further how thankful I am to have you as my example in everything. Above all, I would like to thank God for guiding me all throughout everything, for hearing and answering my prayers, and most especially, for blessing me with superb people who continue to provide me the guidance to do what is just and right.

Despite all the challenges, there are a lot to thank for. Personally and sincerely, thank you all for being part of this wonderful and meaningful journey.

Plants grow better during rainy days. Fellow graduates, let us not forget the struggles we faced and the important lessons in life we learned during our education process no matter how dark and hurtful the past was. Let us bear in mind that these are our foundation in building a sturdier version of ourselves.

This graduation ceremony is a great manifestation of the hard work, sweat, and tears we’ve invested in our education. Let us congratulate each other for overcoming those challenges and for being able to reach this far.

Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find, you and I collide. Let us not worry ourselves for failing because it is through our failures that we learn better. Failing means having a time to breathe, having a time to rethink things, having a space to grow. It serves as a redirection in our lives.

Everyone fails but not all who fail is a failure for failures are only for those who did not have the courage to stand up after they fall. We will fail… but, we will never give up. Let this be our mantra for the rest of our challenging lives. Do not be afraid of failing,  as long as you keep learning, you keep winning!

Gratuliere alles! Vielen dank und Guten Tag! Congratulations everyone! Thank you very much and good afternoon! May the speed force be with us all!

( Aubrei Nicole C. Ipulan, 18, pursued the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand among seven strands in Senior High School. She also received six other awards: Mercury Drug Corporation’s Excellence in Science and Excellence in Math, Liceo U Alumni Association Medal of Excellence, Loyalty, Mayor Oscar Moreno Academic Excellence and Manny B. Villar Jr. Award. Aubrei dreams of pursuing aeronautical engineering in college).

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5 Graduation Thank You Speech Examples to Honor Your Parents

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Writing Prompts

One of the many ways to make your graduation stand out and make your parents proud, all at once, is by giving a speech that honors them. Not all speeches can work here; nonetheless, the best graduation thank you speech to parents is not as hard to create as you might think.

If you need a little inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, these ideas for graduation thank you speech to parents should be able to work for you.

01 Graduation Thank You Speech to Parents: For High School Graduates with Single Parents

  Good evening to you all. This is a wonderful day for me, and I feel very proud to be here with each and every one of you. Thank you for honoring this simple party, and I hope you have a great time.   I first wrote out a speech to thank my parents about three weeks ago, but I kept on rewriting it. It wasn’t because the script was too long or boring; it’s that I kept remembering all of the good things that my dad has done for me during my high school years.   Every time I got to the end of a complete speech, some new memory would come up, such as when he had to cancel two major work meetings to take care of me or when he changed jobs so that I could continue studying with my friends in this town.   Those are just some of the smaller things.   I decided to make this speech entirely about my Dad because he is all I have, and he has made me the happiest, luckiest high-school graduate today.   I’ve had to make so many choices during my years in high school, and my Dad never once failed to pitch in or offer his advice.   Thank you very much, Dad, for making my high school years not only bearable but awesome too!  

02 Graduation Thank You Speech to Parents: For High School Graduates with Both Parents

  Good evening and thank you for coming to my party.   There are two people in my life that I intend to make my entire speech about – it’s my awesome parents.   Mom and Dad, I didn’t originally see much use in a graduation party, but then, I realized it would be a perfect opportunity to express my love and appreciation for you both. I wanted to talk about everything you’ve done for me, all the way from middle school to beyond.   I am truly grateful for everything you’ve both done for me: all of those school lunches, all of the cold nights that you braved to come to my games, and all of that help you both gave me with my school work.   To say that all of my years of high school were improved because of your support is an understatement. All throughout high school, you two have been the force that pushed me toward studying for the SATs and other important school tests; you did this when other forces were pointing me elsewhere.   Mom, Dad, I know that I don’t say thank you as much as I should, and I often refuse hugs when you want to give me one; however, I hope you know that I will always love you both with all of my heart. Thank you.  

03 For College Graduates with Single Parents

  On my first day of college at UC Davis about four years ago, I decided that it wasn’t realistic to spend so much money on college, especially when we didn’t have enough of it. I nearly went to the Dean to quit.   I didn’t want to be that guy who would spend 10+ years paying back my student loans after graduating from college. I knew that my mom would understand because we always listen to each other’s points of view.   However, when I told her the whole story, she listened for a while and told me to go back to school. She told me that everything would be okay. We couldn’t determine the future, she said, whether I’d suffer with student loans or be lucky enough to pay them back quickly.   She made me understand the importance of getting a college education. When I heard my name called out today by the Dean to say that I earned a bachelor’s degree, I turned around to see that she was there, as she always is.   It dawned on me that she pushed me to find gold, even when I didn’t see that it was there. I consider myself very lucky to have you as a mother, Mom.   Thank you for everything you’ve done for me for the last four years. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.  

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04 Graduation Thank You Speech to Parents: For College Graduates with Both Parents

  Thank you for coming and good evening.   As I celebrate this achievement, the biggest reward to me is having both of my parents with me today, who are both alive, healthy, and of sound mind. Unfortunately, not all of my classmates can say the same.   I have always wanted to make my parents proud, starting from high school. When I got into Princeton, they were both very happy for me.   I knew that I would have to work even harder to make them proud once I entered high school. The fact that they are both accomplished people in their own right was and still is a major driving force.   So, Mom and Dad, thank you for everything. Thank you for the sacrifices that you’ve had to make in order to get me through school; thank you for all of the sacrifices that you’ve both made for me and for all of the love you’ve given me throughout my life.   Most of all, thank you for being two wonderful people. All of my friends who’ve had the luck of meeting you say that you’re both the coolest cats that they’ve ever met, and they are right.   I hope this bachelor’s degree makes you proud of me, and I hope it makes you as happy as I am. I am also thrilled to announce that I have been offered a prestigious internship at Merrill Lynch, and I start next week!  

05 Graduation Thank You Speech to Parents: For College Graduates Whose Parents Are No Longer Alive

  This is a great day for me, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t super excited right now. To my mom and dad, in heaven or wherever they are, I have only two words: thank you.   Thank you for all of the love and protection that you give me every day through your spirits. You may no longer be here, but I get through every day feeling as though the presence of both of you is with me.   The memory of you both has kept me going, especially throughout college; at some point, it was the only driving force I had left. Thank you for giving me strength.   I am lucky that I have two wonderful people that love me and care for me just as you both would have done. Mr. and Mrs. Crawley have been very good to me for all of these years.   They inspired me to go to college when I didn’t want to. They’ve always listened to me and laughed with me; they’ve forgiven me for my mistakes. Even today, they are here with me.   Things haven’t always been easy, but they didn’t discard things when life became difficult or complicated. In fact, if this is an indication of anything, it is that success is possible even under the most difficult and unusual circumstances.   So, I want to thank you for everything, Mom and Dad. Now that I have a college degree, I’ll continue making you proud.  

30 Great Words to Describe a Teacher

  It goes without saying that not all types of speeches work well for graduation parties.   A good graduation speech should mention the parents, and it should be smartly worded.   If you are currently writing a graduation speech or just seeking inspiration for one, you can use our ideas above for graduation thank you speech to parents.  

• Types of Public Speaking →

How to Craft a Memorable Graduation or Commencement Speech

Navigating the challenge of delivering a captivating graduation speech can be a daunting task. Did you know, commencement speeches have become an integral part of graduation ceremonies, often delivered by notable figures like Steve Jobs at Stanford University? This blog will guide you through crafting an impactful and memorable address that not only celebrates milestones but inspires graduates as they embark on new journeys.

Ready for the applause? Continue reading!

How to Deliver an Inspiring and Motivating Graduation Speech

To deliver an inspiring and motivating graduation speech, reflect on past experiences, address the challenges and opportunities that await graduates, acknowledge their achievements, express gratitude and appreciation, and use storytelling to leave a lasting impression.

Reflecting on past experiences

Casting your mind back, weaving a rich tapestry of triumphs and trials, emerges as an essential ingredient in crafting a compelling graduation speech. TV mogul Shonda Rhimes emphasized this approach when she advised graduates to be doers rather than dreamers, drawing from her own experiences.

Contemplating past experiences doesn’t just stir nostalgia – it injects vital context and authenticity into your message, resonating with many who have charted the same journey. From acknowledging failures to celebrating successes; each story serves as a shining beacon illuminating the path for new graduates.

After all, every lesson learned contributes significantly to shaping an inspiring oration akin to  Horace Mann’s timeless address  in 1859 that stressed achieving victories for humanity before one’s death.

It’s about more than just reflecting on memorable high school moments: it’s understanding how these tales underpin today’s accomplished person – you!

Addressing the challenges and opportunities that await graduates

Nailing the section of your speech that shines a light on the challenges and opportunities that await graduates is key in delivering an inspiring and motivating commencement address. Begin by acknowledging how graduating from an educational institution does more than bestow a degree, it equips students with valuable tools for navigating life’s twists and turns.

Discuss how resilience, overcoming adversity, not fearing failure, and taking risks are all fostered through education.

Next, pivot to illuminating future possibilities stemming from their educational achievements. Highlight the exciting potential inherent in each graduate’s unique capabilities and interests.

The world needs their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to continue progressing forward. Expound on how these attributes can be leveraged for personal growth while also contributing positively towards societal development.

Always opt for a tone of optimism encased in realism – letting your audience know that they have reason to celebrate today but also plenty of hard work awaits them tomorrow.

Acknowledging the achievements of graduates

In crafting your keynote addresses for graduation ceremonies, it’s crucial to spotlight the achievements of your graduates. Validate their hard work and perseverance that led them to this celebratory milestone.

This can range from individual academic achievements to collective strides made by the class as a whole.  Steve Jobs’ commencement speech  comes to mind; he saluted students’ tenacity, not just scholastic accomplishments.

Pay attention also to the personal growth and character development they’ve undergone during their journey in school or college. Commend them on stepping outside their comfort zone, dealing with life lessons head-on, and overcoming challenges bravely.

As you celebrate these authentic displays of grit and resilience, ensure that you speak with honesty while articulating these accolades—lending significant weight to your words and making your commencement address truly memorable.

Expressing gratitude and appreciation

One key aspect of delivering an inspiring and motivating graduation speech is expressing gratitude and appreciation. Graduates have achieved a significant milestone in their lives, and it’s essential to acknowledge the support and encouragement they’ve received along the way.

By thanking those who believed in them, supported them, and helped them succeed, graduates can create a sense of connection and gratitude within their speech. This recognition not only shows humility but also inspires others to appreciate the people who have played a role in their own achievements.

Expressing genuine appreciation goes beyond just saying thank you – it creates a heartfelt connection with the audience , leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Using storytelling to leave a lasting impression

Crafting a memorable graduation speech involves using storytelling to leave a lasting impression on the graduates. Storytelling has a unique ability to captivate an audience, evoke emotions, and make key messages more relatable.

By sharing personal anecdotes or inspiring stories of individuals who have achieved great things, public speakers can connect with their audience on a deeper level. These narratives not only entertain but also provide valuable life lessons and insights for the graduates as they embark on their future journeys.

Incorporating storytelling into a graduation speech helps create an engaging and impactful experience that will resonate with the listeners long after they leave the ceremony.

Tips for Engaging and Entertaining Graduates

Incorporate humor and address the emotions and feelings of graduates to keep them engaged and entertained throughout your speech.

Incorporating humor

Humor is a powerful tool in engaging and entertaining an audience , especially during graduation and commencement speeches. Incorporating wit and humor into your speech not only brings life to traditional celebrations but also appeals to young attendees who appreciate a lighthearted approach.

Research has shown that the use of humor in college classrooms has numerous benefits for students, such as enhancing their learning experience and fostering a positive classroom atmosphere. When delivering your speech, striking the right balance between humor, self-awareness, advice, and empowerment is crucial for leaving a memorable impact on the graduates.

Just like  Will Ferrell’s USC commencement speech  aimed to both congratulate and inspire the graduates, infusing humor into your address can help you connect with the audience on a deeper level while still conveying important messages.

So why not have some fun with your graduation speech? Break through the serious barriers by incorporating funny anecdotes or witty one-liners that will keep everyone entertained throughout the ceremony.

Addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates

One essential aspect of delivering a memorable graduation speech is addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates. As they stand on the cusp of a new chapter in their lives, it’s crucial to recognize the mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and nostalgia that may be coursing through them.

By acknowledging these emotions and speaking directly to them, you can establish an immediate connection with your audience. Sharing personal experiences that resonate with their own struggles and triumphs can further deepen this emotional bond.

Whether it’s emphasizing the importance of embracing change or offering words of encouragement for navigating the challenges ahead, tapping into their emotions will help create a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Techniques for Creating a Memorable and Impactful Graduation Speech

Create a memorable and impactful graduation speech by inspiring and motivating graduates, leaving a lasting impression, and engaging and entertaining them throughout the address.

Inspiring and motivating graduates

Crafting a memorable and impactful graduation speech is all about inspiring and motivating graduates to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing the challenges graduates may face, and acknowledging their achievements, you can create a speech that resonates with your audience.

Incorporate storytelling to leave a lasting impression and connect with graduates on a deeper level. Research shows that sharing important life lessons in commencement speeches is an effective way to inspire and motivate individuals as they embark on their next chapter.

Look for inspirational quotes about success to add weight to your message. For inspiration, consider analyzing influential commencement speeches from the 21st century like  Steve Jobs’ powerful address at Stanford .

Leaving a lasting impression

Crafting a graduation speech that leaves a lasting impression is crucial for any public speaker. The goal is to inspire and motivate graduates as they embark on their next chapter. Incorporating impactful storytelling techniques can captivate the audience and make your message resonate deeply.

By acknowledging the achievements of the graduates, addressing their challenges and opportunities, expressing gratitude, and using humor strategically, you can create a memorable experience for everyone present.

Remember, a well-delivered speech has the power to uplift spirits, ignite aspirations, and celebrate this significant milestone in life.

Engaging and entertaining graduates

To truly engage and entertain graduates during a commencement speech, it’s important to incorporate elements that connect with their emotions and feelings. Adding humor is one way to break the ice and create a lighthearted atmosphere.

Sharing personal stories can also help establish a connection with the audience, making the speech relatable and memorable. Additionally, using inspirational themes or incorporating local references can further engage graduates by making the speech relevant to their experiences.

By combining humor, emotion, storytelling, and relatability in your graduation speech, you can captivate and entertain your audience while leaving them inspired for their future endeavors.

In conclusion, graduation and commencement speeches play a crucial role in inspiring and motivating graduates as they embark on their next journey. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing challenges and opportunities, acknowledging achievements, expressing gratitude, using storytelling techniques, incorporating humor, and engaging emotions, speakers can create memorable and impactful speeches that leave a lasting impression.

These speeches serve as a foundation for personal growth, character building, defining success, and celebrating accomplishments. Remember to step outside your comfort zone when delivering these speeches and always strive to inspire with authenticity and honesty.

Graduation ceremonies are not just about receiving diplomas; they are about providing valuable life lessons that resonate with students at any stage of their education. So go out there and deliver an unforgettable speech filled with inspiration, motivation, laughter – making it the highlight of every graduation ceremony!

1. What is the purpose of a graduation or commencement speech?

The purpose of a graduation or commencement speech is to inspire and motivate graduating students as they transition into the next phase of their lives. It aims to provide guidance, advice, and encouragement for success in both personal and professional endeavors.

2. Who typically delivers a graduation or commencement speech?

Graduation or commencement speeches are often delivered by notable individuals such as successful entrepreneurs, influential leaders, renowned academics, industry experts, celebrities, or even fellow graduates who have achieved significant accomplishments.

3. How long should a graduation or commencement speech be?

The duration of a graduation or commencement speech can vary depending on the event’s schedule and the speaker’s allotted time. Generally, these speeches range from 10 to 20 minutes in length but can extend up to 30 minutes on certain occasions.

4. Can I find examples of famous graduation or commencement speeches online?

Yes! Many famous graduation or commencement speeches are available online through platforms like YouTube and various websites dedicated to inspirational content. These speeches offer valuable insights that can serve as inspiration for crafting your own memorable address.

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Best Graduation Thank You Messages

Table of Contents

One of the hallmarks of graduating is the graduation speech, the sentimental eulogy that ties people and events together. But, some people walked the path with you and deserve your appreciation.

You should thank people who gave you gifts, affection, and constant support during your journey.

A great way to express gratitude is through handwritten notes on a graduation card. These easy-to-follow examples are provided to assist and encourage graduates as they pen their expressions of gratitude. Let’s take a look!

Importance of a Graduation Thank You Message

Thank you messages from graduates are the most touching way to express appreciation to family and friends. You say thank you for showing how grateful you are for your loved ones and the support they provided throughout the years. 

It can be challenging to come up with the right words to thank every person who played a role in your journey.

Yet the importance of saying thank you cannot be ignored. A thank you message serves as a reminder of the support you have received from the people in your life.

High School Grad Thank You Messages

Passing out from high school means the end of an era—a time to move on and embark on a new life journey. 

You may want to thank those who have helped you on your journey. Here are some samples of heartfelt graduation thank you messages .

• Thank you for celebrating my high school graduation with me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends like you.
• Celebrating my high school graduation party with you was a blast. Thank you for everything.
• Thank you for joining me on my special day. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated.
• I am so glad you could share in my graduation celebrations. Thank you for helping make this occasion so special!
• Thank you for the beautiful card, and congratulations on my high school graduation.
• These past four years have flown by so fast. Thank you for celebrating my college graduation with me; I couldn’t have done it without you.

College Grad Thank You Messages

Graduating from college can seem like a huge accomplishment. And sending a graduation thank you message is a very thoughtful act that provides an excellent opportunity for closure in your life.

These college graduation thank you messages are as charming as they are heartfelt. Choose your favorite from the list below:

• Graduation reminds me of everyone who has touched my life. The gift of your presence and acknowledgment is truly appreciated.
• Thank you. Words can never tell you what your congratulations and generous heart has meant to me. With all my love
• Thank you for coming to my college graduation party. It was such a lovely day to have all my friends and family.
• Thank you for celebrating this momentous day with me.
• It’s been a long road of late nights and long mornings, but I made it! Thank you for joining me in celebration of my graduation.
• Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your sharing in my special graduation day.
• Thank you so much for taking the time to come to my graduation ceremony. Words can’t express how happy I was to see you sitting there when I walked onto the stage.
• You brought joy to my special graduating day. Words can never tell you what your congratulations has meant to me.
• As I graduate, a new journey begins. I thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness, and prayers.
• Thank you so much for my graduation gift, but the real gift was seeing you. I can’t wait to see you guys again soon. Thanks again.

MBA Grad Thank You Messages

It took a great deal of help from loved ones for you to complete your MBA, and these notes of gratitude acknowledge that.

• I am happy that you were able to share such a milestone with me, either by being there or remembering with your generosity. Thank you so much for being part of my MBA grad celebration
• I am so glad that you were able to join in the celebration of my graduation.
• Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift and attending my graduation party. It really meant a lot to me to have you there for the celebrations.
• Thank you for your support and love. I couldn’t have accomplished this without your support.
• Support and generosity of family and friends will always be remembered as I explore new goals and work toward new achievements.
• “How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.” Thank you for being that kind touch on my graduation day.

Grad Gift Thank You Messages

Use these thank you messages to express gratitude to those who generously contributed to your graduation celebration.

• This brings sincere thanks for the lovely graduation gift you sent, I wish to tell you just how much it meant to me.
• Thank you so much for your generous gift and for thinking of me on my graduation day. I am so grateful.
• Accept my warmest thankful wishes for attending and making my graduation day special and memorable one. Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will forever treasure.
• A simple thanks may not be enough, but I’m still sending this note to express my gratitude. Thank you so much for being a part of my graduation day. I couldn’t have made it without you.
• Thank you for your love gift and for sharing on my graduation day.
• Thank you for your support, love, and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you! Oh, and thank you for your generous gift too.

Final Words

Graduations mark the changing of the seasons and the changing of one’s life. It’s a time for celebrating and appreciating everything your loved ones have done to help you get to this point in your life. 

Sending graduation thank you message allows you to express your gratitude to them and help them remember the times when you found success together. The shared memories your graduation messages can create will last a lifetime.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: May 24, 2023

After your graduation ceremony, your family and friends will shower you with gifts, love, and endless support in your next chapter of life. Once you have a nice pile of graduation messages , congratulations, and goodies, it’s important to show your appreciation for all of their kindness. What better way to do so than with personalized graduation thank you cards from Shutterfly ? We’re here to help and inspire grads to write their thank yous with our simple-to-follow examples below.

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Graduations are a huge milestone and are a special time to celebrate with your grad by giving them personalized graduation gifts they will love. Gifts come in all different shapes and sizes and will make nice additions to the graduation cards you plan on giving them to express how proud you are of all of their achievements.

Why is Grad Thank You Note Wording Important?

What do you say in a graduation thank you card, how long should your message be, when should you send thank you notes, high school grad thank you messages, college grad thank you messages, mba grad thank you messages, nursing grad thank you messages, grad gift thank you messages.

The best way for grads to show their gratitude towards loved ones is with a heartfelt, handwritten thank you note. These days, a thank you can go a long way, so pick out graduation thank you cards set that best suits your style. It can be hard to know exactly what to say to each and everyone who made your graduation day special, but here is some guidance for what should be mentioned in each grad thank you note.

It’s completely normal to be at a loss for words when the time comes around to sitting down and writing out all of your personalized thank you notes. Especially when you are feeling so many emotions during this exciting time in your life. There are surely a handful of special people that made your graduation celebrations one-of-a-kind. The main takeaway should be to remind your grandma, cousin, or aunt how much you love and appreciate them for the thoughtful grad gifts given to you. Wording should be sincere, thoughtful, respectful and most importantly, hand done .

A Tip Before You Start Your Graduation Thank You Note

Before you have time to fret about the thank you card wording you’ll be using, you may be asking yourself, “Who gave me what?” Here’s a tip we think you’ll find useful.

Keep track of the gifts: There is nothing quite like a heartfelt thank you message that shows your appreciation and you want to make sure you don’t forget anyone. We all love to feel appreciated and having a list to refer to, in terms of who got you what, will make your graduation thank you card writing just that much smoother.

If you are looking for wording suggestions and verses for thank you cards, let us help. Whether you want your card to have a funny flare, a genuine tone or a serious feel, we have you covered. Not to mention, we have examples for just about every graduation occasion including; high school, college, nursing and more.  Craft your very own personal and appreciative graduation thank you’s for everyone on your list with some of our favorite thank you sayings fit to suit any relationship you have with the recipient. Follow these five steps and the below guidance for the perfect thank you note.

1. First Sentence

Say thanks right from the get go. Some examples include:

• “Thank you for the generous gift”
• “Thank you for joining me in celebrating my graduation.”

2. Second Sentence

Mention the Gift: If you did receive a gift, mention it and tell them what you are going to be using it for. For example, if you were gifted a locket necklace from your grandma, tell her how much you will be wearing the necklace in the future. Whether it be to special occasions or for everyday wear, your grandma will feel happy knowing she gifted you something you love and will wear all the time. You can also look to our resource on graduation gift etiquette for additional help.

3. Express Emotion

Tell them just how happy it made you to see them at your graduation ceremony or how much you missed them at your ceremony but appreciate the generous card they sent. If a family member you haven’t seen in years surprises you at your graduation, tell them how emotional it made you to see them and how it made you burst into tears of joy. They’ll surely feel special knowing their appearance was worth all the while.

4. Personalization is Key

You don’t want every thanks to seem generic and as if you didn’t put any special thought into the sentiment. Add special details and appreciation to each card by mentioning specifics and always hand write the notes. You can add specific graduation quotes or sayings within your card as well to give it a personal or unique touch.

5. Address Thank You With Care

If it’s an old friend or someone whom you’re close with, go ahead and use their first name or nickname, but if it’s someone like your parents’ friends that you don’t know particularly well use Mr. and Mrs. Last Name to show your respect.

The message doesn’t need to be multiple paragraphs for it to feel sincere. A thoughtful message may not take more than two or three sentences. Just make sure that whatever you write comes from the heart and shows your appreciation.

The key thing to remember when thinking about the timing of sending your grad thank yous is to not wait too long. Try to send your thank you messages three to four days after your celebrations end, or immediately after receiving a gift or contribution in response to your graduation announcement or college send off invitations .

The following graduation thank you card saying are perfect for any recent high school graduate.

• Thank you for celebrating my high school graduation with me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends like you.
• Celebrating my high school graduation party with you was a blast. Thank you for everything.
• Thank you for joining me on my special day. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated.
• I am so glad that you were able to share in my graduation celebrations. Thank you for helping make this occasion so special!
• Dear, (insert name) I just wanted to thank you both again for coming to my graduation ceremony. It was great to have such a loud cheering section. Thanks again.
• I am so happy that you were able to share my day with me either by being there or remembering with your generosity. Thank you so much for being a part of my high school grad celebration.
• I was so happy that you could attend my graduation party. And thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I will use the corkboard to create a fun photo collage of my family and high school friends. When I hang it on the wall of my college dorm it will remind me of you and all of those special people back home who love and support me.
• During my graduation ceremony, it was so wonderful to look up into the crowd and see you sitting there smiling and supporting me. That was such an important day for me and I am so glad you were there to share it. Thanks again.
• Thank you so much for the wonderful card and congratulations on my high school graduation.
• Thank you so much for my graduation gift, but the real gift was seeing you. I can’t wait to see you guys again soon. Thanks again.

These college graduation thank you messages are as sweet as the are sincere. Pick your favorite from those below:

• Graduation reminds me of everyone who has touched my life. The gift of your presence and acknowledgement is truly appreciated.
• Thank you. Words can never tell you what your congratulations and generous heart has meant to me. With all my love
• Thank you for coming to my college graduation party . It was such a lovely day to have all my friends and family there.
• Thank you for celebrating this momentous day with me.
• It’s been a long road of late nights and long mornings, but I made it! Thank you for joining me in celebration of my graduation.
• Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your sharing in my special graduation day.
• Thank you so much for taking the time to come to my graduation ceremony. Words can’t express how happy I was to see you sitting there when I walked onto the stage.
• You brought joy to my special graduating day. Words can never tell you what your congratulations has meant to me.
• As I graduate, a new journey begins. I thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness and prayers.
• These past four years have flown by so fast. Thank you for celebrating my college graduation with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.

It took a lot of support from loved ones to help you make it through your MBA, and these grad thank you messages say just that.

• I am happy that you were able to share such a milestone with me, either by being there or remembering with your generosity. Thank you so much for being part of my MBA grad celebration
• I am so glad that you were able to join in the celebration of my graduation.
• Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift and attending my graduation party . It really meant a lot to me to have you there for the celebrations.
• It was a real treat having you at my graduation ceremony. Thank you so much for being there for me throughout the years and on this momentous day.
• Thank you so much for attending my graduation ceremony. I know it was a long trip down for you and I appreciate your driving to be there on my special day. Thank you also for your thoughtful gift. I know I will be putting it to use very soon.
• Thank you for your support and love. I couldn’t have accomplished this without your support.
• Support and generosity of family and friends will always be remembered as I explore new goals and work toward new achievements.
• Thank you for remembering my graduation. Your card was so sweet and I’m glad I could celebrate this with you. I’m looking forward to celebrating future accomplishments with you soon.
• “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Thank you so much for being a part of my graduation celebrations. I cannot express to you how much it meant to me to have you there.
• “How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.” Thank you for being that kind touch on my graduation day.

These nursing graduation thank you card messages help say a sincere thank you to those who made the biggest impact in your life.

• Thank you so very much for being a part of my nursing grad ceremony. I couldn’t have made it through school without all of your kind love and support.
• Thank you so much for thinking of me during my graduation. I really appreciate the thought and your gift. Also, thank you for your good wishes as I start a new chapter in my life. I look forward to keeping in touch.
• Of all the skills I will ever learn, the greatest one I will ever hold, is the healing touch of a caring heart. I am so excited to be calling the shots soon. Thank you so much for celebrating my graduation from nursing school with me. Your kindness is much appreciated.
• Nursing is a lot of heart work and I couldn’t have made it to graduation without the love and support of you. Thank you for being a part of this momentous occasion.
• I want to say thank you for helping me survive nursing school and for your generous graduation gift.
• Thank you for attending my graduation party, I enjoyed catching up with you over dessert. I really appreciate the money and plan to put it towards renting my first apartment. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
• Thank you for attending my graduation ceremony. I really enjoyed having you there on my special day.
• Thank you so much for thinking of me on my graduation day. I appreciate your thoughtful card and generous gift. You can’t see me right now, but I’m totally doing a happy dance. Hope all is well.
• This isn’t a thank you note; it’s a hug with a fold in it. Thanks so much for my nursing grad congratulations and card.
• Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. I will be using it a lot as I embark on my nursing career this fall. Hope all is well and thanks again.

If a loved one gave you a generous graduation gift or contribution, make sure to thank them with one of the following grad thank you card messages.

• This brings sincere thanks for the lovely graduation gift you sent, I wish to tell you just how much it meant to me.
• Thank you so much for your very generous gift and thinking of me on my graduation day. I am so grateful.
• Accept my warmest thankful wishes for attending and making my graduation day special and a memorable one. Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will forever treasure.
• A simple thanks may not be enough, but I’m still sending this note to express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you so much for being a part of my graduation day. I couldn’t have made it without you.
• Thank you for your gift of love and for sharing in my graduation day.
• I enjoyed the cake and the gifts too, but my favorite part of graduation day was seeing you. Thank you for helping me celebrate such a momentous day.
• Thank you for coming to my graduation party!  I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you also for my wonderful gift, a laptop is just what I need for college. Thanks again.
• Thank you very much for your generous gift. It was greatly appreciated and will assist me in being one of the most comfortable students on campus. As I transition into this new phase of my life, I am excited about attending (college you plan to attend,) and look forward to making everyone proud of me. Please keep me in your prayers throughout my journey, as support is instrumental to my success. Thanks again for your thoughtful gift.
• Just a short note to thank you for everything you did for me at my graduation. I cannot wait to use (the gift you gave me) for (whatever the gift can be used for.) Thanks again.
• Thank you for your support, love, and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you! Oh, and thank you for your generous gift too.

Resources Related to Graduation Thank You Card Sayings

Once the confetti has been popped, the cake is eaten and the graduation party or college send off celebration dies down, don’t forget about sending out grad thank you cards . Hopefully, you are inspired after reading these thank you card sayings and you can always edit them to your liking. Keep in mind that the best thanks are the ones that come straight from the heart and writing what you feel is exactly what you should do; your friends and family are sure to appreciate the time and effort you put into your thank you notes. For tips on making your thank you card perfect, follow our guide to personalizing cards . And if you’re looking for additional resources, make sure to look to our graduation content hub .

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Breaking news, scotus decides case of calif. homeowner charged $23,000 to build on his own land.

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The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously ruled that fees governments issue — even those imposed by a legislature — must be based on actual adverse impacts.

In other words, building permit fees, for example, can’t cost more than any damage the public would face from development.

“Holding building permits hostage in exchange for excessive development fees is obviously extortion,” said Paul Beard, the attorney who represented the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case. “We are thrilled that the Court agreed and put a stop to a blatant attempt to skirt the Fifth Amendment’s prohibition against taking private property without just compensation.” 

In 2016, George Sheetz bought a vacant lot in El Dorado County, California, near Lake Tahoe.

He planned to build a house for his retirement after working for 50 years in construction.

But he was told he would have to pay “traffic impact mitigation” fee of over $23,000 to obtain a building permit. The county legislature created the fee a few years earlier to help pay for roadwork.

“That’s when I started getting pissed off,” Sheetz, who spent 50 years in construction and built several homes throughout his life, told Fox News in January. “I said, ‘this is ridiculous.’”

Sheetz paid the fee but immediately sued El Dorado County.

The local government argued that its traffic impact mitigation fee was needed to pay for road maintenance and was similar to fees that fund parks and police departments.

Beard agreed that governments should be allowed to use taxpayer money to fund services. But he argued that El Dorado’s traffic impact mitigation fee was unconstitutional because the amount wasn’t tied to any actual estimated damage.

The lower courts sided with the county since the traffic impact mitigation fee was issued by the local legislature rather than the administrative branch.  The Supreme Court  rejected that position.

“In sum, there is no basis for affording property rights less protection in the hands of legislators than administrators,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her opinion. “The Takings Clause applies equally to both—which means that it prohibits legislatures and agencies alike from imposing unconstitutional conditions on land-use permits.”

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El Dorado County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Carla Hass said the local government was “pleased” with the decision, noting that it “answers only a narrow question on which the parties already agreed.”

“It explicitly leaves open the County’s other strong defenses and casts no doubt on whether local governments can continue to impose reasonable permitting conditions (including impact fees) on new development under their traditional land-use authority, as the County has done here,” Hass said in a statement. “The County looks forward to defending its program in any further litigation.”

The case will return to the lower court. There, it will determine whether the fee is subject to the unconstitutional conditions doctrine, which requires government fees to be proportionate to adverse public impacts caused by development.

If it is, then the court will consider whether El Dorado County’s $23,000 fee was proportional to the traffic impact caused by Sheetz building his 1,800-square-foot manufactured home.

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