Special to the HT
MEEKER | This is the time when words of hope for the future fill the air. Most are directed at younger generations as they matriculate from secondary schools to colleges and universities. The beginning and end of each school year seem to contain more optimism and forward thinking than any other time. The number of schools honoring preschool, kindergarten, sixth-grade and eighth-grade continuation or mini-graduation ceremonies has grown exponentially.
National Public Radio’s speech database reportedly contains more than 350 commencement speeches available online. That number undoubtedly changes each year as a new generation moves forward. Easy access to successful graduation speeches allows anyone to gain a clear sense of what should be included in an address so that listeners receive the underlying message — one that may remain memorable long after it is given.
Further research into those “great” speeches reveals common themes and a high probability of certain words appearing within them. Right now, the top 10 words are usually life, make, people, world, yourself, made, success, generation, define and human. The active verb make allows the graduate listening to take a leading role in whatever they decide to do in the future.
Ever wonder why the word commencement could be mistaken for the ending of one’s school years when it was originally meant to describe a beginning — as in, to commence? Popular use describing students finishing their school careers may be the reason.
Matriculate dates to the late 18th century and specifically referred to enrolling a person in an educational program. Graduate, referring both to the person and the action, dates back to the 14th century.
The words “go forth” at the end of a commencement speech can only mean one thing: the graduate is ending one stage of life to begin another.
By DOLLY VISCARDI
