What is commencement?
A beginning? A ceremony? Both?
I’ve written about commencements before . . .
here . . . (the language of music)
here . . . (Commencement and ILA15)
here . . . (college graduation and a green river)
here . . . (since last March)
and here! (a micro-essay about TSA Troubles)
There are some extra special memories associated with Commencement this year.
We now have another Doctor in the family . . . in a new generation.
College commencement ceremonies for the son and granddaughter.
The decorated mortarboards that instantly make my eyes leak rivers.
High school graduations for friends and the step-grandkids.
And then a preschool graduate later this week. That will be a new one for me.
I’m a sucker for “Pomp and Circumstance”.
I’m a sucker for great speeches.
I believe Jason Reynold’s speech at Lesley College was just the right length and oh, so true . . . but I’m not including a link because the entire video is over two hours. I had a major fail when I sent it to the kids. You just need to find the 50 minute mark and listen for the next 10 – 11 minutes.
“We made it!”
What do you think makes a great Commencement Speech?
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here. 
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I showed that 10 minutes of brilliance to all my classes yesterday!! We had such interesting discussions about the story he told. I also find your post interesting. Now that you have been a blogger for so long, you have returned to this topic so often!! Fun to see!
Sally,
Obviously I love the music, the speeches or the family events! HA! Doesn’t that story add so much depth? The power of story!
Well, that got me teary-eyed. I will have to show this to my students.
Adrienne,
I’m wondering if the words are posted somewhere. It would be a great mentor for writing, speeches, and for “Again and Again” (Notice and Note).
I am going to listen to it after my commentating. From your post and the remarks it must be really moving. I will have to share it with some friends.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
What a powerful message in Jason’s story. Thanks for sharing, Fran.
Alice,
Short, sweet, and with a message! Speakers don’t always need to use a lot of words to be effective!!!
I went to 3 commencements in 4 days in 3 states this weekend – I needed this post!! Exhausted and proud and joyous and hopeful — all at the same time!!! Thank you for summing up my weekend!!!
Clare,
You were busy. It’s so gratifying to see the results . . . but as you said, “Exhausted and proud, and joyous and hopeful – all at the same time!”