“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say..."
Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic has gone viral after he took the stage at his graduation ceremony to deliver his speech—just hours after his father's funeral.
It wasn't until I lost my mom that I learned to truly appreciate the simple times we had together. I pray you don't make the same mistake with your mothers—or daughters. It's hard being a motherless mom.
“I screamed ‘MY SISTER DIED!’ and I chucked a cup of water across the room. A wave of relief washed over me as I thought now that my sister is gone, there was no way God would take my husband too.”
"Friends, this is a painful truth, a call for help, a wide-eyed end-of-my-rope shouting from my darkest and most cob-webby places that I can't do it anymore."
It’s not really even something you can wrap your mind around. You go into it thinking that 18-20 years sounds like a long time. Then suddenly hours turn into days, days into months, and months into years.
"For 30 seconds, really show you’re elated to see them. Make them feel like you were looking forward to getting back home. Your attitude sets the tone for the rest of the evening within 15 seconds of walking in the door."
