Intent to Speak
Graduation Ceremony, Riverton High School, 2022
Theme: You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You
can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And
you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go. - Dr.
Seuss/Theodore Geisel
Here’s what you need to do to audition:
1. Write a speech that is about 2 minutes long (that is approximately 300 words). Your speech might be
about your experience as a student at RHS, your memories of the past three years, what is special
about Riverton High, how your high school years influenced you or helped shape you into the person
you are, or how RHS helped you develop your goals or your academic acumen. You could speak about
your growth and your hopes for the future. Of course, this is just a very small sampling of possible
topics. Most good commencement speeches express gratitude, contain some humor, go light on the
quotes, are specific and a little bit personal without being about the speaker.
2. Your speech will be judged on content, length, and delivery or “stage presence.” You do not need to
memorize your speech for your audition; however, you should know your final speech so well that it
appears to be memorized upon delivery.
3. Your audition will be viewed and judged by the Graduation Speech Selection committee, which consists
of a panel of teachers, an administrator, and the senior class officers and their advisor.
4. Three speakers will be selected to represent this year’s senior class.
You must also submit the following to Ms. Erin McGuire, no later than 3:00 pm, THURSDAY, APRIL 28:
●a signed copy of this Intent to Speak document.
●a transcript or similar document from your counselor showing you are cleared for graduation.
●a hard copy of your speech, including your speech’s title and your name written as you would like it on
the program.
Finally, remember that commencement at Riverton High is steeped in tradition. Please prepare your speech to
reflect the traditions of our school, the dignity of the occasion, and the excitement with which the graduates
and their families look to the future.
Good luck!
