Shadowing Practice: Funniest Graduation Speech of All Time - Learn English Speaking with Video

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At this time, Ryan Burton, President of the Class of 2015, will welcome you.
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Good morning everyone.
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On behalf of the Class of 2015, I would like to welcome all faculty,
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alumni, friends, family, distinguished guests to the 87th commencement ceremony of La Plata High School.
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Well, graduates, we made it.
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As a group, we did indeed start from the very bottom.
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Now it looks like the whole team's here.
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Think about how far we have come individually and as a class.
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Looking back to freshman year, it seems like it was just yesterday.
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There was the first football game, the first class, the first girlfriend,
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the second girlfriend, the third girlfriend,
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the figuring out that you were the problem.
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Yet, our hearts repaired and we grew physically and mentally.
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Think about the music and fashion trends that we lived through and all the different dance moves that were created.
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You had the jerk, the Dougie, the whip.
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Does anyone remember that song Friday by Rebecca Black?
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Now we have a song called Tuesday.
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It's funny how things change.
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This class of 2015 has undoubtedly been one of the most successful and outstanding classes in La Plata High School's history.
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We accumulated a whopping $12,637,544 in scholarship money.
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In our years at La Plata, our athletic programs brought home 10 SMAC titles, 9 regional titles, and 3 state titles.
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Our various student organizations outdid themselves and proudly represented our school.
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Unplugged, its academic, MESA, math team, and many more flourished over the past four years, winning countless awards.
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Yet, our four years at La Plata were no walk in the park.
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We were presented with many challenges and obstacles that we had to overcome.
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I cannot even begin to imagine how many families were torn apart because of Edline.
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Every student has experienced his or her fair share of disappointment and upset, including me.
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I'll never forget the day I saw the Spider-Man movie for the first time.
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I leapt off the couch and said to my mom, when I grow up, I want to be Spider-Man.
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She looked at me and said, Ryan, grow up, you graduate next week.
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Things might not always go the way you planned, but I know we can all agree that this class is resilient.
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We survived an earthquake, two blackouts and Ebola.
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The fact that we made it here, decorated with these awards and accomplishments,
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is just a testament to our perseverance and commitment to excellence.
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Graduates, you are all destined for greatness.
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Each and every one of you has the potential to change the world.
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You have all grown into powerful, intellectual individuals who will make a massive footprint on this earth.
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Tables turn, bridges burn, you live and learn.
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and often times it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.
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So as we part ways equipped with priceless knowledge we embark on a life sure to be filled with challenges and success.
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Street poet and philosopher Drake once said Oh well, I guess you'll lose some and win some.
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Long as the outcome is income.
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You know I want it all and then some.
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While the idea of material success does influence our lives heavily, I ask that you follow your dreams and do what makes you happy.
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Class, strive to be the best version of yourself.
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Fly through the turbulence and live life because you are a warrior.
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Be phenomenal or be forgotten.
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Congratulations, class of 2015.
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Thank you.

Context & Background

The graduation speech delivered by Ryan Burton, President of the Class of 2015 at La Plata High School, is a heartwarming yet humorous reflection on the journey of high school graduates. With a touch of nostalgia, he recalls significant events from freshman year, including personal experiences and social happenings that shaped their high school lives. This speech not only celebrates the accomplishments of his classmates but also emphasizes resilience in the face of challenges. Listening to such speeches provides an excellent opportunity for learners to improve their English speaking and comprehension skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “We made it” – A phrase that symbolizes achievement and perseverance.
  • “Think about how far we have come” – Encouraging reflection on personal growth and progress.
  • “Things might not always go the way you planned” – A reminder to adapt and remain resilient in life.
  • “You are all destined for greatness” – An uplifting phrase to motivate others to reach their potential.
  • “Follow your dreams” – Encouraging individuals to pursue what makes them happy and fulfilled.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

If you aim to improve your English pronunciation and fluency through the shadowing technique, follow this simple guide using Ryan's speech:

  1. Watch the Video: First, watch the speech to get a sense of the context, tone, and emotions expressed by the speaker. This will help you understand the flow of language and pronunciation.
  2. Listen and Repeat: Start the video again, pausing after each sentence or phrase. Repeat what Ryan says immediately after him. Focus on mimicking his rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation.
  3. Analyze New Phrases: Take note of the five phrases listed above. Practice them in various contexts, creating your own sentences to help reinforce your understanding and usage.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your phone to record your speech as you shadow. Playing it back can help you identify areas for improvement in your pronunciation and fluency.
  5. Practice Regularly: To effectively learn English with YouTube, make it a habit to engage with similar speeches and practice consistently. This will boost your confidence and refine your speaking skills over time.

Employing these strategies will facilitate significant progress in your English speaking practice while enjoying engaging and meaningful content like this graduation speech. Remember, improvement comes with practice, so keep shadowing and speaking!

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.