Graduation Speech : Playing Violin

University of Michigan

I have a passion for each of the activities that I have listed. However, if I could only continue with one of the activities it would be playing violin in my school orchestra. This is because music allows me to be creative in an otherwise pragmatic world. By playing music, I can create something new and beautiful through my own ability. Additionally, I enjoy continuously improving my instrumental skills. This is because the satisfaction of perfecting a piece of music after practicing and refining my playing is matched by none of my other activities. For this reason, I would continue to participate in the orchestra. (102)

There have been several communities that I have been a part of over the course of my life, but none have impacted me more than the Boy Scouts of America. When I first began this program, I was mostly interested in the fun activities that my troop offered such as camping, woodworking, and firearms shooting. However, I began to learn some very important skills from my scout experience. I was taught how to be both a good citizen and a leader by assigning positions to me starting with small responsibilities to larger positions such as patrol leader, which managed campouts, merit badges, and other events in the troop. By taking on these roles, I was able to practice my leadership skills by helping others and leading by example.

Eventually, I applied my skills and attempted to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank. By creating first aid kits for a local food pantry, I was able to achieve this goal. However, it was the previous years of effort and participation that truly made me successful.

The aspect of the community that affected me the most would be the adult leader...

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... From this, I can surely know that I will receive an excellent education that will aid me in life. In addition, Michigan has a well-known network of alumni and is recognized by most employers. This will allow me to almost certainly find a job after I graduate and enter the workforce. Overall, the school’s reputation for excellence precedes it.

Overall, the diverse study areas and the chance to explore different career options, paired with the strong general curriculum and the education quality makes the School of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan my ideal college. Though I am only a high school student at the moment, I have many aspirations for the future, including owning my own business and attending a graduate school. The skills and experience that I gain at the University of Michigan will make these dreams possible to achieve. (491)