Valedictorian Address at Anacostia High School

Valedictorian Address at Anacostia High School

Lesson Standards

• 10.1(A)
• 10.1(D)
• 10.2(B)
• 10.3
• 10.4(E)
• 10.4(F)
• 10.4(G)
• 10.4(H)
• 10.4(I)
• 10.5(A)
• 10.5(C)
• 10.5(D)
• 10.5(E)
• 10.5(G)
• 10.5(H)
• 10.5(I)
• 10.8(A)
• 10.9(B)(i)
• 10.10(C)
• 10.10(D) 10.11(F)

Lesson Specifics

What will our learning look like today?

Learning Objective

Success Criteria

Language Objective

Learning Intention

• Identify key rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques in a valedictorian address.
• Explain the impact of these techniques on the audience.
• Discuss the role and significance of the valedictorian address at a graduation ceremony.

I will discuss and present my analysis using appropriate academic language, including vocabulary related to rhetoric and persuasive techniques.

Today, we will examine a valedictorian address given at Anacostia High School. We will explore the speech's persuasive techniques, its impact on the audience, and the role of a valedictorian address in a graduation ceremony.

After reading “Valedictorian Address at Anacostia High School” students will demonstrate their understanding of how to make connections to their own personal experiences by composing a letter to someone who has had an impact on their life.

Warm Up

• What is a valedictorian?
• Why is their graduation speech important?

Introduction

Rashema Melson lived in a homeless shelter for three years prior to graduating as her high school’s valedictorian and being admitted to Georgetown University with a full four-year scholarship. Melson left Georgetown after two years because she didn’t feel like she belonged. In an interview with journalist Anna Sale, she described a feeling of pressure to succeed for fear of disappointing those who believed in her. She also had a hard time being known as the “homeless valedictorian” and felt uneasy when strangers asked her about it. Melson returned to Georgetown and was a junior in 2018. Her return to Georgetown was inspired by her realization that the attention she garnered—despite making her afraid of failing— was actually a reminder of her support system. She told Sale on a phone call, “Why run away from what I’m destined to do just because people are showing me that they’re on my side?

Introduction

Graduating first in her class from Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.—while living at a homeless shelter—Rashema Melson defied the odds and became an inspiration for many. Despite her difficult living situation, Melson was determined to prioritize her education; she would work long days attending classes, studying, and even participating in sports after school, spending more than 12 hours at school each day before returning to the shelter to be with her mother and siblings. In her 2014 valedictory speech, Melson reveals the life lessons she learned throughout her journey as well as the people who have played a significant role in her success story. Watch StudySync Video

Video Response

• What information does the video provide that the introduction does not?
• What qualities make someone a positive influence in your life?

As we read

• Think of a time in your life when you have doubted your accomplishments or abilities.
• Did you have a support system or safety net in place?
• How did you manage or cope with that experience?
• What advice would you give to someone who is experiencing self-doubt?

Vocabulary

Resilient

Commencement

Perserverence

Remiss

Deter

tending to bounce back or restore onself quickly after experienceing misfortune.

a ceremony in which students receive their diplomas

the act of continuing to do something even though it is difficult

without care or attention

to prevent from happening

Welcome to Anacostia’s Class of 2014 commencement exercises. The two years I have spent at Anacostia have been wonderful, and I could not have asked for a better experience. I have been taken care of by the best principal, teachers, and coaches in the city. These educators actually care about our wellbeing: it is not just a paycheck to them. I feel as if I have walked into the arms of a second family. They are a security blanket that covers us wherever we are. During my journey, I have made wonderful friends, sweated, cried, succeeded on the court and track and in the classroom. I have to shout out my family for always supporting me and being by my side. I have to shout out my school for always being available and helping me when I was in a jam. Also, for pushing me when I felt as if I was about to give up. My amazing track coach, Ms. Perry, was like a mother, sister, and best friend to me at the same time. She has always been someone who I could come to for whatever and whenever—no matter the time of day—and when I needed an ear for my problems and advice, as well. I love her so much. She is definitely a life-changer. Mrs. Sugarman, my wonderful counselor who not only told me to follow my heart but helped me to as well. I adore her. Mr. Smith, Anacostia’s excellent D.C. CAP advisor, who helped me get through the tough, frustrating college process without a problem. Without him, I probably would not have even applied and made it through, especially the financial aid portions. I would also like to thank Mr. Debon, Coach June, Coach Crows, Ms. Freeman, Coach Shackleford, Coach Thomas, Mr. Mooner, and Ms. Witherspoon, who have supported me every step of the way. And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of the community partners and [inaudible] supporters I have gained over the past month.

Throughout my journey here, I have learned that time doesn’t wait, pity, or adjust for or to anyone, and life is not fair. Life is not fair. But despite that harsh reality, you must keep striving for success through the pain, tears, and feeling of lost hope. People say life is short; live it up. I say life is endless; turn up, earn it up, but don’t burn it up. Your life decisions lead you to where you end up. For the longest, I was in the struggle, trying my best, but started to think that it would never be over. I started to give up. But then, God gave me a sign that He wasn’t putting me through this to punish me, but to show others how to be resilient and persistent in the goals of life. I see a promising future ahead, and I didn’t do it all alone. I had gracious help for which I will be forever grateful. Before I receive my diploma and head on to Georgetown, I just wanted to leave you all with a piece of advice. Class of 2014, always be who you truly are inside. Never be afraid to go after your dreams. And regardless of the negative forecast that has been predicted upon us, beat the odds, and let the sun shine. The future lies within reach of our hands, and if we keep striving and don’t let anyone knock us off our path, or deter us from our goals, we can do anything we put our mind to. No matter what. Resilience, perseverance, discipline, determination, and dedication is the key to your success. Each step we take is paved with possibilities. Now, go unlock the doors to your future.

Comprehension Questions

You will answer the following questions in a separate Google Classroom Doc.

• What specific advice does Melson give to the Class of 2014? What practical steps could classmates take in order to follow these recommendations? Use examples from the text to support your response.
• What is most closely the meaning of resilient as it is used in paragraph 6? Write your best definition of resilient here, explaining how you used context clues to determine the meaning of the word.

• What does Melson mean when she says “it is not just a paycheck” for her principal, teachers and coaches? Give specific examples of ways her teachers and coaches have acted in the past that would support this statement.
• Why does Melson refer to her experience as a “journey?” In what ways was her experience similar to (or different than) a journey? Explain where she had been “traveling” to, how she planned to get there, and when she finally arrived at her destination.