The way I see it, if my kid was graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, I'd be so deliriously happy and proud I wouldn't care what kind of a commencement address he gave. Shoot, he could get up there and sing Old McDonald Had a Farm -- he's valedictorian, woo-hoo! That's my boy! But I have to admit, the speech Orestimba High School valedictorian Saul Tello, Jr. gave at his graduation does kind of tug at the maternal heart strings.
It wasn't the content of the speech so much as the way he chose to deliver it: In Spanish, to honor his Spanish-speaking parents. Awww.
Of course, not everybody in the audience understood Spanish, which led to a bit of a problem.
More from The Stir: 'You Are Not Special' Graduation Speech Is One Every Kid Needs to Hear (VIDEO)
Now, on the one hand, I get why non-Spanish-speaking audience members were upset -- it would kind of stink to not understand a word of the speech at your kid's graduation. But here's the thing: Originally, Saul Tello wanted to give the speech in both English and Spanish, but his principal, Jessie Ceja, told him there wouldn't be enough time. So Tello chose Spanish, for his parents' sake.
As a mom, I find that incredibly sweet. Plus, bear in mind that the population of California is 38% Latino. I'm sure his gesture was widely appreciated.
Apparently the school is planning to include inserts printed with both Spanish and English versions of the speech in future graduation programs, which seems like an excellent solution to me. Good luck, Saul!
Do you think giving his commencement address in Spanish was the right thing for this valedictorian to do?
Image via Dave Herholz/Flickr
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
Comments 80
TY My6rock. I never claimed to be perfect. All I asked was a question. I never claimed that the parents needed to speak English either.
Okay then, if everyone is going to knit pick, why is this a story then? Why is English the language that's spoken in the most important places? I won't waste my breath and Cee, you're a racist pig. How in the world do you know if we're white OR fat?
My6rock, how would you like to sit through one of your child's graduation if it was all spoken in French? Or German? That would be very disappointing as a parent when his parents can speak English. Part of it would have been fine but not the whole thing.
Why should it be up to the school to accommodate everyone else? I always thought the majority ruled. Or is that wrong too? This is a public school in America where we speak English.
absolutely fucking rididculous
I personally think that it was very inconsiderate ofhim to say his speech in spanish. I could see if at the end he thanked his parents in their language but not do the whole speech that way.