High School Valedictorian Gives Speech in Spanish & Makes His Parents Proud

Maybe the intention isn't making it through to some of the readers. As someone who comes from one of the most diverse cities in the country, and who has friends whose parents do not speak or completely follow English, I can understand where the speaker was coming from. By definition, the valedictorian of a school is the one who made the biggest academic achievement. His parents were the ones who followed, helped, and vouched for him every step of the way. The speech he was given a chance to give was a celebration of that. His method I think, was incredibly refreshing, given the alternative speech where only inside jokes are given or the all-too-common "the world is your oyster, go out and shuck it!" speech. Honestly, graduations aren't just the celebration of students like most would like you to believe; those parents who stood by you and dealt with your craziness (thanks mom) also are supposed to be celebrated. If this was the way he wanted to show he appreciated his parents, who probably were just barely entertained by the other speeches and warmed by his, let it be. Native English Speakers had the rest of the ceremony, and let's be honest, they probably only came for the diploma and the nice meal afterwards. I think it was a nice gesture. He started the speech off with an apology to non-Spanish speakers for it being in Spanish (an english translation is provided through the link)

It would have been nice if a couple of lines were in Spanish, but it's COMPLETELY disrespectful to have the entire thing in Spanish. That was incredibly rude!! His parents aren't the only ones at this graduation. And we speak English in America. It really pisses me off how some people, not all of them, but some expect the rest of the country to learn Spanish to accommodate them rather than learning the language of the country they're moving to. So now it's required to learn Spanish in schools because some people don't feel they have to learn English? When did the Italians, or the Germans, or the Irish, or the Chinese, or any other group of immigrants that speak a language that's not English, demand that the country learn THEIR language instead of learning the language of the country?? Oh that's right, NEVER. It's only Spanish being forced upon us. It's nothing against anyone who speaks Spanish, but if you move to a different country, you need to learn the language of that country. End of story.

@Delia- Native English speakers only come for the diploma and the nice meal? So for some reason people who aren't native English speakers care more about their child's graduation than someone who is a native English speaker? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? Just because this one kid's parents can't speak English doesn't give him the right to ruin that part of the ceremony for every other classmate and family member there. It would have been one thing if he would've said a couple of things to his parents in Spanish, and then continued in English for THE REST OF THE GRADUATING CLASS, but if he wanted to give his parents a whole speech he could have done that in private. A graduation is about the students, ALL of the students, not ONE set of parents.

I think it's great that he did it in Spanish. If the inserts had the speech translated in english people can read it there.

No. He wasn't giving a speech to his parents, he was giving a speech to a large group of his peers who couldn't understand the farewell speech for their class. It was rude. Speech in English, maybe a small part in Spanish to honor his parents.

@Sadie I wouldn't insult native English Speakers, as I am one, and come from a proud southern family who has been in this country a long, long time. On the other hand, because I am the (high school salutorian) daughter of a single disabled mother, I can say first hand that although graduations are nice, it isn't about the ceremony or speeches as much as it is about the actual work that a child has put in and the point they've gotten to. If I spoke at my graduation (I turned down the opportunity), I'd want to take the opportunity to thank my mother because I know that the ceremony is just that; a ceremony. In a week, no one would remember what I'd said, only that it was sweet that I dedicated it to my mom. If it were in Spanish (which I, unfortunately, don't know a lick of; I took French and Japanese), I would hope people would remember that this isn't their moment, it's mine and I wanted to share it with her. I do wonder, however, how newsworthy of a story this would've been if it were a dedication entirely in English. How many people would be angry then?

Let me add, usually speeches are geared to one group of a crowd at these things anyway. At my High School graduation, there was a speech from an alum who spoke mostly to the students, an administrator who spoke mostly to parents, and a student who just kind of went on and on about her plans and had a few lines wishing everyone luck. The only part of the ceremony geared toward everyone was the giving of diplomas. This part was probably in Spanish to make a point to those who could understand. It would be nice of the administration to let their be a translation, but he offered that (which is considerate) and they refused. Even if time was of essence, there are visual translation devices. Or is that discriminatory to those who can't read? The speech was meant to be in Spanish from the beginning, and if you read the translation you'll get what the deeper meaning of this was. Of course, most won't. A good amount of people probably pass through without realizing the translation is available and take the headline as it is.

God forbid the parents who bring their children here for free education, free healthcare and who knows what else could be bothered to learn the language.  We pour millions and millions of dollars into our schools for ESL programs, can't the kids encourage the parents to learn too.  So maybe they can actually get decent jobs and contribute to the economy instead of just taking from it?  I would be so pissed as a student or parent I would have walked out.  

I love the comment "why doesnt his parents understand English yet?".... because the "English" speaker who wrote that doesn't even speak his own language well!