Valedictorian's graduation speech cut off after he criticizes school's administration 

The administration proved him correct instantly.

"The authoritative attitude prevents students from developing as leaders" *cuts mic to completely prove his point

*"The attempt to silence a man is the greatest honor you can bestow on him. It means that you recognize his superiority to yourself."* -- _Joseph Sobran_

“When you tear out a mans tongue, you are not proving him a liar. You are only showing the world that you fear what he might say”

It's sad when the student is the smartest one on stage...

As a current senior hs student about to graduate in about two weeks, its crazy how freedom of speech is SO valued in America until you step foot into an educational institution.

Calls people with power "authoritarian"...those people immediately prove him correct.

I can't help but relate to this really hard. This is exactly how it feels like at my school, with leadership doing nothing but planning parties and events and essentially acting as labor.

Wow what a brave and honest student. Say hello to the future. If school districts like his refuse to address this issue, more people like him will rise. AMAZING JOB

Hell yes for him, and his fellow students in the audience supporting him!

Silencing a man for speaking truth does not make him a liar, it only makes you a coward.

Student government is a bit like normal government isn't it?

As a member of Student Council, I agree with his sentiments. We have not done a single thing in my 2 years of student government (and that's counting before COVID-19). We put on an awesome fundraiser to help a girl with cancer, and then took off the rest of the year to "plan" prom, even thought prom is usually on the hands of the actual location hosting the event. High school student council has got to be one of the most pointless positions in the world... and if you're not the president (which I'm not) then you are essentially dirt

Proves once again; those in power and authority can't handle the truth. God forbid; someone points out their need for improvement. Hurts their tremendous ego. On the bright side; I like this kid. Excellent job and how wonderful he was able to complete his speech on Jimmy Kimmel Live for the entire nation.

"Hopefully, things will change!..." **Is cut off** Nevermind, then! Authoritarians must be fought actively everywhere.

The staff instantly proved his point.

Taking away his right of free speech and expressing opinions smh. If they take him off stage within a minute it clearly shows he's the one who's right.

I love how the students rise up and cheer despite him being cut off, they stand alongside the one who is prevented speech

Just a prime example of why the public educational system was created. Which is of course, to manufacture individuals who are obedient, closed-minded, and predictable. Hopefully, one day this "schooling" will be abolished forever. -High School Grad of 2017

This guy will go down in history as a legend

The most stupid thing to do as an administration is someone to stop talking his freedom of speech. The administration proved him correct.

"student council's main obligation is to paint signs" could not be more true

Equivalent of telling someone they have anger issues and their response is to break all the furniture in the room while claiming that they don’t.

Most valedictorian speeches have to be approved. Soon as you go off script you run this risk.

Would have loved it if he just pulled out a giant megaphone 📢 and says “anyway before I was *rudely interrupted* “

Administration: he knows to much...take him down. Student: you just proved my point.

He doesn’t need to finish the speech, the message has been received anyway.

They just prepped this class for the real world in this moment.

A textbook example of why silencing someone isn't the best solution. Had he not been cut off, the people in attendance would've forgotten about it the next day. But because they cut him off, this made national news.

It's instruction, not education.

Cutting off the mic proves that he’s correct, as they were scared of the students hearing more.

And he still walked off with respect and dignity.

The student speaks out....THAT'S GOOD !!! I feel sorry for their generation. We never had such challenges in the 70s

Freedom of speech? Maybe the professors and administrative people there doesn't get the irony

To the guy who agreed with him and shouted "Hopefully" back at him. Yes! Unite!!

All they did was show that he was telling the absolute truth. What cowardly behavior.

I go to this school 😂

He didn’t even give that bad of a criticism. Damn.

I love how they proved him right.

We need more people like him.

Greatest thing I have ever seen

Can you Imagine all the parents in the audience regretting sending their kids to that school?

Are they clapping because they think his speech was good or because they cut him off?

these people are unbelievable.

“Allow us to prove the class president correct.”

This is crazy!

Ahhh! He must have struck a nerve. Congratulations, school administrators for proving who you are, Shame on you.

Respect to this kid for keeping his cool in such a crazy moment!

Bang goes FREE SPEECH in AMERICA

I certainly would not want to be the one to speak after that young man got sent away.

I say all the power to him. I mean although he kinda bashed his school and graduation may not have been the right time to say what he said, at the end of the day he didn't say anything threatening he didn't use any sort of fowl language or did he use any derogatory words. He kept it clean but he also said what he wanted to say. Now if he was threatening the administration and staff or he was cursing and using fowl language then yes that's wrong. But everybody has an opinion and just because you went to a certain school doesn't mean you agree with everything they did or even liked it at all. To some people graduation is sad it's an ending it's bitter sweet. But to others they look forward to graduation because they no longer have to deal with the bull shit they had to put up with when they where in school and graduation is the perfect opportunity to say screw you and not have to worry about getting expelled suspended or detention. I've heard stories of graduates flipping the bird so to speak after they give a speech or walk off stage after getting their diploma. So he could have gone the other way and acted completely rebellious and vulgar. But he decided to keep it clean.

These graduates are Not children. If treated with disrespect, they will do the same. I understand the admin's wish for a positive speech, but I think the young man had probably already exhausted attempts to have a better relationship with the teachers and admin and it failed. So h e took action, a speech that just might highlight the problems and help the next student body and government be heard and worked with. I'd love to know what this young person does in their life. I bet it's stellar.

You could tell he was nervous af for what he was about to say.

You just completely solidified his opinion of you in concrete. Good job.

I hope the administration reads these comments

0:38 you can see the (principal or teacher?) at the right say "cut it off"

I never criticize people during meetings because then you usually volunteer for more work.

This kid is a legend.

its free speech until you say something they dont like

That's a weak school with a strong Valedictorian leader.

Heroes get remembered, legends never die. This man is both

right on, young man

Madlad got a standing ovation

At 32 seconds the dude on the right knew he was going to shut it off

their hand was on the button

0:47 to 0:50 r.i.p.

The guy next to him looked like he sensed what he was going to say.

The authorities be Salty af 🤣🤣🤣

Cant wait for the backlash. Its a brewing

And this was 6 years ago. I hope times have changed.

In the case, the remaining graduates should've just got up and walked away. 'Walking the stage' probably would've been more for the school's achievements rather than the students'.

He's got some real courage ....it takes guts to openly critique an oppressive system

I feel like he should not have been cut off. The administration is kind of messed up, and he actually had the guts to say it.

authoritarian style administration was a problem at my school as well, there's no understanding of making a function school, only understanding of controlling the students. this video makes me wonder if this is a nation wide problem amongst school districts.

They violated his rights!! I'd take this to court for violation of freedom of speech

Love this guy!!! Let him talk!!!!! Disgusting how they shut him off🤬🤬🤬

Should have hidden a megaphone under that graduation gown. Either way, well done, dude.

Why does he look like he’s about to say “28 STAB WOUNDS”

that little nod he did. everyone knew those teachers proved his point

That guy on his left knows something is up

At least maybe listen to the feedback? Are they just that strict about what you say? Like, is everyone forced to say good things about the school district area? This is just messed up, and you can't just unfairly cut off his speech. They should've listened, and take action to improve the school. Instead, they went "It's fine, he's only a high schooler after all", yeah same time you guys are trying to stop us from being depressed that we aren't smart.

The teacher were like: Im NoT HaViNg ThIS

Speak a little truth and people lose their minds.

what happened with the first amendment?

They had the chance to show he was wrong. They blew that chance.

This has only gotten a lot worse!!!

(From Dead Poets Society-of course!) John Keating: I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself. Mr. Nolan: At these boys' age? Not on your life!

Good for you, kid! You've got successful stamped right across your forehead!

Freedom of speech only matters if you are prepared to defend content that you dont agree with.

If you need to scilence someone speaking against you, you know he's correct

There's a reason people who have had a history of a 2.9 GPA tend to be more successful and rich in the entrepreneurship branch than those who have decided to go so far gone into the education system.

Isn't that a tale as old as time? The valedictorian, armed with a speech that could ruffle a few feathers, steps up to the podium, ready to drop some truth bombs. But lo and behold, as soon as the critique hits too close to home for the administration, snip goes the microphone! It's like a scene straight out of a high school drama... oh wait, it actually is! The poor valedictorian, probably rehearsing that speech for weeks, only to have it cut short like an unsatisfying series finale. Talk about leaving us on a cliffhanger! But fear not, brave valedictorian, your message was heard loud and clear. Sometimes the truth is just too spicy for certain ears, especially those in charge. Here's hoping your words echo in the halls long after that microphone mishap. Cue dramatic exit, stage left. 🎤✂💥

My school is actually within 30 minutes of this one, and honestly I’m thinking about doing this because our student government is useless

Scripture tells us that the tongue can be as sharp as a double edge sword. These guys just couldn’t take the slashes of truth from this student

1984

They should have just all thrown thier caps in the air at that moment and called it a day..

June 2023, his statement made history!

He didn't even have a chance to call out specific people or policies. They took him down for even being vague about it. Wow

I can’t tell if the people were clapping for his speech or to get of the stage

You can say whatever you want, as long as we approve