Valedictorian Speech - Nataline

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen! You all look smart and very intelligent from where I am standing. I thank God for giving us life this day and allowing us to be partakers of it. Indeed, it is such an honor to be accorded this opportunity to represent the class of 2017 graduates from Hope School of Leadership.

I want to thank my family for being a strong support system, my friends for cheering me on and the Hope school of leadership faculty for always being consistent in following us up, offering guidance and their full support. This has been a journey and you people have made the process worthwhile and our destination closer. 
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Hope School of Leadership is a good place to be and it gave us a golden opportunity. Getting to study a Diploma course for free is unheard of, the very useful resources and content we received through out our course work and the wealth of information that was at our disposal is indeed commendable. 

As I took up this course I was already a leader, but what was my biggest ‘WHY’ to committing to this Diploma course? It was not an easy question to answer. I do not know how many of you here graduating today asked yourself this very same question.The answer to ‘WHY’ has to do with purpose and understanding.

I believe each one of us here got some valuable life lessons as they sought to find an answer in the process of their journey. The course work we went through encourages introspection. The ability to look into one’s self to analyze and recognize both strengths and weaknesses. Self -observation, self - examination and self - reflection. We then understand why leadership cannot be given, it must be earned and it cannot be taken away, you lose it by lack of performance.

We have everything it takes for us to perform. We have built our self confidence, learnt valuable skills, we know what is required of us as servant leaders, and we already have a support network made of all graduates here today. Indeed we have been empowered to succeed and information brings obligation. 

We have a mandate to undertake as leaders. To ourselves, to the people we lead and to God. In the world we live in today the demand for great leadership is at an all-time high. Leaders who will lead in wisdom and who have the spirit of God in them. All across the world, in business, academics and government, people want leaders that can be trusted, relied upon and that have a genuine commitment to help solve the pressing problems.We are the leaders of today and we should acknowledge that we are the solution that the world desperately needs.

We have made it this far and it is my prayer that we shall be salt and light in this earth and that years to come we shall know you with the fruits that you will have bore for the honour and Glory of God . Let us be the example and people of integrity in all we do.

In closing, an unknown author said good leaders are memorable and excellent leaders are unforgettable. Do you want to be good or best? 

Congratulations class of 2017 and thank you very much!!