1ºI just watched the graduation video.
Paxton Smith did a great disservice to her fellow graduating student body. The purpose of a valedictorian speech is to reminesce and to encourage students, challenging them to live their best future. It was not intended for a self indulgent rant about a cause that she holds close. How selfish. She made that clear, repeatedly using "me" instead of "our." She spoke of her fear about an unwanted pregnancy ruining her life, acting like pregnancy resulting from rape is a common occurrence. In reality, the chance is documented at 1-5%, depending on the source referenced. She made it clear that an unwanted pregnancy, ie, human life, is not to be respected. Paxton, I challenge you to think outside your bubble. There are many in the world (I'm pretty certain many in your graduating class), that do not share your stand on abortion. Take responsibility for your actions and abstain from sex-an almost certain way of preventing pregnancy.
2ºBeing valedictorian is both an honor and a responsibility. Being voted valedictorian means that fellow students have chosen you to be their voice at graduation, that is an honor. The responsibility is to represent all graduating students during their convocation in reflecting on their years at high school, their dreams , their ambitions. While I don’t disagree with this young woman’s point of view, this is not the right the right forum for this speech. She has done her fellow graduates a disservice by making her valedictorian speech about her moral and political views and this totally overshadows what the commencement speech should be about - reflection on their years at school, their hopes, their dreams, their successes.