Appalled

18-year-old Jem Lugo recently graduated from Springstead High School with a 3.98 GPA and will be attending Harvard in the fall. She is also the valedictorian of her class so delivered a speech at graduation. However, she did not get to deliver the speech she wanted to. When she submitted her original draft to Principal Susan Duval, she was told to "start over" and the senior class sponsor was “appalled” at the speech.

What was so appalling? What did she say?  A few examples:

"We survived 13 grueling years of school, all for this moment, where we get to wear gowns that kind of remind me of a silk version of a Snuggie, and these hats that make every single one of us look absolutely ridiculous. Hate to break it to you, but no one looks good in these hats. Even you, Ben Noury."

"First off, get money. You can't do anything without money. Do something with your life where you're able to have a steady, reliable, source of income. Gamers, I'm sorry, but farming for gold in World of Warcraft is not considered a RELIABLE, or socially-acceptable source of income."

"But, the most important thing that I can tell you tonight is to remember where you came from. You were an eagle once. We've been through four long years here. Some of us have loved it, some of us have hated it, but we all had to endure it, and for all of us, it's finally over. What's Springstead going to be like without us?"

Principal Duval, who has been fined for plagiarizing graduation speeches that she made, said the speech was too real. She said she understood Lugo's aim for originality but warned the speech might offend some.

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