Matt Lipscomb, 17

Matt is a state forensics champion who originally wrote a speech about superheroes. At the last minute, he wrote a new speech about the lessons that Salem High geometry teacher George May left behind when he died last year.

Speech coach Mark Ingerson warned Matt the judges might think the speech was risky and raw. But on audition day, he ranked first among the judges.

"When Mr. George May passed away last November, Salem High School lost one of its most beloved teachers. No angle seemed to add up right. Aside from geometry, Mr. May taught the principles of a fulfilling life: to smile in the face of adversity, to always cherish the smaller things in life, and to show love through selfless deeds."

Watch a video of Matt Lipscomb in action

Matt Constantin, 18

Wearing a yellow "Livestrong" bracelet, Matt wrote a speech about survival. His speech centered around the story of Aron Ralston — an injured hiker who amputated his own hand in 2003 to survive.

"We must accept our situation for what it is and not spend time in disbelief, anger and aggravation because it only wastes valuable energy," he speech reads. "Ralston could have easily spent his time upset at himself … but he didn’t. He only looked forward not backward. Ralston quickly understood his situation and accepted it for what it was. Accepting reality is often difficult … but it must be done quickly in an effort to overcome our obstacles."

Rachel Gresham, 18

This future college architecture major explained that the personalities of high school resemble houses and neighborhoods. The principal’s house, she noted, would be marked by a "tall, wrought-iron fence with spikes on top and a sign, ‘Beware of Principal.’ " But she noted their principal would also be the type of neighbor who uses his wisdom to keep others safe.

"Today is the day we get to move in and take ownership of the houses we’ve been building all these years," she said.

Nitya Reddy, 18

Her speech, titled "A Day at the Zoo," explained some of the similarities between wildlife and high school.

"From busy bees and sleepy sloths, a day at high school is similar to a day at the zoo." After high school, her speech explains, there’s "a new jungle to be discovered."

Amy Sailer, 18

When Amy tried out for Salem High’s speech team as a freshman, she barely made coach Mark Ingerson’s cut. But then, Ingerson discovered she could write. Her sophomore year, she placed third in the state in oratory, and was a state champion in the speech-writing category her junior and senior years. Her speech, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned at Salem High School," explained high school is like the digestive system — teens arrive one way and leave another.

"And yes," her speech explains, "I am comparing us to feces."

Amy was chosen as an alternate speaker for today’s graduation.

Scott Bradford, 18

Scott’s speech examined the definition of character, explaining how the word’s three syllables "care," "act," and "er" (as in urge) relate to high schoolers entering the world.

"Character," his speech reads. "A very simple-sounding word with a not-so-simple meaning."

Leanna Minix, 17

In her speech, Leanna compared high school to Crayolas:

"We are a box of crayons, each of us unique, but when they get together, the picture is complete … together, we have colored the last four years. … Now, we face the colors of our future."