Principal Crumples Valedictorian's Speech About Mental Health, So He Does It From Memory [View all]

[KG]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/principal-crumples-valedictorian-speech-mental-125151755.html

Scary Mommy

Kristine Cannon
Fri, June 25, 2021, 8:51 AM
“After I came out as queer freshman year, I felt so alone. I didn’t know who to turn to,” the student said before his mic was cut off
In New Jersey last Thursday, Bryce Dershem stood behind the podium to address Eastern Regional High School’s graduation class and their respective families. And although the valedictorian didn’t make it one minute into his graduation speech before his mic was cut off and the principal of the school walked away with the graduating senior’s speech, Dershem did the incredible: He delivered the powerful speech about coming out, his LGBTQ identity, and mental health — from memory

Dershem began his speech confidently, congratulating his fellow classmates and thanking friends, families, and the community for helping make their accomplishments possible. But 45 seconds into Dershem’s speech, his mic was abruptly muted. The school would later claim it was a “technical difficulty.”

“After I came out as queer freshman year, I felt so alone. I didn’t know who to turn to,” Dershem said before getting cut off. At this moment, Principal Robert Tull walked up, removed the mic, crumpled the student’s speech and walked off with Dershem’s speech in hand....