JEFF CAPLAN'S MY MINUTE OF NEWS
Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: The Graduation Speech of the year
May 23, 2024, 6:00 AM
High School graduation is underway across the state. Utah typically falls in the upper 80% for graduation rate. Photo: Canva
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — In a spring full of controversial graduation speeches, none stands out more than the words of high school Valedictorian in Texas. His name is Alem Hadzic. He’s 18 years old, and at his Texas high school, he stood up on the podium and shared a family secret.
“My father died yesterday, May 15th, 2024,” Hadzic confessed in his speech. “And I attended his funeral today, right before graduation.”
“That’s why my shoes are muddy,” he continued. “That’s why my arms are shaking. Because I had to carry him to his grave and bury him.”
There were gasps and audience members were openly weeping.
Alem’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January. He died the day before graduation. So his shoes muddy, arms shaking, the young man held it together to make a promise and honor his dad — an immigrant who valued nothing more than education and hard work.
“And that’s why I’m gonna go to college and I’m gonna spend every hour of every day working as hard as I can to achieve all of my goals because that’s what he wanted.”
He implored his fellow graduates to do the same and honor their families.
The audience cheered Alem and they cried, and they lifted him up.
Alem Hadzic. Valedictorian at Early College High School. Class of 24.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
