In a recent graduation ceremony at Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey, valedictorian Jamie Rivers found himself in a challenging situation when his microphone was abruptly cut off while addressing his classmates and their families. Despite this setback, Rivers showcased remarkable resilience by delivering a heartfelt speech about his LGBTQ identity and mental health from memory.
“After coming out as queer in my freshman year, I felt incredibly isolated,” Rivers began, before the mic was silenced. Principal Mark Jennings then walked up, confiscating the speech and effectively dismissing Rivers’s message. “He insisted I stick to the speech he had written for me, disregarding my own words,” Rivers explained.
Undeterred, Rivers seized another microphone and continued his address. “As I was saying,” he began again, earning cheers from the audience. “High school is often marketed as a time for self-discovery, yet many of us struggle to know where to start.”
“After coming out, I felt so alone. I didn’t know where to turn for support, guidance, or even comfort. Though my friends and family believed in me, I had to embrace my true self unapologetically. We all need to do that. But first, we must ensure we’re mentally okay to embark on this journey of self-discovery.”
Despite the school’s attempts to censor his message, Rivers continued to speak on the importance of mental health and self-acceptance. He shared that during the speech editing process, school officials pressured him to eliminate all references to his queerness and experiences with therapy, insisting that graduation was “not his therapy session.”
In addition to the speech censorship, the school administration requested Rivers remove a Pride flag he had draped over his gown. However, he chose to keep it on, declaring, “Part of our identity and our struggle is 2021. We made it through together.”
“Believe in yourself, Class of 2021,” Rivers concluded, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd. “Everyone here is enough, and you all have the power to change the world. Thank you and congratulations.”
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In summary, valedictorian Jamie Rivers faced an unexpected challenge during his graduation speech when his mic was cut off, but he persevered by delivering a powerful message about his LGBTQ identity and mental health from memory. Despite attempts by school officials to censor his speech, Rivers remained true to himself, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and mental well-being.