Eighth Grade Speeches: An Opportunity for Self-Reflection

Considered the pinnacle of The Peck School eighth-grade experience is undoubtedly the long-awaited Eighth-Grade Speech. The opportunities to practice and refine public speaking skills are at the heart of the Peck experience, starting as soon as students enter kindergarten. 

Peck’s oldest students build upon years of public speaking experience and formal training in sixth grade to craft a compelling final narrative to share with their classmates prior to graduation. Eighth grade speeches vary on subject matter, depending on what is meaningful to the individual student. Whether speaking passionately about their experiences at Peck, beloved family pets, long lost relatives, or the bonds of family and friendships that cement and ground them as people, our student’s eighth-grade speeches are awe-inspiring.

This year’s Student Council President Sailee Shah ’24 opened the school year’s first All-School Assembly with her speech. She acknowledged the emotions that her fellow classmates might be feeling, especially for those who were just beginning their journeys at Peck. “I remember my first day here at The Peck School. I was nervous and shy, but the Peck community has given me the opportunity to be myself, and I have learned that being myself is a really good thing.”

Our students are given various platforms to deliver their speeches: in front of their middle school peers at an Upper School Assembly, or bravely in front of the entire student body, staff, and parent guests at an All-School Assembly. At Peck’s recent Honor Code Assembly, Heidi Lüer ’24 spoke about the lessons she has learned after playing soccer for many years.

“My soccer team has gone through ups and downs, but I wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t a part of my life. The honor I felt while playing is one of the reasons I will always cherish the memories that I made.”