Real-life examples of graduation speech examples for a friend

Short, punchy example of a graduation speech for a friend

Sometimes you only get a couple of minutes at the mic. This first piece is an example of a short, simple graduation speech for a friend that still feels personal.

Short example (about 2 minutes)
“Good evening everyone—family, friends, teachers, and the people who just came for the snacks. My name is Jordan, and I have the honor of talking about my best friend, Sam.

Sam and I met on the first day of freshman year when we both got lost trying to find the same classroom. We were sweaty, late, and absolutely convinced we were failing at life. Somehow, that disaster turned into four years of shared notes, late‑night study sessions, and laughing way too hard in the library.

What I admire most about Sam isn’t the grades or the awards. It’s the way they show up—for friends, for family, and for themselves. When I wanted to quit, Sam was the one who said, ‘You’ve got this. We’ve come too far to stop now.’

Today, we’re graduating. Tomorrow, we’ll be figuring out what comes next. But whatever happens, I know one thing: the world is better because Sam is in it.

Congratulations, Sam. Congratulations to the Class of 2025. We actually did it.”

This is one of the best examples of graduation speech examples for a friend if you don’t want to overcomplicate things. It follows a simple pattern: how you met, what you admire, one or two stories, and a strong, encouraging ending.

Funny examples of graduation speech examples for a friend

If your friend loves humor, a light, funny tone can make your speech unforgettable—as long as you keep it kind and appropriate for family and faculty.

Funny example (with heart)
“Hi everyone, I’m Riley, and I’m here to talk about my best friend, Alex—also known as the person who set at least three alarms every morning and still somehow almost missed the bus.

When we started school, Alex had two goals: survive math and figure out how to function on less than six hours of sleep. I’m happy to report that only one of those goals was fully successful.

There was the time Alex showed up to class with mismatched shoes, the group project where they accidentally deleted our entire presentation ten minutes before we went on, and of course, the legendary moment they waved at someone who wasn’t actually waving at them.

But here’s the thing: Alex always laughed, learned, and kept going. That’s what makes them incredible. Behind every funny story is someone who never gave up, who worked hard, and who cheered the rest of us on when we were stressed out and tired.

So today, as we graduate, I want to say this: Alex, thank you for the laughs, the late‑night pep talks, and the reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to be proud of how far we’ve come.

Congratulations, Alex—and congratulations to everyone who survived group projects.”

When you’re looking for real examples of graduation speech examples for a friend that lean funny, notice how this one balances jokes with sincere praise. The humor never embarrasses the friend; it highlights their resilience.

Heartfelt, emotional example for a lifelong friend

Some friendships started way before high school or college. This example of a graduation speech for a friend works well if you’ve grown up together.

Heartfelt example (for a longtime friend)
“My name is Maya, and I’ve known Emma since we were ten years old, trading snacks at lunch and arguing about which movie was better.

We’ve been through every season together—awkward middle school phases, first heartbreaks, late‑night phone calls, and now, graduation. When I think about these years, I don’t just remember classes and tests. I remember Emma sitting with me on the curb after I failed my driving test, telling me, ‘You’re allowed to be disappointed. But you’re not allowed to give up.’

That’s who Emma is. She’s the friend who shows up when it’s not convenient, who listens when you don’t even know how to explain what you’re feeling, who believes in you when you’re tired of believing in yourself.

Today, we’re stepping into the next chapter—college, jobs, the unknown. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. But I’m less afraid because I know the kind of person Emma is. Wherever she goes, she’ll bring that same kindness, courage, and quiet strength.

Emma, I am so proud of you. Thank you for being my friend, my safe place, and my reminder that I’m never alone. Congratulations to you, and to everyone here who made it to this moment.”

This is one of the best examples of graduation speech examples for a friend when you want to lean into emotion without sounding overly dramatic. Notice the specific memories and the clear picture of who the friend is.

Example for a college or university graduation

College speeches can acknowledge independence, stress, and the reality of adult life. This example of a graduation speech for a friend fits a university setting.

College graduation example
“Good afternoon, professors, families, and fellow graduates. I’m Daniel, and I’m here to celebrate my friend, Priya.

When we first moved into our dorm, we were both terrified. We Googled ‘how to do laundry’ and burned our first attempt at cooking pasta. We got lost on campus more times than I’m willing to admit. But through all of it, Priya was there—with a color‑coded planner, a backup plan, and a sense of humor that somehow made everything feel possible.

In four years, I watched Priya balance two part‑time jobs, a full course load, and still find time to tutor other students. She never bragged about it. She just quietly did the work.

Research from places like Harvard University has shown how powerful social support is for student success, and Priya is proof of that. She’s the person who checked in when someone missed class, who shared notes without being asked, who stayed up late helping friends study even when she had her own exam the next morning.

Priya, you’ve shown me what determination looks like. You’ve shown all of us what it means to succeed and lift others up along the way.

Congratulations, Priya—and congratulations to the Class of 2025. We made it through exams, late‑night deadlines, and group chats that should probably be deleted. Here’s to what comes next.”

If you’re searching for examples of graduation speech examples for a friend that work in a more formal college environment, this one gives you a structure you can adapt: shared struggles, specific achievements, a nod to research or data, and a hopeful close.

Example for a high school graduation

High school speeches often focus on growing up, changing, and moving into adulthood. Here’s a realistic, down‑to‑earth high school example.

High school graduation example
“Hello everyone, my name is Chris, and I’m here to talk about my friend, Taylor.

Taylor and I survived freshman year together, which should honestly come with its own diploma. We went from getting lost in the hallways to knowing exactly which staircases to avoid between classes. We stressed over tests, tried out for teams and clubs, and learned how to parallel park… badly.

What stands out about Taylor isn’t just the big moments, like making varsity or getting into their dream school. It’s the everyday stuff: the way they’d share their notes, hold the door a little longer, or send a ‘you got this’ text before a big exam.

The U.S. Department of Education talks a lot about preparing students for the future, but friends like Taylor are the ones who helped me actually get to the future. They reminded me to laugh, to keep perspective, and to remember that grades are important, but people are more important.

Taylor, I’m proud of who you are and who you’re becoming. Thank you for being the kind of friend who makes high school more than just homework and hall passes. Congratulations to you and to the entire Class of 2025.”

This is one of the real examples of graduation speech examples for a friend that you can use almost word‑for‑word, just swapping in your own names, memories, and details.

Short last‑minute example (when you got asked yesterday)

Sometimes you find out you’re speaking… very late. Here’s a quick, flexible template‑style example of a graduation speech for a friend you can personalize fast.

Last‑minute flexible example
“Hi everyone, my name is ____, and I’m honored to say a few words about my friend, ____.

We met when ____, and from the beginning, I knew they were someone special. Whether it was ____, ____, or that time we ____, they’ve always brought energy, kindness, and a sense of humor to everything we did.

What I admire most about ____ is ____. Even when things were hard—like ____, or when we were all stressed about ____—they kept showing up, working hard, and encouraging the people around them.

As we graduate today, I know that same strength and heart will carry them into whatever comes next.

____, thank you for being my friend and for making these years unforgettable. Congratulations to you, and to all of us graduating today.”

Among the best examples of graduation speech examples for a friend, this one is intentionally open‑ended. You can fill in the blanks with one or two quick stories, rehearse it a couple of times, and you’re ready.

How to shape your own graduation speech for a friend

Looking at several examples of graduation speech examples for a friend is helpful, but you still need to shape your own words. Think in three simple stages: beginning, middle, and end.

Beginning – Introduce yourself and your friend
Instead of a long build‑up, start clearly. Say your name, your friend’s name, and how you know each other. For instance:

• “I’m Ava, and I’ve had the honor of being Liam’s friend since our first week of college.”
• “My name is Elijah, and I met Noor in our very first high school math class.”

Middle – Tell 1–3 specific stories
Stories are what people remember. Choose moments that show who your friend really is. You might talk about:

• A time they helped you or someone else when it really mattered
• A funny disaster you both survived (and can laugh about now)
• A challenge they faced and how they handled it

You don’t need a long list—just a few well‑chosen snapshots. Research on memory from places like NIH points out that emotionally meaningful, story‑based experiences stick with us, and your speech can tap into that.

End – Look forward and encourage
Finish by:

• Saying clearly how proud you are of your friend
• Wishing them well in the future
• Including the whole class in your congratulations

Something as simple as, “I can’t wait to see what you do next. Congratulations to you, and to the Class of 2025,” works beautifully.

Modern trends in graduation speeches for 2024–2025

Graduation speeches have shifted over the last few years, especially after the pandemic. When you look at current examples of graduation speech examples for a friend, a few trends stand out:

More honesty about struggle
Students are more open about mental health, burnout, and real‑life challenges. If your friend pushed through tough times—online classes, family responsibilities, health issues—it’s okay to gently acknowledge that. Just keep it respectful and positive.

If you’re touching on mental health, it’s wise to stay supportive and avoid trying to give medical advice. Trusted resources like the National Institute of Mental Health or Mayo Clinic offer guidance and language you can use if you want to mention resilience or getting support.

Shorter, more focused speeches
Audiences in 2024–2025 have shorter attention spans, and ceremonies are packed. Many of the best examples of graduation speech examples for a friend run 2–4 minutes. That’s long enough to say something meaningful without losing the room.

Personal, but not oversharing
People respond to real stories, but you don’t need to reveal every private detail of your friend’s life. Share enough to honor their journey while still protecting their privacy and comfort.

Quick tips to customize these examples for your friend

You can treat all of the examples of graduation speech examples for a friend above as starting points. To customize them:

• Swap in your real names, school, and year.
• Replace the sample stories with your own memories: a road trip, a failed test you both recovered from, a club you joined together.
• Match the tone to your friend: more jokes for the class clown, more reflection for the quiet overachiever.

Before you finalize your speech, read it out loud. Listen for:

• Any sentences that feel too stiff or formal—rewrite them in your natural speaking voice.
• Jokes that might land badly with parents, teachers, or younger siblings in the audience—if you’re unsure, cut them.
• Places where you can pause for a beat to let people react or applaud.

If you’re nervous about public speaking (totally normal), practicing a few times with a friend or in front of a mirror can make a big difference. Even professional speakers rehearse.

FAQ: Graduation speech examples for a friend

How long should a graduation speech for a friend be?
Most schools prefer speeches that are about 2–4 minutes. That’s usually around 300–600 words, depending on how fast you talk. Check with your school or event organizer to see if there’s a time limit.

Can I use these examples of graduation speech examples for a friend word‑for‑word?
You can, but it’s better to treat them as templates. Change the names, details, and stories so the speech sounds like you and truly fits your friend.

What’s an easy example of an opening line I can use?
Try something simple, like: “Hi, I’m ____, and I’m honored to share a few words about my friend, ____.” You can then add how you met or one quick detail that describes them.

Is it okay to make jokes about my friend in the speech?
Light, kind humor is great. Avoid anything that would embarrass them in front of family or teachers. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Would my friend laugh at this, or feel uncomfortable?” If it’s the second one, cut the joke.

Where can I find more real examples of graduation speeches?
Many schools and universities publish speeches online. You can search for recent commencement speeches from well‑known universities like Harvard or look for recorded student speeches on official school websites and channels. Watch how they balance personal stories, gratitude, and inspiration.

Using these real‑world models, plus the specific examples of graduation speech examples for a friend in this guide, you’ll be able to craft something that feels honest, warm, and memorable—for your friend, and for everyone listening.