Speech by high school valedictorian just hours after his father’s funeral moves people to tears

A Texas high school valedictorian gave a touching speech at his graduation shortly after laying his father to rest.

Eighteen-year-old Alem Hadzic shared with Good Morning America how he felt with trembling arms and muddy shoes, marking May 16 as a remarkable day for him.

“I was just shaking before my speech because I knew what I was going to say. I didn’t know how I was going to say it. And it really was a rough, rough day,” said Alem.

That morning, Hadzic attended his father’s funeral, who died on May 15 after battling pancreatic cancer.

After the burial, he drove to his graduation with his younger sister.

Alem mentioned that people noticed something was wrong because he was very quiet and unresponsive.

“People were trying to talk to me, and I would just kind of blow them off,” he said.

Despite the circumstances, Hadzic attended his graduation at the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus and chose to give his speech.

The high school valedictorian’s words moved the audience to tears and earned him a standing ovation.

Alem expressed surprise at seeing many in tears among the audience.

After the ceremony, strangers approached him for photos, praising his strength.

The support uplifted him on a difficult day, stating it was precisely what he needed.

He also noted making last-minute changes to his speech due to recent events.

“When I went off script, I was just speaking from the heart. My brain was off,” he said, adding that he almost cried but found strength when he saw the audience moved by his words, realizing he wasn’t alone in his feelings.

This realization gave him the confidence to continue.

In his speech, Alem revealed his father’s cancer diagnosis, which he had kept private.

Despite his father’s passing, Alem aimed to inspire his peers by sharing his dad’s story.

He expressed his commitment to honor his father’s efforts by pursuing college and working diligently in his memory.

“I said that I didn’t want to be up there but I couldn’t throw something away that he worked so hard for me to achieve. And that’s why I’m going to college, and I’m going to work every single hour of every single day, and I’m going to do it for him,” said Alem.

Alem encouraged others to pursue their goals, emphasizing the importance of succeeding for loved ones who support them the most.

“Just do it, like succeed for your loved ones. Those are the people who want you to succeed the most,” the high school valedictorian added.

Alem talked about his dad, who was selfless and caring.

They were close and liked doing activities together, particularly watching the Dallas Mavericks play basketball.

Alem cherished these moments, especially since it was one of the last things they did before his dad passed away.

Alem didn’t talk about his dad’s health during his last semester, but now he’s grateful to share his memory as he begins to deal with his grief.

He believes his dad would’ve been proud of him, and it feels right to honor his wishes.

Hadzic finished high school with top grades, earning a 4.0 GPA and getting both a high school diploma and an associate of science degree from Early College.

He’s thrilled to begin studying chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, which includes Early College High School, shared a statement expressing pride in Hadzic’s accomplishments and his touching graduation speech.

Wendy Eldredge, the superintendent of Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, expressed deep pride in Alem.

She found his courage and openness at the graduation inspiring and considered celebrating him a privilege.

Watch the high school valedictorian Alem Hadzic as he delivers his heartfelt speech during his graduation hours after his father’s funeral: