Final answer:
The final graduation speaker is often someone recognized for their contributions or achievements, like a valedictorian or an influential peer. The significance of graduation extends beyond the individual to potentially influence a broader audience, evident in notable graduation addresses that resonate on a larger scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual given the opportunity to be the final speaker at graduation varies depending on the context. In historical terms, famous individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr. were given this honor for their impactful oratory skills. In a more present-day school context, honor could fall to a valedictorian, a class president, or a peer recognized for their special contributions, much like Michael who won the essay competition, Sasha the top debater, or Giselle who directed student productions. The choice of a final speaker often reflects the values and accomplishments celebrated by the institution and the graduating class.
The importance of a graduation ceremony can be highly individual, varied, and deeply personal, influencing not only the graduates but also the larger community as demonstrated at times in commencement addresses that might have a broader aim, attempting to inspire or challenge a wider audience beyond the graduates themselves. This might be what led Johnson to choose to address the American people at a commencement ceremony.