Rapping valedictorian addresses Ward Melville graduates

Emmanuel Kim, the valedictorian of the Ward Melville High School Class of 2011, has a long list of accomplishments.

He learned to speak English as a second language as a child, sought out a teacher-mentor to help him with his grammar, and read hundreds of books and watched movies to learn the nuances of the language and of American humor, said Ward Melville Principal Alan Baum while introducing him before his speech at Sunday’s graduation ceremony.

In high school, Kim was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and presented at the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition. He founded Model Congress at the high school and also played violin in the orchestra for the school’s production of Phantom of the Opera this year.

But there was one talent Kim had kept to himself until Sunday: rapping.

Kim, who will enroll at Dartmouth College in the fall, rapped about his high school career in lieu of a traditional speech.

In his rap, Kim talked about his feelings as he worked through high school, like being intimidated as an underclassmen, feeling the academic pressure of junior year, and finally becoming a senior.

"Oh my goodness, it's our senior year, and suddenly we're the oldest ones here," he rapped. "It felt like the pressure was on, college apps, our childish days were gone."

After concluding his rap, Kim also quoted pop-singer Katy Perry, calling each of his classmates a "firework."

Baum congratulated each of this year’s more than 600 graduates, including his daughter, Camryn, on completing their high school careers. As a result of their hard work, he said, this year’s class earned about $20 million in grants and scholarships.

Interim Superintendent Neil Lederer implored on the graduates that from that point on, they would be nearly free of outside pressure to succeed. In college and future employment, it would be up to the individual to pressure themselves to meet responsibilities.

“You must want to succeed to succeed,” he said. “You may be tired of listening to others, but you better listen to yourself.”