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Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:26 PM UTC

Now that’s how you give a graduation speech

Alaine Caudle leaves high school with something to remember her by

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Topics: Teenagers, Huffington Post, Music, Viral Video, YouTube, Television,

Now that's how you give a graduation speechYou wish high school had been as cool as this.

 Alaine Caudle of Doniphan West High School knew that nobody remembers his or her high school valedictorian (or their college one, for that matter), so she decided to make her performance memorable. And, boy, did she ever.

You know, one these videos is worth a thousand anti-bullying PSAs because for once, the smartest kid in the room is also the coolest. And also the bravest; can you imagine the kind of chutzpah it would take to be 18 and just own it like Alaine does?

Oh, also, Alaine was named Governor’s Scholar in the state of Kansas. What did you accomplish in high school? (Hi, Alaine, I’m friending you on Facebook right now. Let’s hang out.)

Drew Grant

Drew Grant is a staff writer for Salon. Follow her on Twitter at @videodrew. More Drew Grant.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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