Who Is Paxton Smith And Why Is Her Valedictorian Speech Going Viral?

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MEET a high school valedictorian from Texas whose commencement speech has been going viral online.

Paxton Smith has been making waves for her last minute valedictorian speech at her high school graduation, but why?

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Who is Paxton Smith?

Paxton Smith is a graduating senior at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas.

She is the valedictorian of her graduating class with a 104.93 average.

Post graduation, Smith will be attending the University of Texas Austin.

As part of her valedictorian duties, Smith was to prepare a speech to read at her graduation, which had to be approved before commencement fell on May 30, 2021.

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She originally wrote a speech about the effect of media on young minds but changed this decision just days before graduation.

What is the ‘heartbeat’ bill?

Just 11 days before graduation, Texas governor Greg Abbott passed a bill nicknamed the “heartbeat bill.”

This bill would prohibit abortions in Texas as early as six weeks before some women even know that they are pregnant.

This opens the door for any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others.

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Smith was warned that if she deviated from her script, her microphone would be cut.

Still, she decided to talk about the pressing issue and the importance of reproductive rights.

Why is Paxton Smith’s valedictorian speech going viral?

After addressing the crowd, Smith launched into the new topic in light of recent events, it feels wrong to talk about anything but what is currently affecting me and millions of other women in this state.”

She continues, “I refuse to give up this platform to promote complacency and peace, when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights.

“A war on the rights of your sisters, a war on the rights of your mothers, a war on the rights of your daughters. We cannot stay silent.”

Her speech has currently surpassed 20k views on YouTube.

About the reception, Smith said “When I gave the speech, I didn’t realize people who weren’t affiliated with LHHS would see it.

“I’ve been getting hundreds of messages applauding what I said. It’s been shared on almost every platform I can think of. That’s exciting.”

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Her unexpected change of topics has resulted in the schoolboard reviewing their policies for valedictorians in the future.

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Smith defends her decision by saying, “A large part of the reason I made the speech at graduation was that was the only place I could think of where I could reach so many people from so many different backgrounds.

“It did cross my mind that this is a family event where people are cheering for their kids, but this is a universal topic, and it affects everyone. I felt it need to be said.”