Hoggard graduation speech sparks controversy and on-stage interruption
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A graduation speech delivered by a valedictorian at Hoggard High School has sparked controversy after a quote used during the address was linked to rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.
The controversy stems from the school’s commencement ceremony Saturday, when Hoggard High School valedictorian Kyler Hosek addressed his graduating class and reflected on the experiences that shaped the Class of 2026.
Near the conclusion of his speech, Hosek told graduates, “As my biggest inspiration once said, every human being has something of value that they bring to the table.”
The remark drew little immediate attention, though there were some visible reactions from students sitting in the audience. However, later in the ceremony, student Sara Rudeseal took a microphone and attempted to address the audience about the quote, claiming Hosek had omitted part of its original context.
“Valedictorian Kyler William has quoted a 2022 interview with Kanye West from Infowars. What Kyler forgot to do to finish the quote. Every human being has brought value that they…” Rudeseal said before her microphone was cut off.
Rudeseal later said she believed the quote referenced a 2022 interview in which West continued the statement by saying, “especially Hitler.” She said she was offended by the inclusion of the quote and questioned why it was allowed in a school-sponsored speech.
“To give the valedictorian a speech like that and give him a place to say those things and nobody act like they’re gonna do anything about it or stop it, especially through a public school where it should be run through all sorts of things to make sure that it’s okay to say, doesn’t feel right to just let go by like that,” Rudeseal said.
According to New Hanover County Schools policy, student speeches, including valedictorian addresses, are reviewed, edited and approved by school administrators before graduation ceremonies. The policy also allows administrators to mute microphones or stop speeches if students deviate from their approved remarks.
A similar policy was enforced recently in Johnston County, where a Clayton High School valedictorian’s speech was interrupted after she made remarks about people suffering in other countries that were not part of her approved text.
In a statement provided to WWAY, Hosek’s family said: “It was a positive outlook on the future of AI, emphasizing the growing opportunity for all of us to make profound societal achievements in the future, that we all have something to offer and contribute, and that everyone has value,” the statement said.
After addressing the crowd, Rudeseal said she approached Hoggard Principal Christopher Madden. According to Rudeseal, Madden instructed her to continue moving through the ceremony without receiving her diploma on stage. She later received her diploma during a private ceremony.
Hosek’s family said his speech was reviewed and approved by school officials before commencement, with the full speech included below:
Hello Everyone,
As we celebrate our shared accomplishment today, I would like to reflect on a near universal aspect of the human condition: the yearn for greatness. Everyone’s dreams, in some capacity, feature a desire for personal elevation, notability, or expansive impact. But actualization of said dreams can seem like an insurmountable task, and many are led to temper their expectations. In the age of rapidly advancing AI, however, no longer will it take perfected upbringings, strong genetic predispositions, or improbable luck to make great contributions to society. The only required forces will be creativity, willpower, and passion: 3 qualities, endowed by god, into everyone of you. It seems, in my eyes, that we are nearing a surge in personal agency. As you all graduate into the next chapter of your lives, please understand that your opportunities will continue to increase, while your limitations diminish. I want you all to leave today with a dream,
a drive, and a belief in your potential success, because as my biggest inspiration once said: “Every human being has something of value that they bring to the table.” Thank you and congratulations class of 2026.”
WWAY contacted New Hanover County Schools for comment regarding the incident and the speech approval process, but had not received a response as of publication.
