'Thank you for letting me fend for myself': High school valedictorian blasts 'alcoholic' teacher and 'unavailable' counselor in shocking graduation speech

Valedictorian Nataly Buhr delivered a shocking graduation speech on June 6 where she criticized San Ysidro High School staff for being negligent and unsupportive of students

A California valedictorian took to the podium and slammed a teacher for being 'regularly intoxicated'  and her counselor for leaving her to 'fend for herself' during her graduation speech.

Nataly Buhr, a senior at San Ysidro High School in San Diego, opened her speech thanking the school, her parents, and a few teachers for being 'invested in the students' education and well being' on Thursday June 6. 

But then her address took a sharp turn when she called out the school's administrators and teachers for being negligent and failing to do their jobs. 

'To the teacher that was regularly intoxicated during class this year, thank you for using yourself to teach these students about the dangers of alcoholism. Being escorted out of school left a lasting impression,' she said 

'To my counselor, thank you for letting me fend for myself – you were always unavailable to my parents and I despite appointments,' she said. 

'You expressed to me your joy in having one of your students be valedictorian when you had absolutely no role in my achievements,' she added. 

'To the staff in the office, thank you for teaching me how to be resourceful. Your negligence to inform me of several scholarships until the day before they were due potentially caused me to miss out on thousands of dollars,' she said. 

Finally, she closed her speech with a warning to the students and staff to do better. 

'To future students and staff - learn from these examples,' she concluded as her peers exploded in uproarious applause.

Nataly's mother Monica Serratos says she's proud of her daughter's poignant message. 

'I was proud that she spoke up and got it out. It is something that takes a lot courage to do,' she said. 

Nataly is defending her comments saying she felt compelled to shed light on what was really going on behind classroom doors at the school. She says she's received mostly positive feedback from her controversial speech. 

'In the beginning I recognized and thanked those who I believe went above and beyond for the students. I understand that those I criticized may be facing personal issues, but I don't think that should affect their commitments or the school's responsibility to fulfill those commitments. I didn't expect for change to come from my speech, but I was hoping it would encourage more students to speak up,' she said to KHOU. 

The speech came as a shock to the school and Sweetwater Union High School district says they're not commenting on her specific allegations of the alcoholic teacher and negligent counselor.  

'It’s unfortunate that the words of a student like this are taking away from the positive. There are a lot of teachers working very hard for our students it’s unfortunate that she decided to air grievances,' Manuel Rubio, spokesperson for the Sweetwater Union High School District, said. 

He called her speech 'inappropriate' and 'out of line' and said that the address was pre-approved but she went off-script. 

'We think that the student’s speech was inappropriate and out of line,' he said to the San Diego Tribune. 

'While we definitely welcome the concerns of students and their families regarding any situation at one of our schools, doing so in such a manner without any prior knowledge of this situation by the school, is not the right way of handling this. Ultimately this takes away from what should have been a day of celebration for the school and their community.' 

Video of her castigating address has gone viral and her fellow peers are cheering her on online. 

'I never talked to her in high school but she really took a dub with this speech,' peer Adrian Melgoza tweeted. Dub means a win.  

'This b***h deserves an Emmy or something,' another student wrote. 

One student noted the drinking teacher 'reeked of alcohol' and would always take her purse with her to the bathroom. 

'Only at our old high school lol,' one Twitter user said.  

'O wow she took no prisoners.....' another added. 

'Dear god what the f**k, that’s bada**,' another Twitter user said. 

'Although at first i thought it was funny it’s the sad reality most students have to experience this especially if the school has minority students I’m glad that valedictorian had the courage to expose them from her POV,' another Twitter user added. 

'Bruh im going to this school,' a shocked incoming high school freshman said.  

Valedictorian Nataly Buhr's speech

Good evening parents, staff, and the class of 2019.  It's a pleasure to speak here today. I'd like to give recognition to those who have greatly influenced me over the past four years. 

To my mother and father, you are the most hard-working and caring people that I know, especially in this past year with all the craziness of applying to colleges and coming closer to adulthood, you have been wonderful mentors and role models. 

To the teacher Madame Rosa, Ms. Monegan, Ms. Gomez, Mr. Solomon, and Mr. Aleman, thank you for being so invested in your students' education and well-being. You are the most intelligent, inspiring, and supportive individuals I've had the pleasure of learning while at SYSS. 

To my friends, thank you for always being by my side. I appreciate your love and support always and will treasure the memories we've made at this school. 

To my counselor, thank you for letting me fend for myself – you were always unavailable to my parents and I despite appointments. Only in these past few weeks with the award ceremonies and graduation coming up did you begin making your appearance. 

You expressed to me your joy in knowing that one of your students be valedictorian when you had absolutely no role in my achievements.

To the staff in the main office, thank you for teaching me how to be resourceful. Your negligence to inform me of several scholarships until the day before they were due potentially caused me to miss out on thousands of dollars. When applying for a work permit you repeatedly turned me away despite confirming with my employer and parents that all my paperwork was filled correctly. I've had to escalate issues with staff to the assistant principal various times to reach any sort of solution. 

To the teacher that was regularly intoxicated during class this year, thank you for using yourself to teach these students about the dangers of alcoholism. Being escorted out of school left a lasting impression. 

To future students and staff - learn from these examples. Thank you Class of 2019.