learn my fate.
However, I soon realized that this was one of those alphabetically organized
events, and I knew where the O in Original Oratory factored in that list of
twenty-six letters, precisely eleven spots from the finale. Nevertheless, I
applauded everyone and anticipated the sound of that elusive letter. When it
did ring, I was caught off-guard, even more so when the individual
announced an unfamiliar name as the winner in my division. I blinked only to
realize that he was calling me. In my frenzy, I bolted out of my seat and
pranced up to collect the award, a giant silver platter with the inscribed event
name. I was madly exhilarated. One victory at a time building up to the
twentieth, both at the regional and state levels, shaped me into the confident
person I have become. There I stood triumphantly on the brightly lit stage at
the Anaheim Convention Center in California representing Georgia in the
Future Business Leaders of America conference as a 2009 top ten national
finalist in Public Speaking.
In hindsight, public speaking has afforded me the ability to handle
demanding situations with considerable confidence, which, coupled with my
analysis skills learnt from the speech crafting process, would enable me to
flourish in and adapt to a rigorous four years in college.
steven felgate
(Steven Felgate)
#1