Dartebiota: Public Speaking Competition'09

Hi all,

Recently, all the Sec 1s had to join a mandatory, annual English Speaking Workshop organised by our school. (And for certain confidential matters, I'm not allowed to reveal the name

of this event, based on our RBP.)

During the workshop, after being briefed on tips on public speaking, we ajourned to our classrooms where our coach gave us an impromptu speech topic to prepare - 3 minutes to prepare for a speech 1 minute long. Some of us contributed, and our coach selected 2 of us (My friend and I) to meet the teacher-in-charge because they were considering of allowing us to participate in the competition's Grand Finals. We repeated our speeches in front of that teacher.

When it turned out that I would be admitted to the Grand Finals, my immediate response was: I'm so very dead. I mean, I didn't even know how to speak properly with my friends, what more with 400+ people and judges? I wanted to withdraw (I mean, I contributed during the workshop out of fun, and wasn't expecting this to happen.) from the competition, because I had no confidence.

But we were assigned coaches (last year's Grand Finalists) whom we had to meet up with at least twice before the competition. We were assigned various topics by drawing lots, and I was lucky enough to get this: Time waits for no man.

So we prepared and prepared, and even collaborated with other coaches. As the Grand Finals neared, we were just getting better (admist those term tests) - really surprising. Anyway, when the grand finals came, I just felt really quirky - despite the many rehearsals.

Although I have spoken in front of huge crowds before (those who came from my Primary School know what I mean), this was something totally different - there are spotlights, strong, yellow spotlights, shining so perisistently in your eyes. And all you have is a microphone squatting in the middle of the stage, and I was supposed to, with my 4 cue cards in my right hand, step in front of the microphone, and deliver a 3 minutes speech, bearing in mind that I am representing my class and my consortium. I got really nervous, because from the previous speakers, they were really loquacious, and speaking was their natural talent.

But for me? No. I forced out my prepared speech, holding the hopes of my fellow consortium-mates with me. However, after the impromptu speech, when the results were announced, I withheld with me even greater anxiety, as the consolation winners, in no order of merit, were called out to receive their award. I held the hopes of my classmates and consortium-mates, and as each name was called, I silently hoped that mine would not be next. Then, the time came.

"And our last consolation winner is...". The name was announced, and thankfully, it wasn't mine. I stood as 2nd runner-up and oh how much I would like to thank my coaches. And my classmates as well. Through this experience, I can say that hard work does pay off. And that winning a competition isn't just about everything (this sentence reminds me of my PSLE EL Oral Picture Discussion).

To all my friends out there, who were in the auditorium supporting me, and including my consortium count