Activity #10

Speaking at Page’s Freshman Orientation as President of the Principal's Council

8/19/14

1.5 hrs 

Service (1.5 hrs) 

Outcomes 1 & 2 were definitely achieved because this was the first time I ever spoke in front of a large audience. I had performed in the school musical the year before, which was not difficult, but this was certainly something new to me, and gave me a standard to exceed from then on in terms of public speaking. Outcome 7 was reached because I had to consider all the points I made in my speech and make sure they would accurately and appropriately paint a picture of what Page’s Principal’s Council was all about.

Business executives, political leaders, and a variety of artists would be nothing without

their ability to address large audiences, speaking confidently about their passion or

chosen topic. Public speaking is not only a skill, but a talent that people utilize to get

their message out or present information. It takes practice and years of exposure to

different audiences to master. For me, I had never been in a position where I needed

to acquire public speaking skills, but that all changed at the beginning of my senior

year, when I was asked by my principal to speak in front of the entire incoming

freshman class at freshman orientation. At the end of my junior year I was elected

president of the Principal's Council, a club that works alongside our principal to make

policy and improve our high school. Because of my leadership position, it was my job

this year to speak to the students and parents at freshman orientation about the

benefits of joining Principal's Council and all of the activities and services in which we

participate. Having never done anything like this before, I looked up ways to conquer a

major speech on the internet. I discovered that reading your speech out loud to a

mirror helps maintain good posture and facial expressions during your speech. It also

helps to read your speech to a friend or family member, so to receive feedback for

editing.

With this preparation under my belt, I walked up on stage at freshman orientation and

began speaking. The school's auditorium was packed like a can of sardines, with

parents and students having to stand in the very back just to see me. I did not have

my written speech on stage with me as I spoke, but I hit every point I wanted to make

in almost the exact wording I originally wrote it. My heart was beating just like it does

when I am getting on the block for a race at a swim meet, but I ended my speech

relaxed and relieved. I appreciated the comments I received from parents afterwards and the

number of students that made their way to the Principal's Council sign-up desk. My

principal was beside herself, telling me it was one of the most professional and well-conducted speeches she had ever heard from a student. She said it seemed like I didn't take any time beforehand preparing for it, yet I presented all the facts to the audience like I had a "Ph.D in the Principal's Council." Of course, that was only my first attempt at "public speaking," but like the countless practices I put in for improving my swimming, freshman orientation was just the first of a series of training sessions that will eventually turn me into an exceptional public speaker in my education and career.