Speech and debate instilled me with a deep sense of confidence and a drive for connection. I bonded with so many students in my district and across various communities. It taught me the power of sharing my story, honing in on my thoughts, thinking creatively, listening critically, and speaking in-depth about a singular topic, in a rather short period of time. Now, as a national presenter at conferences, speech and debate definitely contributes to my composure, poise, assessment of the audience, and ability to function well under pressure."
