Due to my performance at the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition, I had the amazing opportunity to represent the United States at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Durban, South Africa this past month.
At the tournament, I competed in four categories, Persuasive Speaking, Interpretive Reading, Impromptu Speaking, and Debating. Two of these categories required prepared speeches, and, while brainstorming potential topics for these speeches, I realized that I wanted to use this world stage to raise awareness and talk about issues concerning women.
For my persuasive speech, I discussed the issue of period poverty, both in the United States and throughout the rest of the world. I had the chance to talk with competitors from India, Canada, and Thailand, among many other countries, about this issue within their own countries, and I learned so much from their first-hand accounts.
Additionally, for my interpretive piece, I elected to choose a reading that highlighted the plight of female and child refugees. I was overjoyed when I found out that I had been selected as a Grand Finalist, or one of the top three speakers, for this reading, and I relished the opportunity to share this issue with people from around the world.
I spent a lot of time preparing for this tournament and was thrilled to find out that my efforts had been acknowledged as I was named a finalist for my speech on period poverty, second place for my Interpretive Reading, and 18th speaker overall.
I met people, both students and educators, from around the world, and I even had the incredible opportunity to debate with high school students from Australia! I am so glad that I had this opportunity to shine a light on these underpublicized topics and hopefully inspire others to learn more about issues concerning women.
Thank you for reading!
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