Where Change Begins: A Classroom, A Voice" by Gabrielle

Where Change Begins: A Classroom, A Voice" by Gabrielle - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

Public Speaking Should Be Required—Because Our Voices Deserve to Be Heard
Public speaking is often treated as a skill reserved for class presidents or future lawyers. But in reality, it’s something every student needs. Whether we’re explaining an idea in a group project, standing up for ourselves in a tough conversation, or one day interviewing for a job, being able to communicate clearly and confidently is foundational. That’s why I believe public speaking should be a required class in every high school, not just an elective tucked away for a few brave students, but a core subject that empowers everyone.
I learned this the hard way. In my school, I helped start a club called PACCT standing for People of All Cultures and Colors Together. We created it to give students of color a space to talk about our experiences and push for change in a school district that often ignored or misunderstood us. At our meetings, I saw students come alive with ideas, reflections, and personal stories. But I also saw how afraid many were to speak up in public settings, at school board meetings, in classrooms, even in front of their peers.
It wasn’t a lack of passion. It was fear. Fear of stumbling, of saying the wrong thing, of being misunderstood. I’ve felt it too. My voice catching when I try to say something that matters, my hands shaking even when I know I’m right. The truth is, we don’t get enough practice. We’re expected to speak well under pressure without being taught how to do it in the first place.
That’s why a public speaking class could be life-changing, not just for students like me, but for everyone. It wouldn’t be about memorizing speeches or becoming the loudest voice in the room. It would be about teaching students to find their voice and use it with confidence and purpose. Imagine a class where students learn how to structure arguments, tell compelling stories, read a room, and even disagree respectfully. These aren’t just academic skills, they’re survival skills in a world where communication is everything.
More importantly, public speaking builds power. The ability to articulate your thoughts can transform a student from silent observer to active participant. When I spoke at our schools first black history month assembly sharing my experiences in school with discrimination, it was one of the most nerve-wracking things I’d ever done. But it also opened doors. It showed others what was possible. That moment didn’t happen because I was naturally brave it happened because I had slowly built up my voice over time, with practice, support, and purpose. A class could help every student do the same.
Public speaking helps students become better leaders, better advocates, and better humans. It teaches confidence without arrogance, listening without judgment, and the courage to speak even when your voice shakes. And in a time when misinformation spreads fast and division runs deep, those are skills we desperately need.
Giving students the tools to speak up isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Because if we don’t learn how to use our voices, someone else will speak for us.