Skills for Success by Matthew

Skills for Success by Matthew - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

Shaking with fear as he stepped up to the microphone, Sam couldn't believe that he was about to give this speech. He had written and practiced it dozens of times, but still, fear stuck him to his chair. As Sam's name was called, he gingerly stood up and slowly walked to the podium shaking the whole way. "H-h-i-i," he stammered as he reached the podium, not confident in himself in the slightest.

This is an experience many people go through every single time they speak in public. People shouldn't have to have that fear of public speaking. It is something that is necessary in life and is important for people to be comfortable with it. I have never been that wary of public speaking, but I have seen the effects that it has on many other students. To help students overcome this fear I believe that a public speaking and leadership class must be added to American high school curriculum. Many schools teach similar types of classes, but I believe that it should be required for all American high school students. Being able to solve problems, lead others, and then to be able to speak in front of groups are incredibly valuable assets for a future employer and those are tools that students should be given.

Leadership skills are also incredibly important because they not only teach you how to be a leader, but they also teach you how to live a better life. The leadership section of the class would teach students about character traits and how to help and serve others. Beyond that it would also teach students why real life leaders made the decisions they made. Students would then not only have book smarts about leadership, but would also see practical experiences of leadership in action. This would give students useful information as they go off to college and the workforce and for life in general.

I have gained public speaking experience by participating in varsity speech since 7th grade and that practice has made it so I am not fearful speaking in front of groups. This has given me many opportunities to speak in front of various people and has made me much more confident in my speaking abilities. Giving a presentation in class, helping other students 1-on-1, or speaking to a group of people don't make me all that nervous and I believe everyone can have that same experience. Being able to speak in front of others and my leadership abilities have earned me a lot of respect among my peers and culminated in me being elected NHS president for this upcoming year. Being able to speak in front of others is an incredibly important thing in everyone's life and starting to train people in high school for that will greatly equip students for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Being able to communicate, lead others, and solid character traits are all incredibly important skills that would be used the rest of the students' lives. Imagine Sam now, after taking this class; he is bold, confident and excited to be able to share with everyone else. When his teacher calls his name, he boldly stands up and walks straight to the front of the classroom. Imagine how much more everyone would look forward to that speech and look at him with a positive light as he went up to speak. Students would then be excited to hear what he has to share instead of feeling embarrassed and sorry for him and saying things like, "I wonder how he's going to mess up this time." Speaking in front of others is an important factor in life and being able to do so boldly, confidently and with an end goal in mind will make students much more successful. Adding the leadership aspect to this class will make it something that will shape the rest of the students' lives.