In 2018, I presented a small speech to my class on the growing issue of homelessness. That speech was then chosen to move into the next round to do a school-wide presentation with the goal of electing the three best presentations to go to the state-wide Speak Up Awards. I was lucky enough to be one of those three top speeches.
After a long drive into North Perth, I presented my speech on homelessness to a group of judges and around 100 people. I was incredibly nervous as it was my first time presenting to a group larger than about 70. The top 10 competitors from that moved into a higher competition on a stage and it was a televised event. Unfortunately, I came 11th. This opportunity was still one that I was very thankful to be able to participate in. My speech was something that I was very proud of and these helped as a steppingstone to me getting my 2018 and 2019 leadership roles and my confidence to apply to 2020 leadership roles too.