Look Out World, Here Comes a Confident Speaker! by Landyn

Look Out World, Here Comes a Confident Speaker! by Landyn - April 2026 Scholarship Essay

One skill I hope to master in the next few years is public speaking. While I am already a confident speaker, I know that there is a difference between speaking well and speaking with ease, clarity, and complete control in the moment.

I have had several opportunities to speak in front of others, especially through DECA competitions and classroom presentations. These experiences have helped me grow, but they have also shown me where I can improve. For example, during one of my DECA competitions, I prepared thoroughly and knew my content well. However, when it was time to present, I stumbled over a few words and briefly lost my flow. Although I was able to recover, that moment stayed with me. It showed me that even when I am prepared, I still rely heavily on structure and memorization rather than being fully comfortable thinking and speaking in real time. This is something I want to change.

Right now, notes are my safety net. They help me stay organized and confident, but I do not want to depend on them forever. My goal is to become a speaker who can engage and captivate an audience naturally, without needing to rely on written prompts. I want to be able to communicate my ideas clearly, respond in the moment, and speak with confidence even when things do not go exactly as planned.

To develop this skill, I plan to intentionally put myself in more situations that require spontaneous speaking. I will continue participating in competitions like DECA, where I am challenged to present ideas under pressure. I also plan to practice speaking without notes, even in small settings like class discussions or group work, to build my confidence over time.

In addition, I want to study strong speakers and learn from them. Whether it is watching presentations, listening to speeches, or observing how others communicate, I want to understand what makes a speaker engaging. I also plan to practice regularly by recording myself speaking, identifying areas for improvement, and working on clarity, pacing, and word choice. Most importantly, I will allow myself to make mistakes. I have realized that growth in public speaking does not come from being perfect. It comes from being willing to speak, reflect, and improve.

Mastering public speaking is important to me because it connects to my future goals in business and leadership. I want to be someone who can confidently share ideas, influence others, and represent my work with clarity and purpose. I am already on my way, but I know that with consistent practice and intentional effort, I can become the kind of speaker who does not just present, but truly connects with an audience.