by Elaine Royal World Champion of Public Speaking Finalist
I can still smell the muggy scent of the rain on the streets of Philadelphia. The night before my flight was delayed, my Uber driver dropped me off at the wrong hotel, and I missed my opportunity to have a hot cup of black coffee during complimentary breakfast hours. It didn’t matter to me though. The way I skipped down that wet, sleek, street a block over from my hotel you would have thought the sun was shining brightly and birds were singing. I was beyond eager to meet the 27 other semi-finalists from around the world that had taken the road less traveled, like I did, and ended up at the same destination…semi-finals in the International Speech Contest!
At each level of the contest, I was always very intentional about always being the first contestant to arrive. I love to go and connect with the space, practice alone on the stage, and then visualize myself as I speak. Philadelphia was no different from all the other times. By the time other contestants showed up for mic check and dress rehearsal, I was able to focus on being fully present, greeting and meeting them without having the jitters.
Occasionally, I had to fight the heavy fear of feeling like I was out of place compared to all the other contestants. Many of them had competed before and some people have been competing for several years. They all knew the “ropes” while I attempted to present myself just as confident as they all appeared to be knowing it was my first time. I soon reminded myself of my two boys who insist I listen to Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy right before I take the stage, my loved ones, and the support of district 25.When my name was called at the semi-finals, it was like I was in a dream. My fellow contestants had to inform me that my name was called because I sat there in awe wondering if I had heard them correctly. Did I really make it to the final stage of the contest?
I was totally speechless and did not have a second speech ready! I had known for weeks that I would need to compose another speech, and I tried my best to write. I had poured my blood, sweat, and tears into Brake Lights. I did not know how to devote any part of me into another speech. This was hands down the only thing that I even found challenging during the whole contest itself. Although I had a team of two helping me behind the scenes, I panicked to the point where I shutdown and couldn’t talk to anyone. By midnight, I was in tears and pressure overwhelmed me. I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. I had a speech to write but couldn’t think. I wanted to get right back on the plane and come back home to Texas. However, the thought of letting everyone down was too much to bear.
The title and the overall message was scripted in my heart, but the words changed dozens of times. I thought hard on one of the things that I was most impressed by during this competition, and that was how one of my students dynamically changed academically and behavior wise from the time I started in January until I won at District. I began to laugh, cry, and reflect. I looked at the clock, it was 1 a.m., and the words finally started to pour out of me like warm water in a waterfall. My speech coach/buddy, Fursey Gotuaco, put me on a hardcore regime of reciting my speech and sending him the recordings in 15–30-minute increments. I was supposed to be practicing in between sessions, but I was taking zap-naps (please don’t snitch). I only reviewed the words I wrote down twice. I had to set it to memory. By 6 a.m., the speech was done, and I was guzzling down any caffeinated drink I could get my hands on.
The “big stage” was incredible, and I was the only contestant asking for a barf bag. I was so nauseated and wired off caffeine I really thought I was about to regurgitate the last meal I had eaten. Luckily, at that level of performing all your nerves go out the door the moment you’re “next up” on stage. I let the story flow, I had fun, and when I walked off, I was proud of what I was able to execute.
When the winners were called, I was at ease. I shed a tear or two and headed back to my hotel …or so I thought. I was not the least bit prepared for the overwhelming support I got, despite the fact that I didn’t place. My hotel was only 5 minutes walking distance from the convention center, but it took me two hours to get back. So many people wanted to chat, take pictures, or tell me how my words moved them. I had over 90 friend requests upon getting back to my hotel. I only knew 3 people when I left the Lone Star State. I told myself I would never do this again, and I was happy to have had the experience.
The next day, after I got plenty of rest, a hot shower, and a non-caffeinated breakfast, I drew back the drapes in my hotel room and looked at the beautiful sunshine. I thought about all the transformational things that happened to me once I really started to believe in myself while in this contest and realized I am not even the same person I was when I started the contest. I met amazing people, I got amazing opportunities, and I learned how to be my own champion. I smiled and I said to myself, “I can’t wait to do this all again next year. This was fun!”
