Speaking in front of others is one of most people’s biggest fears, but fifth graders from Clearview Elementary recently stepped up to stand in front of an audience and “Speak Up.” 

 

Sponsored by area Optimist Clubs, the Speak Up contest was held throughout elementary schools St. Cloud District 742, with students at each school given a teacher-chosen topic to write a two to three minute speech on. Clearview’s topic was ‘an invention that impacted my life.’

 

The students each gave their speeches at their schools, with each school choosing their top three speakers. Fifth graders Lauren G., Grace J. and Ailee B. were awarded the top spots at Clearview.

 

The winning students from each school were then invited to give their speeches in front of family, friends and Optimist Club members Feb. 4 at the St. Cloud Public Library, where they were also awarded medals.

 

First place winner Lauren G. wrote about books.

 

“I wrote about books because whenever anyone would come to our house when I was little I didn’t even say ‘hi,’ I just asked them to read to me,” she said.

She still reads a lot, and currently she’s reading the book Resistance, which is about a Jewish teenager who joins a resistance group in 1941 to fight against the Holocaust after her siblings disappear. Lauren said she thinks it’s her favorite book to date.

 

“I was nervous to give my speech but I was also really excited because I knew I could do it,” she said.

 

Grace J. wrote her speech on the discovery of fire.

 

“It’s an invention most people don’t think about,” Grace explained. “So, I talked about what it is, how it’s caused, inventions that have come from it and what life would be like without it.”

 

She said although she’s spoke in front of people lots of times she still gets nervous when she does.

 

Third place winner Ailee B. gave her speech on the phone, in particular, cell phones.

 

“I wrote about what I can do on a cell phone,” she said. “Like when I’m far away I can call or text my friends. I got facts from the internet and added a hint of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of phones.”

 

She said she was a little bit nervous to give her speech in front of everyone, but not too much.

 

Students in the competition are judged on traditional speech skills, including introduction, eye contact, body language and conclusion. Public speaking helps students gain confidence and improve communication skills.

 

The Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of over 2,500 local clubs whose members work to bring out the best in children, their communities and themselves. For more information visit optimist.org.