Hey everyone! I’m Kaveya Kogulanaat and I’m the 2nd runner up of Saraswathy English Challenge 2024. Here is a look back of my journey full of challenges, hurdles and more! It was an incredible journey, and I hope my story can inspire you if you’re ever nervous about speaking in front of a crowd. Believe me, it was the best experience yet!

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The Big Idea That Kicked Off My Speaking Adventure

So, it all started when I was searching for some competitions on Google when I saw a remarkable competition. I thought, “Why not give it a shot!” Little did I know, this decision would lead me to a spectacular stage!

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The Game-Changer That Got Me Started

The first big task was writing my speech. I wanted it to be interesting and something people could relate to. I spent a lot of time researching, writing, and rewriting. It wasn’t easy—there were lots of feedback from friends and family and their comments made a huge difference. Each time, I tried to make it a little bit better. In the end, it was all worth it.

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The first few steps!

I finally finished my video! Then, I submitted it to the competition. I did a short story based on my likings. My entry showcased with engaging visuals and clear explanations. The judges were impressed by the creativity and impact of my presentation. Getting selected for the next round was a thrilling affirmation of my effort, reinforcing my passion for storytelling.

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Time to tackle the next thrilling round!

I had to present a speech live on Zoom related to the phrase, ‘ missing the forest for the trees’. I tried to make it fun and easy to understand. When I found out I was selected as  one of the winners, I was super excited! It felt amazing to see my ideas has been recognized and it made me even more excited about doing presentations in the future.

 

The final round: The Big Stage

When I qualified for the final round, I was both thrilled and nervous. The event was much bigger than the previous ones, and I knew the competition would be tough. I worked hard to make sure my speech was as polished as possible and that I was prepared for anything. On the day of the competition, the stage was massive, and there were tons of people in the audience. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves. When it was finally my turn, I walked onto the stage and started my speech.

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The moment on stage.

Standing on a big stage, I was super nervous with all the bright lights and people staring at me. But once I started talking, I felt more confident. Sharing my ideas and seeing the audience react was amazing. Even though my heart was racing, it was so cool to feel like I could really connect with other people and make an impact. The whole experience was thrilling and inspiring. This experience has given me more exposure to public speaking!

 

Winning the Competition

When they announced the winners, my heart was pounding. I was in shock when they called my name as the 2nd runner up. It was such an amazing moment, and I felt so proud of what I had achieved. All the hard work and practice really paid off.

 

What I Learned

Winning the competition taught me a lot about hard work and self-belief. I realized that with enough preparation and determination, you can overcome your fears and achieve great things. It also showed me the importance of sharing your message with passion and confidence. So, if you’re nervous about public speaking, don’t let it stop you! Keep practicing and believe in yourself. Everyone starts somewhere, and with effort and positivity, you can achieve amazing things. That’s the story of how I went from being anxious about public speaking to winning a national competition. I hope it inspires you in your own journey. Thanks for reading!