Local cadets overcome fear of public speaking
Three of the 909 Peregrine Squadron air cadets recently tested their newly acquired speaking skills in the squadron's effective speaking competition.
Each cadet delivered a five-minute prepared speech based on one of eight topics determined by the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, including volunteerism, space exploration and cadet life.
A panel of three judges marked the speeches on qualities such as subject knowledge, originality, enthusiasm and enunciation.
Following the prepared speech, each cadet was given three minutes to prepare to give a twominute impromptu speech on where they wanted to be in 10 years.
Cpl. Maria Pham, 14, who spoke about her cadet bucket list in her prepared speech, accumulated the most points and will represent the squadron at the zone level.
“I was told throughout the program that I was naturally comfortable in front of an audience, so I decided, why not?” said Pham about making the decision to compete. “I was hoping to grow from this experience and I’m pretty sure that I did.”
The air cadets effective speaking program will help the young people be more conÀdent at job or college interviews. They will also be at an advantage when asked to speak at an event such as a wedding or a funeral.
This is Flight Sgt. Byllie Grover’s third year with air cadets and she spoke about how air cadets were her safe place in her prepared speech.
She took part in the effective speaking competition last year and was Àrst runner up this year.
She said she returned because effective speaking is becoming a lost talent and skill for many young people, replaced with texting and slang.
“It’s also challenging myself with my fears of speaking in front of people,” she said.
Flight Sgt. Addison Behrisch used the importance of today’s youth in building Canada’s future as the subject for his prepared speech.
He got involved in the program because he wanted to learn how to be a good speaker.
“I want to be comfortable in front of people,” he said, something, he added, he has never been before.
Each of the three competitors had their own techniques for dealing with nerves while speaking.
Pham said she blows on her thumb, which slows down her heart rate and calms her down.
“Breathe,” advised Grover. “Don’t forget too breathe.”
Depending how many candidates other squadrons send to the zone competition, Grover and Behrisch may get another opportunity to compete.
The successful cadet at the zone level will progress to the provincial level, with the winner moving on to compete in the National Effective Speaking Competition June 14 in Laval, Que.