By Teresiah Karumba, Form One,

Nyandarua High School

Public speaking is my forte because one becomes popular and also courageous to speak in front of an audience.

I aspire to become a successful public speaker, especially when I take up my dream career in mass communication in future.

I read novels, journals, magazines and newspapers so as to perfect my language.

Tabitha, aiming to be a top public speaker in the country. Photo: Jenipher Wachie/Standard

I practice how to speak English fluently because I know nothing good comes easy.

This year, I participated in junior public speaking and proceeded up to the National level during the music festivals held in Mombasa last August.

The topic given was, ‘How to conserve the environment’. I enjoyed the topic and during my presentation, I persuaded the audience to take care of the environment as its destruction could lead to predicaments such as lack of rain, drought, global warming and also death of animals as well as people. I quoted the words of Prof Wangari Maathai, one of my role models, "Nature is very unforgiving".

To take care of the environment, we should plant trees, avoid emitting dangerous gases, which lead to depletion of the ozone layer and also avoid poaching.

I took position five in the competition and it felt as if I was in the seventh heaven. The joy that I felt was inexpressible.

I was presented a certificate by the adjudicators while my school principal gave me many presents.

I encourage my peers to use their talents. What you need most is to focus on what you are doing. You should never give up.

Thomas Edison, who made the bulb, attempted 999 times to make it and was successful when he gave it one more try.

Take heed of any advice given to you by the people concerned about your talent because as you make your bed so you must lie on it.

Work hard to achieve your objectives because success does not come on a silver platter.