One of the worst pieces of advice I have heard about combating stage anxiety is to picture everybody naked. Not only is this a useless strategy because the thought of everyone naked while on stage is a little disturbing, but it also establishes the idea that individuals are not capable of public speaking without the use of a crutch. The truth is that public speaking, while challenging at times, is a skill anyone with a little bit of practice and access to adequate resources.
As a shy middle schooler I struggled with panic attacks at the thought of public speaking and my shyness limited my opportunities. However, joining congressional debate at the start of 9th grade allowed me to reach new heights. With access to these resources, I became the captain of my school’s debate team, qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament, and stood as a top 10 debater in North Carolina. My experience with public speaking led me to start teaching debate to underprivileged middle schoolers - many from Johnston county public schools, through camp Outreach.Unfortunately, participation declined post-COVID as most parents can no longer afford to take time off work to drive their kids to the in-person debate camp.
Over 75% of Americans fear public speaking more than death, largely because it's not accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, the costs are prohibitive - local tournament fees can range from $50 to $100 and travel tournaments can cost up to $1000. Simply put, students who can’t afford these fees can’t reap the same benefits as those who can. To address this disparity and foster a generation of confident communicators, public speaking programs need to be accessible to all students.
The DOE has already attained incredible results with its push for STEM education. The “Educate to Innovate” campaign launched by President Obama in 2010 expanded STEM learning opportunities across K-12 and improved teaching in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over the last decade, the focus on STEM has demonstrated its value by creating a more capable and innovative workforce.
Similarly, communication skills are critical for success in today’s interconnected world where more than 3 in 4 individuals are required to use some form of public speaking for their occupation. Whether or not public speaking is a core subject, it must be integrated into school curricula. Developing confident communicators who can advocate for themselves is just as important as cultivating STEM talent.
School Boards can play a transformative role by allocating funds to support debate programs in public schools, ensuring that every student has the chance to develop these essential skills. The benefits of such an initiative are clear and supported by substantial research. Students who participate in speech and debate are not only more successful in the classroom but often emerge as leaders in their schools and communities. I’ve witnessed many of my debate companions thrive in the classroom and go on to attend some prestigious universities.