Christina Mederos - Reflection #1

Dear Readers, 

Personally, I truly enjoy public speaking. There’s something exhilarating about standing in front of an audience, capturing their attention, and sharing ideas in an immersive way. Throughout my three years in high school, I had the amazing opportunity to serve as a sports announcer, a role that allowed me to focus on my communication skills in a lively and engaging environment. Also removing my fear of crowds and lowering my anxiety of public speaking due to my stutter and lisp. I loved the thrill of announcing games, the adrenaline rush of calling a play just as it unfolded, and the joy of making the crowd feel like they were part of the action. During our recent presentation days, I witnessed my classmates deliver some thought out presentations. They incorporated gifs and well-placed memes that not only illustrated their points but also added a touch of humor to the powerpoints. It was refreshing to see how creativity could enhance the effectiveness of their messages. However, as I watched, I found myself hoping for a more interactive presentation. Perhaps a few engaging questions directed toward the audience or short youtube clips could have made the experience even more interactive and memorable. There’s a certain magic in drawing the audience into the conversation, making them feel like they are active participants rather than just thoughtless listeners. Group 1 set the bar high right from the beginning. Their presentation was well polished showcasing their understanding of the topic and their ability to connect with each other even through zoom. They definitely paved the way for the subsequent groups, establishing a standard that would be challenging to match. Group 2, coming up next, faced the daunting task of presenting after such a strong showing. However, they managed to hold their ground. Their presentation was solid and informative, demonstrating an understanding of their topic and chapters of the book. It was clear that they were well-prepared, and they maintained the momentum that Group 1 had built. Then came Group 3, who undoubtedly found their place on the leaderboard for the day. Their delivery was confident, and they managed to engage the audience with their innovative topics and usage of memes. They utilized the media available effectively, making their points resonate strongly with their classmates. I found myself nodding along, appreciating how well they had captured the essence of their assignment. It’s always inspiring to see peers excel and push each other to reach new heights in their presentations. Group 4 delivered what I would call the strongest presentation of our class. They brought a level of enthusiasm and clarity that was truly impressive. Unfortunately, they were missing Rose during the initial presentation, but she later stepped in to present her slide. I can only imagine how powerful their presentation would have been had they all been able to present together from the outset. If that had happened, I genuinely believe they would have scored perfectly. 100 out of 10. The harmony between the team members can elevate a presentation to extraordinary levels, and it was clear that Rose’s contributions would have added an extra layer of depth to their work. Not only did they miss Rose in the first presentation but they had a last minute addition to their team having to adjust and prevail through last minute changes of their presentation and outline. As I reflected on my own role during these presentations, I recognized that I faced a challenge when it came to introducing the groups. Without a clear outline of their presentations, I found myself navigating through their topics with limited information. This lack of clarity restricted my ability to create impactful introductions that would do justice to their hard work. It was a learning experience for me, highlighting the importance of preparation and communication among team members. The standout moment during the presentations was when Steven took on the role of concluding remarks. His ability in impromptu speaking shone through, and he managed to encapsulate each presentation with remarkable skill. Steven’s niche ability to quickly synthesizing information and articulate clearly added significant value to the overall flow of the presentations. It’s a talent that not everyone possesses, and he truly excelled in this regard. His conclusions not only tied together the key points from each presentation but also encouraged further reflection among the audience. In reflecting on the entire experience, I felt a sense of camaraderie with my classmates. We were all in this together, learning from one another and pushing each other to be better speakers and communicators. The atmosphere was inspiring, filled with a mix of excitement and a little bit of nervous energy. It reminded me that public speaking is not just about conveying information; it’s also about building connections and engaging with others. As we move forward, I hope to see even more creativity and interactivity in future presentations. Perhaps we could explore different formats, such as incorporating live polls or even interactive demonstrations. There’s so much potential for enhancing our public speaking skills during presentations while also making the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. All in all, these presentation days were not just about showcasing their individual talents, but also about learning from one another. I came away with new insights and inspiration, excited to continue refining my own skills. Public speaking is a journey, and each experience is an opportunity to grow and improve. I look forward to future events where we can continue to explore the art of communication together, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve as speakers. The possibilities are endless, and I’m eager to see what’s next for our class. 

Thank you,

Christina Mederos