Christine+X’s+Final+AmEx+2014+Speech

=Title of Speech= What truly classifies a person?

=Text of Speech=

Today, not just colleges, but almost everyone we surround ourselves with judges and categorize an individual by their mental capacity of education. If a person receives an average grade of a C, while another receives an A, that student may think they are superior to the other. Smarter or even better. I have realized, many students are living in a dog eat dog world, where they try so hard to outshine the other, and compete. However, a 24 on the SAT or a 100% on a trig test does not define who a person is. Whatever happened to a person’s character or physical abilities? Mental abilities shouldn’t be the source of all superiority. It truly bothers me when others act as if they were ‘all that’ just because they scored higher on a test, or can perform better at something that another may not. For example, if a fish and a monkey were tested on their ability to climb, a tree, of course the monkey would win. However, that doesn’t make the fish any less than the monkey. Sure the monkey can climb, but a fish can swim, while the monkey cannot. Just like animals, humans have different special abilities which make them, themselves. Just like one student may be a great at soccer and not so academically strong, and vice versa. My first day of my junior year, I walked into my 4th period. AP English. I felt uncomfortable and out of place since I have always taken college prep. One of the very first sassy remarks I received was “Wow, you’re in AP?” this student then proceeded to walk on with a smirk on their face. Not only did this infuriate me, but proves that some students do think of themselves as better than the other who normally takes on challenging courses or receives higher grades, test scores, etc; I personally believe that a person should be categorized by their personality, morals, and overall character. These are what make people, human and unique. We shouldn’t be hardwired to work the same, or think the same, that would just make us all robots. The exact same. A person has a lot more the offer to society then just a test grade. I’m so sick of people judging one another. Society views career choices the same way. Lawyers and doctors are always the ones to be viewed higher than a bus driver or waiter at a restaurant.. based on their education. This leads me to another factor. People shouldn’t be classified by the amount of money they make. I’m not rich, but I’m not poor either. Growing up, I have always learned to work for what I want or have. I may not have the most expensive clothes or have the capability to buy each and every new phone that comes out, but honestly I am perfectly happy with what I have. Others who CAN afford to have all this and the other, sometimes judge people who can’t have everything they have as below them.. which shouldn’t be the case. My goal is to go to cosmetology school, not law school. People and parents always say ‘you can’t make any money with that’ but it’s something I enjoy, and could make a support myself with. I May not live in a million dollar mansion, but I would be happy. In the America I wish to grow and live in, I want people to see a person’s self-worth, not just based on their level of education. I want to see the A student congratulating the C average student for trying their best. I want to see people being judged for who they really are and what they enjoy doing. And I want to see young adults pursuing a career they are motivated to do, not one that society enforces them to do. I want to see acceptance, happiness, and friendships.

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