Shelby+E’s+Final+AmEx+2014+Speech

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=Text of Speech=

For the past week, I have heard the majority of your speeches. At the beginning of each of your speeches Mr. Geib has looked each of you in the eye and said, “Deep breathe, and just tell us what you know.” Therefore, I would go home everyday with the mindset “just write what I know.” But, I would go home sit at my desk for about half an hour and still have nothing written down. “Really Shelby? You know absolutely nothing.” So finally, I just made a list. This list ranged from knowing what it is like to live with an alcoholic to knowing the quadratic formula. From knowing what it is like to be in an abusive relationship to knowing, what it is like to have red hair. I mean this list was crazy long. So I knew I knew a lot. I knew I knew a lot about a lot.

So why could I not pick a topic? Why could I not find a topic unique enough that it would impress you… Oh. Impress. That is when it hit me. I was trying too hard to alter my normal life just enough that what I was saying was true but it would impress you guys. I mean let us be real most of you do not really know me. I am that girl that transferred from Buena this year, that girl that for some odd reason has to say hi to everyone, and that girl that is completely normal. I am not dramatically exciting, impressively smart, or overly unique. I am just a normal teenager. Of course, I am my own person. My story is different then yours and I am special right, because that is what all of our kindergarten teachers taught us. But, I am special in a normal way, and one big difference I have for the majority of you is that unlike the surprising majority of you I am not scared of public speaking. Memorizing speeches however, that is a different matter.

But seriously, what is wrong with being normal? In order to get your attention do I have to recite a whole speech about how my dad has a drinking problem? 20 percent of Americans live with alcoholics. Many which are way worse then my dad. So what my dad cannot control himself once he starts, so he stopped completely. Wow what a great story. Would you like me to elaborate on how that stupid song x = -b +- the square root of b squared – 4(a)(c) all over 2a will forever be embedded in my brain. Or how about that abusive relationship I mentioned at the beginning? Did that caught some our your attentions. A previous boyfriend of mine verbally, emotionally, and mentally abused me. I was finally strong enough to realize that what he was saying was not true and ended the relationship before any physical damage was done. Well guess what, according to Google 60% of all women have experienced abuse from a spouse, boyfriend, or partner sometime in their lives. I know it is sad to say and it sickens me, but relationship abuse is in a way normal.

And yes, yes you heard right. I use to have red hair. I dyed it red thinking that it would add some pizzazz to my life. That I would be that hippie, free spirited girl with red hair. However, do you know how hard it is to find outfits that match bright red hair? I mean I was conformed to black and whites. In addition, if you type “red hair” into the Google search box you will unsurprisingly find thousand of pictures of girls with red hair.

I am a normal teenager, trying to find my place in this world just like all of you. In the America I will grow up in, I will grow up accepting the fact that I am normal person and knowing that I have nothing to prove to any of you. I do not have to alter my story just for the sake of impressing you guys. If you truly liked me for me, then being my normal self is impressive enough. Do not change your story to try to get a certain reaction from people. Live you beautifully normal lives and surround yourself with those who are impressed with it and love you for it.

Hi, I am Shelby. I am a normal 16-year-old teenager. Thanks for listening

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