Ever since I was a child, I was taught to listen and accept others say without

expressing my own. While the lack of freedom of speech did not become an issue
at home where my family would welcome my thoughts and ideas, it became to
bother me once I started school where I realized that my voice was chained by my
age. I was not seen as someone mature enough to speak which made me angry.
When I was first introduced to debates, I found a way to vent my repressed
anger but it did not last permanently. Soon the anger transformed into dedication
for developing and engaging in an effective argument since I was finally allowed a
platform where I could voice my opinions. This platform was introduced to me by
my best friends sister. I once went to her frustrated about life, and how I feel like I
dont have a voice and nobody even care about all what I have inside me. I also
complained about how I started to be shy, and not being able to express myself
because of what the society did to me. She immidetly told me, Did you try
debating? by then I did not know what is it so I asked about it, and she explained
to me how debates give us a place to give our opinions. I fall in love with the idea
of being someone with a voice. Even though I struggled to be heard in school, I
decided to pursue my interest by organizing a debate competition between students
and teachers. I, soon, came to realize that debating was the channel through which
I communicated my thoughts, even if they were not word-to-word. I landed on the

conclusion that as long as my brain continues to generate ideas, I will always find
my way around to voice them and spread them, in spite of the suppression.
I came forward with this idea to my English teacher, and her response was
very encouraging. Actually, I still remember what she said with a smile, I have
always believed in you, I know you can make it. What she said made me even
more motivated to start. Therefore, I went ahead and encouraged students from
each grade to participate regardless of their age group. The purpose of this
competition was to motivate signify that age should not stop us from being
confident enough to voice our opinions. Consequently, the motion for the debates
was This House would allow parents to monitor their childrens online and mobile
communication, because it focused on population of different age groups (parents
and children) and allowed both a chance to engage in a healthy argument a
luxury which students were normally deprived from.
The competition turned out to be very rich in experience for myself,
students, and the teachers. Since teachers who participated were also parents, they
and students realized that there are always two sides of argument and we have to
respect both sides without victimizing ourselves or others. I learned that I may or
may not be able to convince the opposition but it should not let me hate them.
Instead, I should be grateful because had it not been for them, I would not have
been able to explore the issue from different perspectives.

The competition was won by us which was a direct investment in our

confidence. We were now more motivated and convinced than ever that maturity,
wisdom, and knowledge is not limited by age, and we should not let it define our
boundaries and limit our visions. Even though we won, my mission was not so.
The goal was for proving our faculty that we should be granted freedom of speech
regardless of our class grade level.
Building up to these goals and with desire to learn and improve, I continued
pursuing debates and public speaking opportunities until our high school team won
was ranked first in Annual Debates Competition 2014 and 2015. However, I have
not stopped yet.
I am strong believer of spreading knowledge and encouraging talents;
therefore, I started coaching students in debates, which is one of the
accomplishments I feel most proud of. Debates have always left me in a passionate
suspicion where I have always struggled in concluding the strength and validity of
my argument, which is why I enjoy coaching to explore myself while guiding
others. Moreover, I have realized that debates have brought up the hidden
researcher in me by tempting me with the greed of building a better argument to do
intense research.

Therefore, I would say that debates have had been a very important
developer of my identity as a bold speaker, dedicated coach, and inspired learner.