MONROE - Most people struggle with public speaking - the hands that turn clammy, the stomach that turns somersaults, the dread of suddenly drawing a complete blank or worse. The anxiety is so widespread that numerous online sources consistently cite the fear of public speaking as our top phobia, even above the fear of death, the fear of spiders and the fear of heights.
It would stand to reason that someone who is deaf or hard of hearing - particularly a teenager - might be even more anxious about public speaking than a person with full hearing.
Apparently, Matilda Weeden didn't get that memo.
The 15-year-old sophomore at Monroe High School walked to the front of the conference room at the Super 8 motel in Monroe Saturday morning and calmly addressed the audience, explaining in a prepared speech why her sense of optimism is preparing her to meet her future goals.
Weeden was participating in the Southern Wisconsin Optimist Communication Contest, a public speaking contest for deaf and hard of hearing young people from across southern Wisconsin. The annual contest, open to junior high and high school students with a hearing loss of at least 40 decibels, drew four contestants, with a $2,500 college scholarship from Optimists International at stake.
Each contestant gave a 4- to 5-minute speech in whatever format they were most comfortable: verbally or in conjunction with sign language. The four contestants Saturday each gave their speeches verbally, as an interpreter provided the sign language equivalent.
Each contestant addressed the topic "How my optimism will help me press on to greater achievements in the future," a fitting topic, given the contest is sponsored by the Optimists, an international service organization that works to help children.
The contest for deaf and hard of hearing students helps level the playing field, according to Donna Cairy, the contest organizer. Cairy, a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students at Monroe Middle and High schools, has organized the contest for the past 10 years.
"It gives equal access to scholarship money," she said. The Optimists run a similar speaking contest for hearing students, and while deaf or hard of hearing students can compete in that contest, they could potentially be marked down for the quality of their speaking voice. "They can't hear themselves," Cairy said, and the alternative contest gives those with a hearing problem the same opportunity to win the same amount of money for college.
Weeden said the sense of optimism in her own life has served her well: It has helped her have confidence, be a better friend and will ultimately help her to reach her goals.
"As a leader my optimism has helped me become the governor of the Southern Wisconsin Junior Optimist and Octagon clubs," she said in her speech, noting that a positive outlook gave her the confidence to run for governor. She credits family friend Gabrielle Breadon with encouraging her to get involved with the Junior Optimist group.
The leadership skills she's developed will serve her well, she said. In July, Weeden plans to leave for a year of studying abroad in Australia. Her mother, Joann Weeden, is a native of Australia, and Matilda Weeden will be staying with relatives she hasn't met. In her speech, Weeden acknowledged being away from family and friends won't be easy but "with an optimistic attitude I know that I can make new friends and advocate for myself."
Weeden said she wasn't too nervous as the contest, her first time competing, approached.
"I procrastinated," she admitted after the competition. "I wrote most of it (the speech) yesterday." She ran through the speech a few times to make sure she was within the time constraints, but said she wasn't overly nervous or apprehensive about standing up and delivering her message.
Ultimately, judges chose another contestant, Michaela Mulroe, as the winner. Mulroe is a senior at Monona Grove High School.
But it's likely not the last time Weeden will be speaking publicly. Cairy said Weeden already plans to enter again.
And Weeden will need the experience if she pursues her career goal of working for the United Nations.
"I love history, I love politics," she said. "I was in the Model U.N. for the past two years. It was so much fun."
She touched on her dream for the future in her speech:
"My optimism has helped me to communicate with other delegates to create resolutions and pass them. Hopefully, someday I can use my optimism in the real United Nations to create real resolutions that will help whole countries and individual people."
It would stand to reason that someone who is deaf or hard of hearing - particularly a teenager - might be even more anxious about public speaking than a person with full hearing.
Apparently, Matilda Weeden didn't get that memo.
The 15-year-old sophomore at Monroe High School walked to the front of the conference room at the Super 8 motel in Monroe Saturday morning and calmly addressed the audience, explaining in a prepared speech why her sense of optimism is preparing her to meet her future goals.
Weeden was participating in the Southern Wisconsin Optimist Communication Contest, a public speaking contest for deaf and hard of hearing young people from across southern Wisconsin. The annual contest, open to junior high and high school students with a hearing loss of at least 40 decibels, drew four contestants, with a $2,500 college scholarship from Optimists International at stake.
Each contestant gave a 4- to 5-minute speech in whatever format they were most comfortable: verbally or in conjunction with sign language. The four contestants Saturday each gave their speeches verbally, as an interpreter provided the sign language equivalent.
Each contestant addressed the topic "How my optimism will help me press on to greater achievements in the future," a fitting topic, given the contest is sponsored by the Optimists, an international service organization that works to help children.
The contest for deaf and hard of hearing students helps level the playing field, according to Donna Cairy, the contest organizer. Cairy, a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students at Monroe Middle and High schools, has organized the contest for the past 10 years.
"It gives equal access to scholarship money," she said. The Optimists run a similar speaking contest for hearing students, and while deaf or hard of hearing students can compete in that contest, they could potentially be marked down for the quality of their speaking voice. "They can't hear themselves," Cairy said, and the alternative contest gives those with a hearing problem the same opportunity to win the same amount of money for college.
Weeden said the sense of optimism in her own life has served her well: It has helped her have confidence, be a better friend and will ultimately help her to reach her goals.
"As a leader my optimism has helped me become the governor of the Southern Wisconsin Junior Optimist and Octagon clubs," she said in her speech, noting that a positive outlook gave her the confidence to run for governor. She credits family friend Gabrielle Breadon with encouraging her to get involved with the Junior Optimist group.
The leadership skills she's developed will serve her well, she said. In July, Weeden plans to leave for a year of studying abroad in Australia. Her mother, Joann Weeden, is a native of Australia, and Matilda Weeden will be staying with relatives she hasn't met. In her speech, Weeden acknowledged being away from family and friends won't be easy but "with an optimistic attitude I know that I can make new friends and advocate for myself."
Weeden said she wasn't too nervous as the contest, her first time competing, approached.
"I procrastinated," she admitted after the competition. "I wrote most of it (the speech) yesterday." She ran through the speech a few times to make sure she was within the time constraints, but said she wasn't overly nervous or apprehensive about standing up and delivering her message.
Ultimately, judges chose another contestant, Michaela Mulroe, as the winner. Mulroe is a senior at Monona Grove High School.
But it's likely not the last time Weeden will be speaking publicly. Cairy said Weeden already plans to enter again.
And Weeden will need the experience if she pursues her career goal of working for the United Nations.
"I love history, I love politics," she said. "I was in the Model U.N. for the past two years. It was so much fun."
She touched on her dream for the future in her speech:
"My optimism has helped me to communicate with other delegates to create resolutions and pass them. Hopefully, someday I can use my optimism in the real United Nations to create real resolutions that will help whole countries and individual people."