Daniyal Mian, Class of 2025

I first heard of the W.W. Fenn speaking contest early in my sixth grade year. I was immediately overcome with a feeling of anxiety and nervousness. For most of my life I have been shy. I  was uncomfortable speaking with people I did not know, and in elementary school participating in the class play was always very stressful. W.W. Fenn immediately seemed like my personal kryptonite; it was a perfect mix of everything that scared me. Deep down I hoped no one would vote for me so I could stay in a place where I was comfortable.

Nevertheless, I took the competition seriously and worked hard to prepare. I chose to declaim the opening chapter from the novel Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper, an inspirational story about life from the perspective of a girl with cerebral palsy and her will to speak. When the day of the competition came, I was so nervous and for a moment I thought it might be better to give up. Then I thought of my piece, about the power of voice from the perspective of someone who could not speak. What a waste it would be if I didn’t try. So what if I was nervous. Let my voice be heard! Looking around the room, I realized that no one would laugh if I made a mistake or forgot my lines. Everyone was supporting each other. When my turn came, I went to the front of the class, and declaimed my piece, standing tall, projecting my voice, and speaking with power.  At the end of the period, I realized that I was moving on.

Over the course of the next few weeks, I prepared carefully for the second round. Middle school winners of the first round would come together to compete in front of the entire sixth and seventh grades. I was even more nervous than before and was sure that I would stutter or forget my lines on stage with so many people sitting before me. But for the second time in as many weeks, I knew that I was capable. I would not succeed if I focused on the negative aspects. When it was my turn to speak, I took a deep breath, and reminded myself I was in control, and that I had declaimed my piece hundreds of times before. I opened my mouth and smiled with confidence. “Words. I’m surrounded by thousands of words…” My semifinal declamation was one of my most memorable moments. I would go on to the schoolwide finals where I gave my best effort, but would ultimately fall short. To me, that did not even matter. I was proud I tried my hardest, and put myself out there. 

Looking back, the 2022 W.W. Fenn speaking contest was one of the most important experiences of my life; it helped me find confidence and courage. Since then I have been an admissions panelist and tour guide, given presentations at All School meetings on a variety of topics, ran for senate, performed in the Upper School play, and even made it back to the W.W Fenn finals this year, where I scored an Honorable Mention. 

To William Wallace Fenn 

I am forever grateful.