How to Build Confidence When Speaking in Public

by Alicia, 7th grade

Public speaking can be intimidating, whether giving a presentation at work, making a toast at a wedding, or addressing a large audience. Even seasoned speakers feel nervous sometimes! However, confidence in public speaking isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can develop with practice and the right mindset. If speaking in front of others makes your heart race, don’t worry.

Here are some practical tips to help you build confidence and deliver your message effectively.
1. Prepare and Practice: One of the best ways to build confidence is to be well-prepared. Start by organizing your thoughts and creating a clear outline of what you want to say. If you’re giving a presentation, know your key points and practice them multiple times. Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or practice with a trusted friend or family member who can provide feedback. The more familiar you are with your speech, the more natural it will feel.
2. Focus on Your Message, Not Your Nerves: It’s easy to get caught up worrying about how you sound or whether people will judge you. Instead, shift your focus to your message. Consider why your speech matters and how it can help or inspire your audience. When you concentrate on delivering valuable information, your nerves will fade into the background.
3. Start Small and Build Up: If public speaking makes you nervous, start with smaller audiences. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or record yourself to analyze your delivery. Then, try speaking in front of a few friends, colleagues, or family members. Gradually increase your audience size by volunteering to present at work, joining a public speaking group like Toastmasters, or participating in community events. The more you expose yourself to speaking situations, the easier it becomes.
4. Use Positive Body Language: Your body language plays a great role in how confident you appear. Stand tall, maintain good posture and use hand gestures naturally. Making eye contact with different parts of the audience helps build connections and makes you seem more confident. Smiling can also make you feel more at ease and help you appear approachable.
5. Control Your Breathing: When you’re anxious, your breathing can become shallow and rapid, making you feel even more nervous. Practice slow, deep breathing before and during your speech to calm your nerves. Taking a deep breath before speaking can help you stay composed and avoid rushing through your words.
6. Expect Mistakes and Keep Going: Nobody is perfect, and even the best speakers make mistakes. If you stumble over your words or forget a point, don’t panic. Take a breath, collect your thoughts and continue. Most of the time, your audience won’t even notice small mistakes. The key is to recover gracefully and keep moving forward.
7. Believe in Yourself: Confidence comes with time and experience. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. Remind yourself that you are capable, and don’t let fear hold you back. Every time you speak in front of a crowd, you’re building valuable skills that will serve you in both personal and professional settings.

Public speaking is a powerful tool for communication, leadership and personal growth. With preparation, practice and the right mindset, you can become a confident and effective speaker. So take a deep breath, stand tall and go for it. You’ve got this!

National Animal Poison Prevention Week – Mar. 16 to Mar. 22

by Mateo, 11th grade

Toxicosis, or poisoning from the consumption of harmful materials, is one of the leading causes of unexpected pet deaths in the United States. Studies from various veterinary clinics and organizations around the country show that around 100,000 pets experience some form of animal poisoning yearly, culminating in about 10,000 deaths per year. As awful as that total may sound, the majority of these passings occur as a result of pet owners’ ignorance and illiteracy regarding animal care and are thus much more preventable than one might think. Observed annually in the third week of March, National Animal Poison Prevention Week works to combat the growing rate of animal toxicosis in the United States by providing pet owners with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the safety of their animals from harmful substances.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) founded this important event back in the 1960s, during an era when pet care was placed in the back of most people’s minds. A non-profit organization established in 1866, ASPCA is renowned for advancing and promoting animal welfare throughout the last 150 years. Although they are more known for their work on preventing animal cruelty, their overarching goal as a group is to change the way Americans treat their creature companions.

As such, when concerns of toxicosis among family pets began to rise across the nation, ASPCA pounced on the matter with National Animal Poison Prevention Week. Backed by veterinarians and later on other organizations, the observance spreads awareness to the public on the dangers that many common household objects pose to their pets (like medications, foods and plants) and provides valuable information on how to mitigate these hidden threats.

Nowadays, ASPCA is still going strong with its mission to extend the reach of these toxicosis prevention guidelines, and you can help continue their efforts during National Animal Poison Prevention Week. For one, you could share information on pet safety with anyone you know who may find it useful. The ASPCA website has tons of descriptive infographics and printables that serve as excellent guides to keeping your pet away from the possibility of toxicosis. From there, you could start implementing animal-friendly practices in your household, assuming you or someone in your family owns one.

Be especially wary of the items you leave unattended around your home; if you are not careful enough, chances are your pet may dig into that appealing chocolate bar you left on the dining table or that bottle of weed killer you left exposed in the garage. Do your pets a huge favor by practicing these protective measures and taking the extra time to remove any potential hazards from your pet’s reach.

National Animal Poison Prevention Week serves as a reminder to pet owners all over the country to pay extra attention to the unsuspecting threats around their residences that could be putting their animals at risk of toxicosis. Don’t allow your pet to become just another number in the statistics; make sure to go the extra mile for your dear animal’s security in honor of this eye-opening observance.

Ultimate Spring Break Bucket List!

by Taliha, 10th grade

A week of freedom, for students and teachers across Fullerton, spring break! After two months of school, we are finally rewarded for all our hard work! Although spring break is only 9 days, there is so much to explore in our city! Here are some exciting places to explore during your time off.

First, you must be sure to check out the Fullerton Museum Center! It is filled with many exhibits and programs showcasing the history of Fullerton. For the month of March, they are hosting a free, all-ages and all-skill-level creative activities workshop. Some of the events entail painting, drawing and sewing. This is a great activity for the entire family, and it is hosted every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm!

Next, one of the most famous parks in Fullerton, Hillcrest Park, is hosting its very own Camp Hillcrest! For children ages 6-12 years old, this will be an action-packed week, with so much to do! There will be special events, excursions, and themes that will make the week fly by! It will be hosted every day from 10 am-4 pm, and I can assure everyone that your child will not regret going!

Finally, if none of these options are feasible for you, I would recommend using this week to spend time with your family and friends. Whether it be playing board games, watching a movie, or cooking a new dish, I think the best thing you could do is to spend time with those you love.

Spring break is also a time when many people tend to do a “spring cleaning” so by summer, the house will be nice and tidy. Perhaps if you would like to make that into a fun activity over spring break, it could be a way to get the whole family involved, and maybe even go out to a nice dinner after as a reward for all the hard work!

Whatever it is you decide to do, I hope this spring break is fruitful for everyone! After all, this is the only week we will have off until summer, so I hope you all are able to make the most of it, and do the things you love!