Marina Amnatiadis has become more confident. 84951 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By XAVIER SMERDON
FOR one Hoppers Crossing student, simply talking to another person would cause her to stutter uncontrollably, meaning she shied away from trying to make friends.
Marina Amanatiadis from The Grange P-12 school in Hoppers Crossing could not imagine a time when she would be comfortable talking to one person, let alone a room filled with them.
“I couldn’t even look at someone without stuttering. I just couldn’t handle it,” Marina said.
“I used to be quite a shy person, presenting to a large audience was a struggle for me.”
This all changed, however, when the 13-year-old took part in the Wyndham youth public speaking competition, Wynspeak, about two months ago.
In its eighth year the event aims to improve the confidence and literary skills of contestants by providing a practical opportunity to speak publicly on a range of topics.
This year’s competition saw 57 students hailing from 17 secondary schools in Melbourne’s West battle for entry into the State Final of Rostrum Voice of Youth competition.
Marina entered her school’s debating club in preparation for the competition and managed to create a speech based around Victoria’s “kooky” laws.
After performing her speech she was then required to do an impromptu one with just four minutes to prepare.
Marina’s new found courage has inspired her to try and become a lawyer.
“The competition taught me not just how to speak in public, but how to trust people and make friends,” she said.
Marina said she hopes to enter the competition again next year.
