Fulfilling your dreams is often a multi step process. There are many tasks and achievements that we all strive to concur in order to get closer to a dream. I have always enjoyed public speaking and the performing arts. A personal dream that I have for myself is to always be a supporter and advocate of the arts. I have been competing in debate competitions for about a year and a half now, something that I very much enjoy. I consider debate to be not only a hobby and a passion of mine, but also a performing art that I must continually practice at to perfect my performances in competitions.
Last year, after participating in about ten after school and weekend debate competitions of which I did very well , I decided to take a big step and register myself in a state championship competition. Going into the competition, I had the mind set of doing my best and simply trying to offer myself the most challenging and exciting experience as possible. I was by no means expecting to make it to the finals round and had not even considered the idea of making it into the top six. Arriving at the competition, I knew that I was up against about 30-50 competitors and would have to get through five rounds of pretty draining recitation. After eight hours of a long and hard day of debate, the list of the six top competitors in the final round was posted. I was completely and totally shocked when I saw that MY name was on the list! I knew that no matter what I would now receive at least 6th place in a state championship competition, and I was thrilled. I calmed myself down and went to my final round where every single competitor was fantastic. About an hour later, I sat with my family and team as I waited for my category of debate to be called up during the award ceremony. The top six competitors were called to the stage and lined up as they called out the awards in reverse order. One by one, I watched and listened in amazement as my name was continuously not called for sixth, fifth, fourth or third place. The moment came as the announcer said, "And in first place, we have...Jordan Paurowski!" I couldn't believe it. I had just become the top declamation competitor in the entire state of Florida. After the awards, I congratulated my fellow competitors and celebrated with my family for the rest of the night. Winning that competition was a huge accomplishment, and kept me right on the path of following my dreams.
I have posted a link to My Greatest Accomplishment video at the top of this post.
I have posted a link to My Greatest Accomplishment video at the top of this post.
Childhood Dream #3: Winning a big trophy for a competition. I have now achieved that dream. :)
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