ESF Chairman’s Award 2023

August 10th, 2024

The ESF Chairman’s Award was an event to celebrate leadership, service, academic excellence, and more. It was an event with many important people gathering, so when I signed up, I was extremely nervous, even just being a volunteer.

When I was assigned with the job to multi-task, I was happy to help in whichever way. Entering the school, I immediately looked for my friends, to seek someone I knew from the impressive and intimidating crowd. Eventually, I managed to find them, but was separated for short periods of time due to our different tasks.

Whenever we were separated, I was paranoid and worried. What if I said something wrong in front of the guests? What if I led them to the wrong room? Hundreds of things could have went wrong. I was stuck in that mindset for a brief period of time, until I saw my friend talking to another guest. She was sociable, and ready to strike up a conversation.

From that sight, I finally settled down, and told myself to get a grip. The guests were not here to critique me, and what’s the harm in having a decent conversation with them?

On the first attempt at a conversation, the guest didn’t speak much, so I wasn’t engaging enough, and I made note of that. From this experience, I know that being shy or nervous won’t get me anywhere. It doesn’t help me or anyone else, and sometimes, there is nothing I can do about the situation I am concerned about. I need to have more confidence in speaking to people, even those I find intimidating. I can benefit from practising confidence, public speaking, and engaging others. Even small talk can be practised, and this can come in handy many times.

Shyness won’t move on without a push.