The Voice of the Brave

 As a humanista, and one of the fiercest to talk boldly, Trishia Mae Mendoza wasn't always like this. Trishia Mae's journey with loving public speaking was not a straight path at all. She hated it. At first, joining any poem recitals and declamation speaking competition was never meant for any of her preferences in the field of academics. 

Years before, she despised any form of activities beyond writing. In accordance with her statement, "I have never seen myself stand in front of anybody for a whole minute without having my whole body frozen from fear." A contradiction of what she actually found herself loving years after. 

However, of course, it was never inevitable for a student. She stumbled across multiple errors. A stutter after another. Afraid of participating through recitations. Hence, Trishia slowly became used to it. 

During her First Holy Communion year, 2017, she was tasked to speaking during the Holy Mass. It was the Prayers of the Faithful. It surprised her when her mother said that she wasn't able to recognize the person who's talking in front. Her mom was never too tall to look over the shoulders of those who were sitting in front of her, that's why. Those words then sparked something from her. 

Across the pandemic, when classes were held virtually, Trishia Mae became a bit too glad about it. Especially when teachers do not require students to open their cameras during classes. This would only mean that she may speak during classes without having to see the glances and stares! Through her active participation, she garnered the attention of her teachers. Year 2022, when Valleygsahan became rampant. Her school decided to participate. Scrolling through the possible competitions, she's sure enough that she would again sit through this program once again. However, Maam Wennie Aquino—her Filipino teacher back then—convinced her to participate in Dagliang Talumpati. A competition that does not only require speaking. But crafting a speech in a span of minutes! Alongside her schoolmates who were also joining the competition, they did trainings in Brgy. Minante, Cauayan, with Maam Alison Jane Visaya's home catering the space for conducting the training. Expecting that she would actually not bag any awards, afraid of disappointing her coaches, and also by being the coward that she has always been, she blocked her coaches. As funny as it could be, she won 5th place for her first time. 

It was the 4th of February 2023. The season of Isabela Socio-Cultural Awareness Week. She then again joined a competition. Equipped with thorough training. This time, she knew she was confident. Her experiences have shaped her into thinking that she was capable of speaking in front of a crowd without having to mind her stutters. Garnering the highest place over 69 schools made her realize her greatest academic achievement—triumphantly winning over her fears.