Joshua Robinson

7th Grade
Becky Williams
M.D. Roberts Middle School
Jonesboro, Georgia

Breaking Barriers

“I am not here for popularity. I am here because I care about our students, and I will do
anything in my power to-,” I said as I looked into the crowd of students in front of me.

“Anything in my power to-” I started again. “Anything in my power to- anything in my

power to.” What am I saying? I thought to myself.

It was my last chance to prove myself worthy of being Student Council Vice President,
and I was ruining my speech.

“U-um I will d-do anything in my power to ensure that the students are happy,” I
stuttered deciding to cut off my speech. “V-vote J-Joshua R-Robinson for S-Student C-Council
V-VP.”

After 10 long years, I had finally found my Achilles Heel: stage fright. That year I
enrolled in speech class, a class that was provided at my school that helped students who had
speech impediments. With persistence, I endured the classes and the insults that people were
throwing at me, but I didn’t give up. During the summer after fourth grade everything changed.

When I moved from Alabama to Georgia, I was in a totally area where the dialect and
surroundings were different, but I stayed persistent. That year during 5th grade made my speech
even worse. I was shyer and I stuttered more than ever, and to make matters worse there wasn’t a
speech impediment class offered at that school! Nevertheless when I moved to Clayton County
in 6th grade, I made it my goal to overcome my speech problems. Even though there weren’t any
speech classes at my middle school there were opportunities to improve my speech.

I joined the morning announcements as the news anchor. I messed up many times, but for
each mistake I took a small baby step toward my goal. Since I won the science fair and went on
to the regional and state fair, I had even more chances to speak in front of other people. I admit
that I was scared, but as a wise person in my life once said, “Each time we face our fear, we gain
strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”

In 7th grade, I was invited to speak at a motivational rally to get students interested in
science fair. This is what I’ve been working for! I thought. I studied my speech, but there was no
use. I didn’t know it yet, but in a week at the rally, I wouldn’t even need it. When the day of the
rally was here, I was freaking out. It was like 4th grade all over again. Finally it was my turn to
speak. Summoning all of my courage, I headed towards the podium. When I got to the podium, I
found my paper and started reading.
 Joshua Robinson
7th Grade
Becky Williams
M.D. Roberts Middle School
Jonesboro, Georgia

“Good afternoon everybody, my name is Joshua Robinson. Last year I got interested in
something that I hope all of you will be in- Science Fair. I won at my school, and then moved on
to the Regional Fair, and finally I was at the State Fair. It’s an awesome experience that I hope
you all get to experience. It really changed my attitude about-”

That’s when it started. “A-About m-my science fair p-project.”

Not again. I thought. I crumbled up the paper and looked out again at the audience. I
wasn’t going to let fear beat me. I once read “You block your dream when you allow your fear to
grow bigger than your faith.”

“I come to you today, telling you that it is a wonderful experience. I’m not going to
sugar coat anything telling you that it was easy. It is still a lot of work. And let’s face it- without
the sweat and tears the project is empty. But the benefits you gain from it are much more than
you could ever wish for.”

With that I ended my talk and stepped off the stage. From that day forward I’ve still had
speech problems, but after all no one’s perfect. The important part is that with courage and
persistence I overcame the biggest barrier I’ve ever faced in my life and left it shattered in many
pieces behind me.