To our distinguished member of the board of judges, to my

fellow contenders, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I am Krystel Hautea, a grade10 student, representing the
Grade 10 curriculum.
I stand before you here today asking how can you transform
challenges and opportunities?
Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. They’re different for
every individual because everyone else is different. Everyone has
their own level of comfort with certain things and discomfort with
other things. It’s not the same from one person to the other. We all
have different skills. We all have different abilities.

Our most difficult life experiences often provide us with the

best possibilities to grow and expand. Take a good, hard look at any
problems you've had in the past. Are you better or worse off as a
result of those difficulties? Begin to see all problems as delayed
opportunities waiting to be taken advantage of.
Covid 19 pandemic lockdown posed a serious threat to my
knowledge and studies; however, I prepared to keep this threat at
bay. Though the schools were providing modular distance learning,
yet I planned to corroborate my distance learning with self-study
timetable. Since lockdown provided me considerable amount of
leisure time, I resolved to make best use of this time in self-
improvement. I made a list of some classic and self-help books to
read them in my free time. I didn’t allow myself to be tempted by TV
or mobile phones. I felt a unique confidence and contentment after I
had read just a few books.
Strive to see any roadblocks that you may encounter, on your
way to living your potential as merely “FUTURE OPPORTUNITY
GENERATORS”. When you train yourself to do this, you will
completely change your thought patterns around challenges. This
small shift in your thinking, will allow you to turn any challenges
(big or small) into new opportunities far sooner.
While you don't want to ignore reality, you can learn to deal
positively with negative people and events. There is no need to focus
on the negative when a shift in your attitude can bring you learning
and growth. This shift happens when you see any challenges or
hardships as merely an opportunity to gain new experiences and
knowledge.
 Thank the challenging people that cross your path, for
teaching you about yourself and for giving you the opportunity to
learn the benefits of a positive mindset. These CHALLENGING
PEOPLE, that are traditionally viewed so negatively offer an
opportunity for SPIRITUAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH and teach
you invaluable lessons that will help you to explore and utilize your
brilliance.
No one would be successful if problems and hurdles were the
deciding factor in how their life turned out. The only difference
between successful individuals and those who settle for mediocrity
is that the former regard obstacles as opportunities to conquer on
their route to success, whilst the latter perceive them as reasons to
give up.
Everything in life is a decision; you have the ability to choose
how you respond to any circumstances. You have the option of
facing any obstacles that come your way from a position of
helplessness, or you can react to these challenges from a position of
personal power. When you practice the latter, you are consciously
optimistic, and you believe that all problems will be temporary and
easily resolved.
Can we ever expect to live a life without obstacles? YES! It is a
choice to see anything as a challenge. If you change your
perspective on a "Challenge," it might become a DELAYED
OPPORTUNITY waiting to be taken advantage of.
Rise to the occasion and recognize that you have a one-of-a-
kind ability to mold your life. Look about you, especially within
yourself, for the kind of growth that will mold and complete you.
This challenge may appear impossible, but it will be well worth the
effort. Remember that even the tallest mountain may be scaled by
constructing twisting paths.
I would not have been able to extract so much out of life, if the
challenge of Covid 19 had not come. I have realized this truth that
in every challenge is the opportunity to achieve greater things in
life. We should not get scared or cowed down by the challenge
looming in front of us. Challenges are blessings in disguise; they
bring the best out of us.