You would never know it now, but during sixth grade parent-teacher interviews, my parents learned I hadn’t spoken a single word in class. It took a month of serious coaching before I talked to my teacher. Another month passed before my hand went up in front of my peers. I was not just a “quiet kid”. I lived with a level of anxiety that made every day feel like a challenge. I am incredibly grateful for my time completing Speechcraft with Gaynor Bereza. This program is a gentle, encouraging skill building program that helped me have the confidence to speak out about things that matter to me. I learned to think on my feet and throw my enthusiasm behind what I am passionate about. Speechcraft opened doors for me that I would never have imagined. Public speaking, Choir, theatre, even debate have become an important part of my life because I was given the gift of confidence through Speechcraft.