Oratory 2010 Wanda Ramirez Upward Bound

[Good morning ladies and gentlemen in the audience, I will now deliver my speech titled: The Different Journey] By Wanda Ramirez (1st place Olimpiadas Academicas Upward Bound 2010)
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”

The poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost highlights the decision process that many face in a daily basis; including teenagers like me. As many, I have taken many paths, in some I have stumbled and fallen several times. But today I stand and look beyond me taking advantage of every step by learning a little more every day.
The selection of available paths for the new generation seems unclear and uncertain from time to time.
But as teenagers we are also concern in topics such as
-Financial Security,
-Education & Health,
-Community & Family,
-Relationships & careers
But the reality is that:
The newspapers,
the Internet
and the broadcast news
constantly let us know of the teenagers’ poor judgment and few choices for the future.


Unfortunately, many criticize underestimate the lifestyles and behaviors of our age group.
However;
More individuals,
professionals
and good citizens
are indeed committed to help youngsters to acquire the tools and abilities that will sure lead them into the development of a better society.

Programs such as Upward Bound lend a hand to their participants in their preparation for college entrance by providing opportunities to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.
Their main goal is to increase the rate at which young high school students complete secondary education and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

TRIO Programs are a Federal outreach and student oriented services designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These entities plan, develop and carry out the assistance that make a difference.

Probably, many of us would not even make it through high school with out the involvement of these great programs.
-As a fact; we need our education services to work with young people to address underlying educational difficulties and give them the opportunity to re-engage with learning.

-As a community; we should open the channels of communication to teenagers to address our country.

-Give the young people the chance to speak out on a range of profoundly important issues and that will provide to every citizen with an extraordinary opportunity to see the future through our eyes.

-Helping young people also means helping Puerto Rico. Teenagers will inherit and shape this beloved island, so ensuring that we have a promising and happy future should be a national concern.

-We want a future where everyone is free to express themselves, openly without fear of disapproval.
-We want to help foster a culture of understanding between generations in an age when it seems like the most vulnerable members of society are also the most rejected and misunderstood.

-Today, I set a new journey. I have accomplished my childhood years by moving forward towards a new life stage. My senior year it’s almost over, however, a new episode opens. My parents love me, my teachers acknowledge my skills and above all I feel proud of myself.
-It’s not the end it’s just the beginning.

It’s time for us to change the negative messages;
to one that will lead us to a different path.
The one that declares:
-To set your standard high; because you deserver the best.
-To try for what you want and never settle for less.
-To believe in yourself, no matter what you choose,
-Because by keeping a winning you will never loose.
-Think about your destination, but don’t worry if you stray
-Because the most important thing is what you have learned along the way.
-Take all that you’ve become
-To be, all that you can be
-Above all, let your dreams set you free.

The fostering of our lives should conclude gracefully
As Robert Frost once said:
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Thank You!