While checking his e-mail at Saginaw Valley State University, Tyler Kwapis came across an e-mail blast with the headline: ‘Win $400: Public Speaking Competition.?
Kwapis, a 2015 Oxford High School graduate with a passion for public speaking, decided to register for it.
‘They were very shocked a freshman was registering and they just didn’t expect it,? he said. ‘So, I thought that was pretty cool I was one of the only freshmen that were there.?
The competition is called the Sims Public Speaking Competition. It began in 1981.
According to a press release, the competition is endowed by Larry and Linda Sims, long-time donors to the university. The contestants were required to write an original persuasive speech of five to eight minutes in length.
Kwapis was one of 30 students who participated in the event, noting that it was very different than any other speaking engagement he has done.
‘There were three rounds and you were in front of an audience of eight people,? he said.
Kwapis’s speech was on ‘Five quotes that can change the world.? They included:
n ‘Youth are the leaders of tomorrow.?
n ‘A light can light 1,000 other candles and its flame will not be diminished?
n ‘Most people view second place as a first loser, when really it is the first mentor.?
n ‘The grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.?
n And finally an original quote of his own ‘Most people’s goal in life is to change the world, I just want to change someone’s (life).?
These are all quotes that Kwapis feels apply to leadership, life and bettering one’s self.
‘I had a lot of fun with it. I got up there and I did my thing and everybody seemed to enjoy it and it paid off,? he added. ‘I ended up getting the highest individual score of the competition.?
He noted there are two judges per round. However, in the second round, one of the judges, according to Kwapis, ‘didn’t quite see eye-to-eye? on his topic and gave him the lowest score possible.
‘That kind of disqualified me from moving on to the finals,? he said. ‘She said my speech was ‘too motivational.??
And while he was frustrated at first for being disqualified in the second round, Kwapis noted the competition was an ‘eye-opening experience.?
‘It allowed me to connect with other people who are really passionate about (public) speaking,? he added. ‘Even though the majority of them were there for extra-credit (in a class), there were quite a few people who were there because they truly love public speaking and it was really cool to make those connections because not a lot of teenagers like to (speak in public).?
Because of his involvement in the competition, Kwapis said he’s also been invited to join the forensics debate team, which would give him more experience.
Participating in the speech competition got Kwapis thinking about becoming a motivational speaker.
On the advice of his resident director, who’s become a mentor to him, he reached out to Motivational Speaker Sam Glenn via e-mail. Kwapis expressed his appreciation for Glenn’s speaking style and let him know he has an interest in the business.
‘He’s a motivational speaker, but he’s also an artist, so he combines the two and it’s absolutely crazy,? Kwapis said. ‘He uses humor and he’s engaging and he’s a genuine guy.?
Kwapis said he was excited when he received an e-mail back from Glenn within the hour of sending his message to him.
The reply read: ‘Thank you so much. Here is a book I read before I started this entire journey. You should read this book, tell me what you think about it and we’ll see if we can get you started.??
The book Glenn recommended was ‘Speak for a Living? by Ann Bruce.
‘I am super excited to read it,? he said.
While he’s currently majoring in nursing, Kwapis will tell you his major is ‘people.?
‘I want to help people,? he said. ‘I want to make an impact on this world.?
Kwapis sees motivational speaking as a way to help pay for his college education. He would like to go to local middle and high schools and address subjects like bullying, social media and leadership.
‘If I can make an impact and happen to make money along the way, too, that would be the perfect opportunity for me,? he added. ‘Inspiring those kids to become the next best leaders, I don’t think there could be a more rewarding job.?
As far as college goes, Kwapis gives it a five-star rating and said he would ‘definitely recommend it to a friend.?
He believes he is where he is today because of the opportunities that were given to him growing up in Oxford.
‘Thank you to everyone in Oxford for allowing me to have the opportunities that I have and the mentorship that I have had,? he said. ‘It’s really been quite the ride and I am really thankful.?