Have you ever changed the way you dress, speak, or even laugh just to be accepted. I have. My name is Halen Fong, a grade 11 student who went from being someone who was constantly trying to fit in to standing here today confident myself and speaking to all of you.So why is staying true to yourself so difficult in today's society. I mean, every single day, our choices, what we wear, what we say, who we hang out with are all influenced by others. Whether it's trends, social media, your friends, or even your f ...

I mean, with all the shots and the pills and the drills, BODY POSITIVITY IS ON THE RISE, I think. Well, either way, I'm just happy to be here. My name is Desiree Design Deal, aka your big girl.So, I found a way to celebrate myself using wit and creativity, no matter what the world says. And I've defined it. Check this out.Big stands for beautiful, intelligent, and gifted. So, now that we've got that established, BIG GIRLS, MAKE SOME NOISE. FELLAS, I haven't forgot about you.Big boys, make some noise. That's ...

When you hear the word addict, what comes to mind. Did you think of someone with a needle in their arm. Maybe a bottle in their hand.Maybe you thought of a loved one you once tried to help. Did anybody think of me. My name is Aisha and I am an addict.I stand corrected. I am a recovered addict. You see, research says that addictions like mine are just as detrimental as any other addiction.Yet, it hides in plain sight. The irony of my story is that I just so happen to be an addictions counselor. You see, I ha ...

The way we see the world is the way we grow in it. That phrase is what really catches my attention as well as shaping this whole speech. This speech will showcase how we choose to see the world in our own perspective.How we see the world can practically change everything and can make a large impact on your personal growth. You see, a few months back is where I realized that statement is true. I was aiming at a very important and extreme goal of mine.a goal where if I achieved it, it would have felt like pie ...

To be honest, I'm a little bit nervous as always. I hope you guys enjoy your tea break and I hope you guys will enjoy my speech too. Okay, so we have a saying that being beautiful is a blessing.Unfortunately, I didn't have the luck. Or at least that was I used to think. Growing up from the seemingly caring words from the dearest people.Your thighs are as big as a pillar, said Grandma. You look like you gain weight, right. Said mommy.Have you ever heard these comments. Sounds very familiar, right. But to a y ...

Representation in Games - The lack of diverse representation in games, particularly for Black individuals, leads to feelings of erasure and self-discrepancy, impacting self-esteem [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] - Games are becoming crucial spaces for identity rehearsal, with over 90% of adolescents playing daily, making representation vital for healthy identity development [6][8][27] - The industry needs to move beyond limited options for Black hair and other cultural representations, recognizing the connection between hair, identity, culture, and empowerment [13][14][23][24][25] - AI in game development risks perpetuating biases if built on biased datasets, highlighting the need for inclusive data and diverse teams [15][16] Industry Initiatives and Solutions - Independent creators and partnerships, such as the Sims and L'Oreal's Dark and Lovely "Play in Color" campaign, demonstrate the possibility of bringing diverse hairstyles to millions [20][21] - Resources like Dove's "Code My Crown" provide free tools and data sets for creating Black hair textures, proving that the barrier to representation is systemic, not technical [22] - Game developers need to actively seek guidance and implement workflows that prioritize diverse representation, rather than avoiding it due to perceived difficulty [24][25] Global Perspective - Investment in Africa's gaming industry, which has surpassed $1 billion, is crucial for ensuring diverse stories and cultural representation, but currently faces limited access to funding and server usage [26] - Parents and carers should ensure young people have access to games that reflect their culture and heritage, as representation is fundamental to identity development [27]

Sometimes the smallest shift in perspective creates the biggest change in our life. This is true not just in theory but also in real lived experiences. Take Oprah Winfrey, one of the most successful women in the world, once admitted that she starved herself for nearly five months to just fit a standard of beauty.On live television, she wheeled out a wagon, carrying all the weight she had lost. But within a short period of time, she had gained it all back. Looking back, she said, "I thought I had failed. But ...

[Aplausos] Siempre nos estamos repitiendo la frase de que las personas no somos capaces de aprender en cabeza ajena. Y qué mejor plataforma que para cambiar la narrativa, para darnos cuenta que realmente podemos aprender de las historias de estas personas que hoy se paran aquí. la cantidad de problemas que nos ahorraríamos, dejaríamos de tropezar con la misma piedra.Imaginemos la gran caja de herramientas que tendríamos para afrontar todas las dificultades que estamos teniendo en esta vida. Porque eso sí, n ...

Self-Improvement and Mindset - The speaker emphasizes the importance of high self-esteem, distinguishing it from pride, and believing in one's potential to achieve great things, regardless of perceived weaknesses or rejections [1] - The speaker highlights that uniqueness is more valuable than trying to be different, as everyone is born unique [1] - The speaker suggests that one's caliber is determined by the people and ideas they keep in mind, influencing what they will achieve in life [2][3] Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Goals - The speaker shares a personal story of overcoming childhood challenges and physical limitations to excel in sports, academics, and co-curricular activities [1] - The speaker recounts joining the National Defence Academy with aspirations to join the special forces, facing an accident, and subsequently achieving success in various fields like adventure sports, writing, and social service [1] - The speaker achieved everything he wanted by the age of 38, publishing his autobiography at that age [1] Manipulation and Competition - The speaker acknowledges that manipulation and politics are natural human behaviors and should not be hated, but rather understood [1][2] - The speaker warns against competing with or being overly concerned with those who make fun of you, as it limits one's potential [2]

Hello everyone, my name is Zoya Rahman and today I will be talking about how pressure impacts society. Somewhere along the line, being good stopped being good enough. You can't just be smart.You have to be the top of your class. You can't just play a sport. You have to win.You can't just be okay looking. You have to be pretty. but not like you are trying too hard.It's like there's no room for average, no space to just be without constantly feeling the need to prove something. And if you're not always improv ...