Keynote Speech presented by Sandra S. Beckley
Wednesday, August 5, 1997
Principles of Public Speaking Special Awards Banquet
Extended Learning Institute
Northern Virginia Community College

Shipwrecked? It’s strictly up to you!

Good evening!

I would like to a take a few minutes now and ask you to embark with me on an imaginary journey. Please get comfortable…take a deep breath…close your eyes…

Imagine that you have been on a sailing trip for several days. You awaken the last morning of your trip. You’re comfortable in your cabin and are reluctant to get up. Suddenly, you hear footsteps on deck, so you arise, get dressed, and join your shipmates.

Once on deck, you notice the concerned look on the faces of your shipmates. You follow their gazes and see white, pristine beaches with palm trees gently swaying in the soft breeze.

The captain approaches and everyone turns her way. She begins to speak,

“During the night our boat ran aground and the keel is damaged. I’ve radioed a “MAYDAY” and am hopeful that a larger ship will hear our signal and take us back to the mainland. For now, we’re going to go ashore on this deserted island. There is fresh water, fruit and coconuts, and we have a few supplies remaining on the boat. Don’t despair. My crew and I have faced this same situation many times, and we’ve never lost a soul. While we’re here, we’ll explore and find our way around, and I’ll teach you all I know about surviving on this island.”

You listen to her reassurances and find yourself filled with anticipation and a little fear… But you step into the life raft with your shipmates and slowly row ashore.

Now, please open your eyes.

This little vignette is an attempt to take you back figuratively to your arrival in this class almost four months ago. As a fellow class member, I too am aware that at the beginning of this journey into public speaking, almost everyone in class was a stranger to one another, and our group association seemed to be based upon a scheduling necessity.

It is noteworthy that we quickly and easily began to support one another, learn from one another and trust one another. This is, indeed, analogous to a group of people, barely knowing one another, being stranded on an island waiting to be rescued.

There is no place for “grandstanding,” selfishness, or criticism in such a situation. The key to survival is helping one another, sharing information and resources, and being positive and supportive.

It is, therefore, fitting that the theme of our celebration tonight is “Shipwrecked on a Tropical Island.” The symbolism here is, not only have we survived this “island,” but tomorrow marks our return to the “mainland.”

As a result of our efforts and perseverance, we are better equipped to handle life events that call for public speaking skills. For example:

1. Delivering the eulogy at a dear friend’s memorial service;

2. Accepting a tribute given to you for saving the life of a child; or

3. Accepting an award at the PTA for your long hours of support and contribution.

In our professional life, we are now in possession of the skills:

1. to conduct an effective interview;

2. to appear at a press conference to announce a medical breakthrough in the treatment of cancer;

3. to deliver a demonstration speech to the students in a 9 th grade biology class, with the result that they are actually able to dissert a frog;

4. to present a persuasive speech before Congress on the hazards of pollution in our rivers and streams; or

5. to introduce the chairman of your company at the Annual Shareholders Conference.

Depending upon our career or path in life, we may find ourselves in the position of one or more of these, or other speaking situations.

Even though we’ve learned the lessons well and practiced the steps to effective speaking, it is important to remember Ms. Peck’s caution that regardless of how well we are prepared, there will be critics of our speeches, and we will probably make mistakes from time to time.

To this even, I would like to read to you words spoken by President Theodore Roosevelt,

It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat; who strives valiantly; we errs and many fail again, because there is not effort without error or shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who does know the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

We are empowered with knowledge, skill and experience in public speaking. These are the fruits of our labors that we will take with us from this island. But we must not forget that without the expertise and dedication of Nan Peck, and the assistance Barbara Hatheway has given, we would not be able to celebrate our achievement tonight.

In closing, I would like to share with you a brief poem entitled, “Believe in Yourself.” The author is unknown:

You are your greatest asset
There is nothing you can’t do.
No one can keep you from dreaming
Only you can stop them coming true.
Your achievements are determined
By the desire that you possess.
Believe in who you are.
Believe in what you do.
It’s not the quirk of fate
It’s strictly up to you.

From this moment on, each of you can step up to the podium with confidence and pride knowing that you survived the “shipwreck,” met the challenges before you with enthusiasm, devotion and courage, and emerged as a successful, experienced public speaker. You are to be commended.

Thank you.