A Great Afternoon Public Speaking at Mary Fix Catholic School Today
As I arrived at Mary Fix Catholic School this afternoon, I was warmly welcomed by the wonderful Ms. Brancalion, Elementary Guidance and Experiential Learning Teacher. We were both happy to see each other, as we have seen one another, in prior school engagements, she has beautifully organized, where she has graciously invited me as a Guest Speaker too.
While in the school foyer, Ms. Brancalion went to get Ms. Duke, the principal, from her office to come out to meet me. Ms. Duke came out into the foyer. She was very pleased to meet me, and she, too, warmly welcomed me to her school. She told me that I would be presenting to all the grade five to eight students in the gymnasium. I was delighted.
We all went into the gymnasium together. Ms. Brancalion stayed with us in the gym, while Ms. Duke had to get back to the office. Shortly thereafter, a few grade eight students, Lucas, Anthony and Riley came to help set up the projector, screen and sound. Matthew, another grade eight student joined them minutes later and he helped too. Before long, the young men had everything set up and working optimally for my Public Speaking presentation.
After lunch, the students started to populate the gymnasium. I was happy to see them all. Before starting my presentation, Ms. Duke spoke. She shared with all the students how Ms. Brancalion, has done so much great work at her school for her students; and today it included inviting me as a guest speaker to share in my important messages. Ms. Brancalion also spoke. She was happy to introduce me. She gave a succinct brief introduction. She mentioned, how I have presented at her other schools and how well my presentation is always received. I was flattered.
During my Public Speaking presentation, I was very happy by all the attentive students. For the question period, which immediately followed, a grade eight student, Nicole, volunteered to wear my Rogers FM Microphone and to hold the wireless microphone, so everyone can hear each other’s questions. Nicole was fantastic as she gracefully moved about the room, as students politely raised their hands to ask me questions. It was an enthusiastic and engaged audience. Genuinely inquisitive, students asked many questions. I was pleased to answer them.
Ms. Duke concluded with very kind remarks. She highlighted the importance of my messages, she wished me well and thanked me for being such an inspiration. I was very happy by all her eloquent words. In my heart, I was honoured to be invited to her school.
Before the students left the gymnasium, they completed their Exit Tickets. Here are excerpts from some of these:
Today I heard/saw… “That with her disability, she tries to make the best of it.”
This made me think… “No matter how different we are, were still the same.”
Now, I wonder… “What she will do next.”
Today I heard/saw… “her inspirational story.”
This made me think… “that we are all equal and special in our own way”
Now, I wonder… “How difficult life is with a disability”
Today I heard/saw… “that anything is possible, and everyone can do great things”
This made me think… “that everyone should be accepted”
Now, I wonder… “If it’s hard having a disability”
Today I heard/saw… “today I heard about a challenges life”
This made me think… “this made me think that God is so kind to us and we need to accept”
Now, I wonder… “Now I wonder that we need to accept each other and love each other. I love your presentation 😊”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard about a wonderful girl who has a great message to spread to kids.”
This made me think… “About how strong this girl is! How smart she must be!! What I can do to show that we are all equal, and we are all the same in Jesus’ eyes!!!”
Now, I wonder… “if she has a idol. How old she is. Does she have any pets? Do you have any close friends?”
Today I heard/saw… “we can all be helpful for one another”
This made me think… “we can change the world”
Now, I wonder… “That we are all amazing.”
Today I heard/saw… “A girl that inspires everyone.”
This made me think… “everyone is awesome”
Now, I wonder… “If I can help people more”
Today I heard/saw… “That a girl named Giselle learned everything we learned.”
This made me think… “that it was like a miracle”
Now, I wonder… “how Giselle does everything.”
Today I heard/saw… “an inspirational story, Public Speaker”
This made me think… “that you can do anything you want even if you have a disability”
Now, I wonder… “how it feels to have a disability.”
Today I heard/saw… “Don’t let people bring you down.”
This made me think… “You are capable of anything”
Now, I wonder… “how are you so strong”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle who has inspired me & how she’s overcome challenges”
This made me think… “That no one is alone and we are all in this together”
Now, I wonder… “Why would anyone bully, Everyone is equal, We should help each other!”
Today I heard/saw… “A Public Speaker with an amazing story to tell!!”
This made me think… “that I should be thankful and know that I’m not alone!”
Now, I wonder… “how can one person make a huge difference and change your look on people”
Today I heard/saw… “today I heard some words of wisdom of a strong girl.”
This made me think… “more about others than myself”
Today I heard/saw… “No matter what people go through you can still do it.”
This made me think… “Don’t let people bother you.”
Now, I wonder… “How are you so inspiring to young kids.”
Today I heard/saw… “That even with disabilities you can live your life to the fullest.”
This made me think… “that I and everyone can do great things”
Now, I wonder… “What it feels to have disabilities.”
Today I heard/saw… “About an amazing story about how there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.”
This made me think… “I have to accept people for they are.”
Now, I wonder… “if there are more people like Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “That you should be yourself”
This made me think… “just because your different doesn’t mean you don’t matter”
Now, I wonder… “should we treat others with more respect kindness? XOXO Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard that everyone is important.”
This made me think… “This made me think that no one should bully other people”
Now, I wonder… “I wonder why people bully others.”
Today I heard/saw… “A story about a girl who has a disability but doesn’t let that stop her from what she is doing.”
This made me think… “What we can do to make a difference In being kind to one another”
Now, I wonder… “What our world would be like if everyone made a difference.”
Today I heard/saw… “Amazing info. Even if your different it doesn’t matter.”
This made me think… “This made me think nobody shapes me I shape me.”
Now, I wonder… “What more can I do. Also what other thing can I do to change the world”
Today I heard/saw… “That it is okay to make mistakes.”
This made me think… “Why can’t we treat people with disabilities normally”
Now, I wonder… “How I can help others in the best way I can.”
Today I heard/saw… “Anything is possible and ask Jesus for help”
This made me think… “that everyone should be accepted”
Now, I wonder… “how one person can make such a huge difference”
Today I heard/saw… “about a young public speaker who can truly motivate.”
This made me think… “life isn’t as difficult as you may think .”
Now, I wonder… “What she will be up to next”
Today I heard/saw… “how believing in yourself and never giving up pays off.”
This made me think… “about how strong some people truly are and how lucky we are”
Now, I wonder… “What can I do? How can I make a difference in peoples lives?”
Today I heard/saw… “that Giselle had many obstacles to go through. It warmed my heart because she encourages us.”
This made me think… “that all of us are special the way we are.”
Now, I wonder… “how it feels to go through that obstacle.”
Today I heard/saw… “I saw a presentation from a lady and she taught us anything is possible.”
This made me think… “I should never give up.”
Now, I wonder… “how I can help more.”
Today I heard/saw… “about an inspirational public speaker”
This made me think… “about the future.”
Now, I wonder… “What the future holds for me..”
Today I heard/saw… “That we cannot face all our problems on our own and we need help.”
This made me think… “That I should help more
Today I heard/saw… “I heard a lot of inspiring words”
This made me think… “We can all make a difference”
Now, I wonder… “How can we make a difference?”
Today I heard/saw… “how Giselle has overcome challenges and inspired others.”
This made me think… “Almost how being positive can change a situation..”
Now, I wonder… “If being negative makes a situation seem worse than it is.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard how she overcame her challenges.”
This made me think… “that no one has the right to judge others”
Now, I wonder… “How can I become a nicer person?”
Before leaving the school, we took a few pictures in the gym and in the main foyer, where the especially beautiful statue of the Blessed Crowned Mother Mary stood amongst a bed of glorious, colourful vibrant and beautiful flowers. We said our good-byes and our sincere thanks to Ms. Brancalion and Ms. Duke. It was such an awesome afternoon and opportunity to be at Mary Fix Catholic School today amongst such friendly staff and students.
