When I was in elementary school, I had to do speech therapy because a lot of my teachers were concerned because I didn’t talk. That’s right, pretty much all through elementary school I never really spoke and I still remember the reason why- I was scared. I was scared of being judged and looking stupid. I would have rather said nothing than say something and get made fun of. I didn’t have a voice, and those were the worst years of my life.

In 5th grade, my teacher made us all stand up and take a story book and reenact it. I remember dreading it but I went along with it, and I was going to do my usual “don’t look up and don’t speak loud.” However, when I got up there I looked around and noticed my peers looked down, many of them started to work on other assignments, and some even began to partake in side conservations. I remember I got so agitated and I felt like they thought my voice wasn’t worth hearing, and I decided I was going to prove them wrong.

Little 5th grade me blossomed. She raised her voice and told the story of Little Red Riding Hood with everything in her and guess what? All eyes were placed on me and a few mouths were on their desk. They were stunned that the shy girl who hardly ever spoke a word just went up there and proved that she did have a voice. I ended up telling my story to the entire 5th grade class, and that's when I found it- my voice. That was the first time I found my voice.

The second time I found my voice actually happened just last semester during my communications class. In my communications class, we had to give three speeches. I did well on the first two speeches, but for the third one, I was ready to show my class what it was like using your voice to get a message across. Our last topic was to give a persuasive speech based on what you want to be when you grow up. I know when I grow up I want to work in government, specifically policy making. I knew that this speech was my chance to get as close to my dream as I ever could.

For my speech I pretended that I was a member of Congress and I was trying to pass a bill that would make getting citizenship easier for undocumented immigrants. I gave my speech and I gave it everything I had, I brought up what it’s like having friends and family with ties to undocumented immigrants and I didn’t hold anything back. At the end of my speech it was dead silent, and I looked around and found people crying, including my professor. It worked- my voice finally got through to people.

My message for my communications class about undocumented immigrants got through, and sure, my class only had 30 people, but those 30 people will always remember it. I have a message that I want the whole world to hear and I have a voice that one day will echo the corners everywhere.

To this day, I still get shy and I like to take comfort in my shell. However, the fear of judgement doesn’t hold me back anymore, and it should’t hold you back either. In life I have learned that people will judge you no matter what you do, and me, personally, I would rather be made fun for fighting for what I believe in then just sitting in silence.

One day I am going to go that shy little 5th grade girl and tell her “your voice matters.” I have always said that my goal in life isn't to be famous or even remembered. If, by the end of the day, I have inspired at least one person and reassured someone that their voice matters just as much as anyone else’s, then I have truly achieved everything I wanted and more. Everyone has a voice. For some people, they find their voice in public speaking, others in writing, some in art, and so many different places. So get out there, find your voice, because we all have a message that deserves to be heard.

We also have a unique story and who knows your story and message just might be someone's saving grace.