It's a common fear:you step up to a podium to deliver a speech only to freeze and choke on a tightening throat, leaving whatever important message you were intent on delivering unsaid.
Those living with this fear can learn a thing or two from Squamish air cadet Jama Hanson.
Hanson won the bronze medal at the Regional Effective Speaking Competition in Vancouver on Saturday, March 20 thanks to her ease in front of crowds.
"The competition was really exciting but it wasn't as big as I was expecting, so I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be," said Hanson.
She also got an edge over others through her keen interest in aviation and unique response to the question "Would you be rather a movie star or an athlete?"
Hanson was only two of 11 competitors who chose movie star, saying it carries more influence among the younger generation, which she would use to set a good example by helping charities around the world.
Despite being docked points because her first prepared speech was too long, she placed third in the competition. Hanson was very satisfied with her performance.
"I still got bronze so I'm really happy," she said. "I told myself I was going to get bronze and I did it."
Her mother, Jude Goodwin, said the knowledge her daughter displayed with regards to aviation also helped her gain points.
"I think her prepared topic really wowed the judges and her second impressed them with its originality," she said.
Hanson's speech entitled "What will be the next advancement in aviation?" discussed immediate and long-term improvements. She named autonomous Unmaned Aero Vehicles (UAV), capable of sustained flight without a pilot or controller, as an important step in aviation.
"They can stay in the air without anyone controlling it either from within or from the ground," she said. "They operate on pre-programmed flight plans."
UAVs were originally designed for situations considered too dangerous for humans to be on board such as warfare and avalanche searches.
"The use I think is most interesting is using UAVs for re-pollination of flowers that have been neglected by dwindling bee species," said Hanson.
Aviation is one Jama's favorite subjects because of her keen interest in becoming an astrophysicist. At 15 years old, she is committed to doing well in school and attending science camps during the summer break.
"I brought anti-gravitational coupling into my speech because that really interests me - space travel and the travel of space."
Hanson said she was also excited to be invited to the officer's nest where Royal Canadian Air Cadet officers normally hold important meetings.
"It was pretty cool because there were tons of trophies and plaques and awards on the wall."
Hanson represented 835 Griffin Squadron, based in Squamish. The effective speaking program is designed to provide air cadets with the opportunity to increase their self-confidence and their ability to reason, organize and express ideas.
"Being an air cadet has definitely made me more confident," she said. "It's a very tightly knit and diverse group, and I've made a ton of new friends that I hang out with at school and we go to events together."
Effective speaking is just one of the many Air Cadet programs. Others include drill, survival, principals of flight, navigation, first aid, ground school and more.
Getting the bronze medal has only inspired Hanson to work harder for next year's competition.
"Next year I'm going for gold!"
