The ORSIKA (school organization of PIKA) candidates experienced a unique public speaking exercise on May 16, 2025, where they had to give impromptu speeches in front of strangers during a traffic jam. Initially seen as a public speaking task, it became a moment of reflection on overcoming fears and the significance of courage.
Participants like Evelyn shared their nervousness, with her mistakenly saying ‘good morning’ in the afternoon, but realizing that courage is about taking the first step despite imperfections. Galuh reflected on her fear of being scolded but felt confident when no one criticized her during her speech. Saka, who went first, dealt with feelings of panic but learned that overthinking can hinder progress. They all recognized that facing experiences is crucial for managing feelings and thoughts.
The idea that self-confidence does not come naturally was evident. Isa, despite thorough preparation, found herself blank, realizing that self-mastery takes practice. Vania’s perspective changed when she saw her friends’ confidence, emphasizing that a supportive environment fosters growth. Kevin discovered that he could speak in public without needing familiar faces around, while Kenzi noted that doubts could hinder improvement.
Participants also discussed how labels and expectations hold them back. Joy faced self-limiting beliefs from her past as an introvert but found bravery by expressing her opinions spontaneously. Brigitta experienced freedom from worrying about others’ judgments, stating that “daring to be disliked is liberating.” Gio reflected on overcoming his shyness and past failures, realizing through this speech that he could be confident.
The importance of community support emerged strongly as participants shared how their surroundings influenced their experiences. Jenifer, who often overthinks, learned that people do not dwell on our mistakes, feeling proud rather than ashamed of performing. Mulky, while admitting some challenges during his speech, felt bolstered by his friends’ encouragement and aimed to support others in discovering their potential.
Although it lasted no more than a minute, the oration experience had a profound impact on the ORSIKA candidates. Each of them discovered something new about themselves such as courage, poise, spontaneity, and self-acceptance. It’s not just about performing and speaking in public, but they learnt to know themselves and others better.
The twelve candidates cultivate positivity, from fear to gratitude. This experience is a good start to learn to be a courageous leader. A leader is not the one who is fearless yet someone who dares to act despite fear. They wanted to learn to lead not because they could, but because they tried to be faithful to the task they were given. From the red light that afternoon, these young leaders-to-be have shown us a sign that they are ready to go further, not to be articulate, but to bring positive influence to their community.
Contributor: Sch. Y. K. Septian Kurniawan, S.J.
