Gallaudet National Essay Contest
Commendable		My Turning Point By Ann Nguyen Ngo North High School; Torrance, California

	Ann Nguyen Ngo

As a hearing-impaired student since kindergarten, I have always been a good follower who never realized that I also had the qualifications of a leader—until I attended the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C. At this conference, I discovered myself as a person who had the ability to voice her opinions and to persuade other people on various issues.

For the first time I was on my own, living in a dorm and interacting with strangers without the help of my parents. Before the meeting started, I stood up and spoke, “Excuse me. Because I am hard of hearing, I must wear a hearing aid. Please speak clearly and loudly so that I can hear you.” I felt at ease, as if the audience understood my situation.

At first I was afraid to express my intellectual opinions because I thought that other people would not clearly hear or understand me. Yet when Ryan Friedrichs, an energetic keynote speaker, said, “Be motivated by ideas, not by fear….” I realized that I was motivated by fear. From then on, I spoke with confidence.

I questioned the staff of Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein about their stand on increasing trade with China and Vietnam despite the notorious human rights abuses in these countries. They told me they would review their position and take action against human rights violations in China and Vietnam.

Lucky for me, I have gained perspective. I realize that independence is essential, but also that reliance on others is sometimes needed. I cannot accomplish every objective by myself alone. Hence, through the renowned tradition and philosophy of a liberal education, I believe that I will learn to prepare myself for an unpredictable future.