Growing up, I discovered that most people struggle to express themselves confidently in front of others. After long-term observation, I realized that this is caused by a lack of education with specialized instruction in communication and leadership, as well as an unclear sense of community warmth. The majority of people are afraid to speak because they fear the negative reactions or judgment they might receive from their community, and this is especially important for students my age, at 16.
I found the solution when I attended my first Toastmasters club meeting at the Shekou IMAGINE Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China. That first meeting introduced me to an environment unlike anything I had experienced before. Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills, brought together people of different ages and backgrounds in one room where everyone encouraged each other to learn and improve. I saw support, laughter, and genuine connection.
That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the experience. Two questions kept replaying in my mind: How can I keep participating in this club? And how can more students experience a community like this?
Curious to learn more, I explored the Toastmasters website and discovered there’s a youth version of Toastmasters called Gavel Clubs. Almost immediately, I began imagining what it might look like to create one at my own school.
Over the next few weeks, I visited several Toastmasters clubs to observe how meetings were conducted and how different club communities operated. Every club had its own atmosphere, but they all shared the same spirit of encouragement and self-improvement. I began to picture what kind of club I wanted to build for students, a club that could foster an inclusive student community. I also contacted the Toastmasters International New Clubs Team to seek guidance on the chartering process and discuss my ideas.
One of my earliest challenges was inviting schoolmates to join. Many were hesitant—some had never heard of Toastmasters, while others worried about balancing it with academics and extracurriculars. I realized that stories were more effective than explanations, so I shared my experience at my first Toastmasters meeting, including the supportive atmosphere, Table Topics, and the confidence I gained. I also asked classmates what skills they wanted to improve and showed how Toastmasters could help, which gradually turned hesitation into interest. Our first officer meeting took place in the school library, yet the excitement in that small meeting already made the project feel meaningful and real.
On August 28, 2025, we officially chartered the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, named after our school mascot. We held our first club meeting with only six members. Although attendance was smaller than I had imagined, I still remember the happiness I felt watching an idea that once existed only in my thoughts become a real student organization.
As meetings continued, members gradually became more confident speaking in front of others, giving evaluations, and taking leadership roles. Some students who initially felt nervous introducing themselves eventually volunteered for speeches and major meeting responsibilities. More importantly, we built an environment where students felt comfortable expressing their ideas and improving without fear of judgment.
Over time, the impact of the club extended beyond our meetings. We helped four other student groups establish their own Gavel Clubs and collaborated with more than 12 Gavel Clubs across China to exchange ideas, as well as over 300 Gavel Clubs internationally to organize eight types of online speech contests annually and educational sessions led by World Champions of Public Speaking. We have partnered with more than six schools in China to share communication and leadership resources and connected with over 100 schools’ speech and debate clubs to introduce the Toastmasters method of learning. We have reached 13 countries and engaged volunteers from around the world.
We also became involved in community service and student well-being initiatives. In addition to donating to Toastmasters International’s Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund and financially sponsored our District 118 Annual Conference. We organized mental health awareness activities for our school using Erika’s Lighthouse resources. We also organized visits to technology companies in Shenzhen for students from other schools, helping them explore potential career paths through a program conducted in partnership with the Rotary Club of Shenzhen.
Building a Gavel Club taught me lessons I never expected to learn at my age. I learned that leadership requires persistence, creativity, empathy, and the willingness to listen carefully to others. I discovered the power of stories to inspire and the true meaning of collaboration. Most importantly, I learned that helping others grow can be just as rewarding as personal growth itself.
I remain deeply grateful to Toastmasters—for the friendships and inspiration it brought into my life, and for showing me how communication can become a tool for connection and positive impact.
