FHC Inspires Q&As 2023: CC Rodriguez
Position: Speaker
Title: “Your parents are your ‘best friends'”
Why did you apply to be a speaker?
“Mostly because I don’t like public speaking. It’s something that I’ve never really been good at, and I’m terrified of it. Speaking to people in general [is] something I’m scared of, and I felt like this is my opportunity to start branching out in high school. And it was my opportunity to stand up and get over my fear.”
How are you feeling about speaking at FHC Inspires?
“As of right now, I’m not scared. I feel like because I’ve ran through it so many times, I know what I need to say and I feel I’ve gotten comfortable with my topic in saying what I have to, but I do know that being on the stage and saying everything in front of everyone is terrifying, and I think that’s going to start sinking in a little bit.”
What was the process of perfecting your speech?
“I went through as many topics as I could think of and made so many slideshows. And then, when it came to doing FHC Inspires, I completely changed my idea, my topic, and my approach, and when I got to run-throughs, I wasn’t ready, and I had to go off of what I had in my mind and make everything up and incredibly topic.”
What does your message mean to you, and what should it mean to the audience?
“My message is really [dedicated] to my parents and thanking them for being the people in my life who are there no matter what. It’s opening people’s eyes to the fact that your parents are the ones who are with you no matter what, and they are your best friends in life, whether you realize that or not.”
Did you ever see yourself speaking at FHC Inspires?
“When we watched the TED Talks last year, I had an idea of what I wanted to do, and I thought the idea that FHC Inspires was something I really wanted to do. And then when it came down to it, I applied not thinking I would get in.”
Does your Google slide presentation reflect your topic?
“Not really. My slideshow, it’s not really basic, but it’s plain, so it doesn’t really connect to it very much.”
What’s the best time of day and why?
“The time when the sun is setting and when it hits prime nighttime.”
What’s something you can’t live without?
“My friends.”