District Representative Conference Speech - March 2006
I was honored to be invited by the SURF Board E (a
group of students throughout the district providing
representation to the Board of Education) to be a
speaker at their District Representative Conference in
March 2006. This is a student run conference where SURF
Board high school students put on a conference for
elementary and jr. high school student leaders
throughout the district. At the conference they talk
about leadership, play team building games, and hear
from speakers.
Here is the text of my speech.
DRC 2006 Speech
Good morning. My name is Bryan Gebhardt and I am a member of the Fremont school board. The school board is in charge of every school in Fremont – all 42 of them!
But more important than being a school board member I am a graduate of Fremont schools! I attended Parkmont elementary, Centerville junior high, and Washington high school.
Let me ask you all. By a show of hands how many of you have done a country or state report?
You’ll be happy to know that some things don’t change. Like you I did a country report in 6th grade. My report was on Japan.
How many of you are using computers for your school reports? Consider yourselves lucky. Handwriting still counted when I was in 6th grade!
Fourteen years ago I was a Washington High School student and a Student Board Member like Stacy Chen here. And even then we had the DRC. I was honored when Stacy asked me to speak at this year’s DRC.
Today is going to be a chance to get to know other students in the district, to learn a little about ourselves, and to have fun. But it is important to remember that the 100 or so of you represent a district of over 30,000 students.
You may ask what impact can 100 students or even one student have. This morning I wanted to talk to you about
Students have always been an important voice. In 1991 Fremont students like you helped win an election that raised over $80 million to fix schools and build new classrooms. This month, students came to the school board to ask for more school nurses and more music classes. The school board listens to students.
The SURF Board stands for Students United for Representation to the Fremont Board of Education. It was formed to represent the students of Fremont to the Board of Education. This can be a powerful voice for students.
When I was student board member the district had to cut millions of dollars from the budget. These were deep cuts that included getting rid of all counselors, librarians, and activities directors in the high schools. The SURF Board worked hard to make it clear to the school board and everyone how much these cuts would hurt students. And that was remembered. When money became available, the counselors and others were hired again.
What can you do as a student? You don’t have to be on the school board to make a difference. There are so many ways to contribute. You can volunteer in the community at your church or the hospital. You can offer your time to tutor other students. Or like I did you can become involved with the school board or city council.
But what do you get out of it? From my personal experience, you will get as much out of it as you put in. I learned to speak in public; I learned to lead a group of people; I learned to have confidence in myself; I saw my work have a direct impact – I made a difference.
That sounds great but how will I know how to do all this?
Have any of you ever faced a challenge? Ever asked yourself, “Can I do this? Can I finish my homework on time? How will I ever complete my country report on time? Will I get into college? What will I do with my life?” I know each of you has asked at least one of these questions.
By a show of hands How many of you have been on TV?
Did you know that school board meetings are televised on Fremont cable? When I first started on the school board as a student I was very nervous about being on TV. Part of me didn’t think I could do it. But I believed in myself and with a lot of practice I succeeded.
A great American was once asked for some advice by an aspiring young lawyer. He said: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other thing.” That American was Abraham Lincoln. The president that led our country through its darkest hour – the American Civil War. And set in motion the work to unite our country again after it.
Do you think President Lincoln ever doubted himself? Sure he did. He was unsure of many decisions he made, but he also knew that as long as he was resolved to succeed he would find a way.
You and I are no different than President Lincoln. You can do great things. You just need to put in the hard work and most importantly to believe in yourself.
Here is the text of my speech.
DRC 2006 Speech
Good morning. My name is Bryan Gebhardt and I am a member of the Fremont school board. The school board is in charge of every school in Fremont – all 42 of them!
But more important than being a school board member I am a graduate of Fremont schools! I attended Parkmont elementary, Centerville junior high, and Washington high school.
Let me ask you all. By a show of hands how many of you have done a country or state report?
You’ll be happy to know that some things don’t change. Like you I did a country report in 6th grade. My report was on Japan.
How many of you are using computers for your school reports? Consider yourselves lucky. Handwriting still counted when I was in 6th grade!
Fourteen years ago I was a Washington High School student and a Student Board Member like Stacy Chen here. And even then we had the DRC. I was honored when Stacy asked me to speak at this year’s DRC.
Today is going to be a chance to get to know other students in the district, to learn a little about ourselves, and to have fun. But it is important to remember that the 100 or so of you represent a district of over 30,000 students.
You may ask what impact can 100 students or even one student have. This morning I wanted to talk to you about
Students have always been an important voice. In 1991 Fremont students like you helped win an election that raised over $80 million to fix schools and build new classrooms. This month, students came to the school board to ask for more school nurses and more music classes. The school board listens to students.
The SURF Board stands for Students United for Representation to the Fremont Board of Education. It was formed to represent the students of Fremont to the Board of Education. This can be a powerful voice for students.
When I was student board member the district had to cut millions of dollars from the budget. These were deep cuts that included getting rid of all counselors, librarians, and activities directors in the high schools. The SURF Board worked hard to make it clear to the school board and everyone how much these cuts would hurt students. And that was remembered. When money became available, the counselors and others were hired again.
What can you do as a student? You don’t have to be on the school board to make a difference. There are so many ways to contribute. You can volunteer in the community at your church or the hospital. You can offer your time to tutor other students. Or like I did you can become involved with the school board or city council.
But what do you get out of it? From my personal experience, you will get as much out of it as you put in. I learned to speak in public; I learned to lead a group of people; I learned to have confidence in myself; I saw my work have a direct impact – I made a difference.
That sounds great but how will I know how to do all this?
Have any of you ever faced a challenge? Ever asked yourself, “Can I do this? Can I finish my homework on time? How will I ever complete my country report on time? Will I get into college? What will I do with my life?” I know each of you has asked at least one of these questions.
By a show of hands How many of you have been on TV?
Did you know that school board meetings are televised on Fremont cable? When I first started on the school board as a student I was very nervous about being on TV. Part of me didn’t think I could do it. But I believed in myself and with a lot of practice I succeeded.
A great American was once asked for some advice by an aspiring young lawyer. He said: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other thing.” That American was Abraham Lincoln. The president that led our country through its darkest hour – the American Civil War. And set in motion the work to unite our country again after it.
Do you think President Lincoln ever doubted himself? Sure he did. He was unsure of many decisions he made, but he also knew that as long as he was resolved to succeed he would find a way.
You and I are no different than President Lincoln. You can do great things. You just need to put in the hard work and most importantly to believe in yourself.