Good afternoon, everyone! First, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Li Ming, and I am 16 years old, born on April 15. I’m currently a student in Class 2, Year 1 at Beijing No. 4 High School.

I have an energetic personality, which leads me to have a wide range of interests. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and swimming. After lessons, I like to explore the internet or listen to my favorite songs. Additionally, I dedicate time to reading, as it helps broaden my perspective and enhances my understanding of various subjects. I frequently visit the school library to borrow books, as reading not only brings me joy but also brightens my day.

Next, I would like to share a bit about my family. We are a close-knit family of three: my father, my mother, and myself. My father is a hardworking man who is both firm and gentle. He dedicates himself to his career. My mother is an excellent educator, and she excels in her profession. Regardless of how busy they are, they always surround me with their unconditional love and support, and I cherish them deeply.

I believe that perseverance leads to success; this mantra guides me as I commit myself to my studies.

That’s all for my introduction. Thank you!

大家好，

我叫董琦阳，来自中国，今天能够站在这里，我感到非常荣幸，同时也非常开心能获得这个奖项。

作为国际学生，在澳大利亚最大的挑战就是英语。我记得我第一次来到这里时，住家举行了一场聚会。在聚会上，他们玩笑不断，笑声不断，你能想象那种尴尬吗？每个人都在笑，唯独我一个人不知道发生了什么。为了掩饰自己的窘迫，在另一场聚会上，我看到大家都在笑，我也跟着笑了五秒钟。我的寄宿家庭惊讶地问我：“你明白吗？”我回答说：“不明白。”他们又问：“那你为什么笑？”我说：“因为我不想尴尬！”

不过，今天我站在这里想要感谢他们，因为他们鼓励我参与学校的事务，而不是呆在家里玩电脑、说中文。

第一次来到Wantirna College时，我遇到了国际学生协调员Liz。她对我非常友善，鼓励我加入学生代表委员会（SRC）。我经常参加SRC的会议，但其实那时我甚至不知道SRC是什么！因此，我曾告诉她我不想再去了。但她说：“为什么不？你应该去，你必须去！”我问：“为什么？”她说：“因为我这么说的！”

今天我想感谢她，正是因为她对我的帮助，我才能走到今天。

老实说，我并不是Wantirna College最优秀的学生，但我很珍惜这个奖项，未来我会尽力而为。

时间快到了，我想感谢我的寄宿家庭Les和Vera，感谢Liz，还有我亲爱的母亲，感谢她对我的支持，让我有机会来到澳大利亚。谢谢Wantirna College，感谢澳大利亚，最后，感谢今晚在场的每一个人。

祝大家有个美好的夜晚。

Good morning/afternoon, everyone!

I want to start by expressing how grateful I am for the opportunity to speak today. To be honest, standing here has given me a bit of anxiety—what some might call 'stage fright.' If you look closely, you might notice my hands trembling and my legs feeling a bit unstable, similar to someone experiencing a little too much caffeine! But let’s not dwell on that. I’m excited to share with you a humorous story I recently heard.

Once upon a time, there was a woman named Sarah who moved to Canada a few years back. She struggled a bit with her English. One day, while hanging out with her friend James and enjoying some comedy shows, something amusing happened. A sudden noise outside caught James's attention, prompting him to dash outside without even grabbing a jacket. Sarah, noticing this, shouted, "James, put your shoes on!"

To her surprise, most of the neighbors peeked out of their windows! It turned out that Sarah had mistakenly said “put your shoes on” instead of “grab your jacket.” She hadn’t realized that her words could imply he was heading out in inappropriate attire. This little mix-up not only made everyone laugh but also highlighted the differences in communication styles between cultures.

This story serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding each other's backgrounds and the small yet significant nuances in language.

Thank you all for listening!

Good afternoon, everyone!

I'm delighted to stand before you today to discuss a topic that profoundly impacts our daily lives: social media.

In recent years, social media platforms have exploded in popularity, especially among younger generations. Like any powerful tool, social media has its benefits and drawbacks.

On the positive side, social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and connect with others. It allows us to share our experiences, ideas, and creativity with a global audience. For many students, social media can be an excellent platform for collaboration on group projects and for seeking support from peers. It also offers a unique avenue to stay updated on news and trends, fostering a sense of community.

However, we must also acknowledge the darker side of social media. The pervasive nature of these platforms can lead to unhealthy comparisons and a distorted self-image. Many individuals, particularly teenagers, find themselves engrossed in the pursuit of likes and comments, to the detriment of their mental well-being. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can drive young people to spend excessive hours online, causing them to neglect their studies and relationships.

I recall a story about a high-achieving student who became so consumed by social media that his academic performance plummeted. He was constantly seeking validation through likes, ignoring his responsibilities. When his grades fell, he finally realized the grave mistake he had made, but it was already too late to recover.

Moreover, social media can expose users to negative influences and cyberbullying. The anonymity of the internet often encourages people to behave in ways they wouldn’t in real life, leading to harmful interactions. The mental scars from such experiences can last a lifetime, making it vital for us to tread carefully in this digital realm.

Additionally, there are concerns about privacy and data security. With personal information shared widely online, users must be vigilant about protecting their identities, as not everyone has good intentions.

In conclusion, while social media has become an integral part of modern life, we must use it wisely. It can be a powerful ally in fostering connections and sharing knowledge if approached with caution. The responsibility ultimately lies with us to create a balanced relationship with social media.

Thank you for your attention!

尊敬的各位评委，大家好。今天我演讲的主题是“我爱黑脸琵鹭”。

在一个阳光明媚的冬日，我偶然邂逅了可爱的黑脸琵鹭，这种候鸟每年冬天都会在我所在的城市——洪树林栖息。它全身披着雪白的羽毛，黑色的腿和黑色的喙形成鲜明对比。在它的脖子下，还有一抹令人惊艳的黄色。如此优雅的姿态，让我一见钟情。

黑脸琵鹭的喙大而呈勺形，能够轻松钳住鱼儿，这使它成为鸟类中的强力捕手。然而，由于人类的扩张和环境污染，全球仅存约XX只的黑脸琵鹭。

仿佛在安徒生的童话中，黑脸琵鹭一直在寻找那块短暂宁静的小礁石。幸运的是，它们在我心爱的家园里找到了这个栖息之所。我将它们铭刻在心，也希望它们在未来的岁月里带着雏鸟归来，吟唱着……

哦，我有一个家，如此美丽的家，那里我快乐地玩耍和休息。

哦，给它们一个家，如此奇妙的家，琵鹭们在其中欢快地嬉戏。

非常感谢大家。