19th Place Winner, 2017 National Public Speaking Competition, Jacinda Tsen, River Valley High School

Jacinda Tsen introduces the topic of love, acknowledging common perceptions of it as sweet words or kind gestures. She explains that her own understanding of love has evolved significantly, moving beyond superficial expressions like hugs and kisses.

Jacinda defines love as patience, illustrating it with examples such as waiting for a busy surgeon partner, asking a tired father about his day, and patiently waiting for a child to start talking. She emphasizes that love allows one to wait for the small things that truly matter, even for naturally impatient individuals.

The speaker then explains love as kindness, giving examples like offering a tissue to a crying stranger on a bus despite social anxiety, helping an elderly neighbor press an elevator button, and supporting a grandmother who needs assistance. She highlights that love involves going out of one's way to help others, even if it goes against one's natural tendencies.

Jacinda describes love as bravery, providing powerful examples such as cycling in the rain to deliver a son's forgotten bottle, cooking for a sick sister despite being afraid of fire, and climbing a tree to rescue a kitten despite a fear of heights. She concludes that love instills courage, enabling individuals to perform brave acts for the well-being and happiness of others.

Jacinda summarizes that love is not simple or mere sweet words; instead, it is complex and serves as the driving force behind many wonderful virtues. She asserts that love transforms an ordinary person into an extraordinary one.