Ralph Waldo Emerson
“ America is another name for opportunity”
Hi, my name is Derek McCoy Jr….
(LONG PAUSE, with a smile on your face)
And before I get into my speech, quick question, Please help me out with this , Fill in the blank for me ..”America , is another name ffffooorrrr, and please fill in the blank, “America is another name for what. Please show of hands.
(picks on somebody) “America is another name for opportunity”.
Let me say that again and let that all sink in .
“America is another name for opportunity”. A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
What does this mean to you?
(maybe gets people to raise their hands ) To me it means (pause for one second) A CHANCE!
. A chance to become something great, a chance to start a new, a CHANCE to change you. A Chance at a better life for your family and FOR OUR COUNTRY!
America is another name for opportunity ?
?(say that quote like a question)

(Then speak like your asking a question, but your not, just sound like it!)(Its like your talking to yourself and no one else is even in the room with you)(It is confidence, trust)
I had heard the words before, however they really didn’t mean anything to me, I’ll tell you a secret... they do now!!
When I was preparing this speech, it really left me thinking? Is America another name for opportunity?
So I then researched the man who wrote the quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born May 25, 1803. He composed some of the most loved poems in American literature, (Pause for 1 real seconds, then walk from one side of the stage to the other, look like you are thinking,hand on chin and frown your eyebrows) including<-(say this loudly) “The Concord Hymn”, (pause one second) written in 1837 for the dedication of the monument where the battle at
North Bridge took place April 19, 1775. His words are inscribed on the base of
Daniel Chester French’s Minute Man Statue… (pause one , one thousand)
(Say these next 4 sentences, like you are Ralph Waldo Emerson..Really make everyone believe these 4 sentences...acting is part of a speech..)
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood;
And fired the shot heard round the world.
(Again stop, look and walk around the room) .. Now, how many of you know that, that those words are inscribed on that statue??? Anyone??
(Raise your own hand and say) “I didn't”.. until I did some research..
Ralph Waldo Emerson had numerous Patriotic quotes that still have an impact today. When our founding fathers Washington, Franklin, Jefferson were literally
FIGHTING for the Opportunity
to govern ourselves and make America A… Land of Opportunity.
(Now get real heart felt, sincere and walk really close to the audience)
Personal, those words have great meaning to me..
(Pause and look serious at anyone in the crowd)

My Mother, Aunt and grandma.”.Babcia” (smile after you say this :-) )are not originally from America?!? My family is from Poland. My mother came to america, for the OPPORTUNITY of a better LIFE!
My mom ….wave to mama and smile, even say “Cho Hom Chi”
My mom would tell me and my brother Bobby, stories about when they came over to America. She said everyone in her town, would say “America is the Land of
Opportunity! The streets are lined in gold and life is just better in America.
( Now really sell the struggle of their journey)
They had to pack up everything in their home,mom was 9 yrs old and my Aunt
Aneta was 7 yrs old. My babcia (smile again) was 34 yrs old, spoke very little
English and still came to America, cause they believed America is Another Name
For Opportunity! The Opportunity for a better life.
They had to go through Russia and more specifically (Really say the word with surprise) Chernobyl!
(Ask question of audience?) Anyone know what happened in
Chernobyl??
The journey sounded scary when she told me about the gas masks they had to wear, and they were not allowed to walk outside when the sun was out, if they did they would become very ill and not be able to travel America..
(Ask question) “Doesn’t this sound like A lot to go through, just to come to America??… (Walk around and say to one of the judges, with a little grin, Chernobyl.. Then put hands over your eyes and shake your head a little)
So my family is here... in Arizona, and I have the privilege of speaking in front of all you today.....
(Now, this is the most important part as far as Making
Everyone FEEL you )

America is Another name For Opportunity !!
(say this with such Passion and Energy)
My family’s story is like a million other families. So many, who came here from another country and made the most of their
Opportunity. I know that I am grateful for those words
Thank you Mr Emerson!) (Look up and point)
Mr. Emerson wrote many memorable quotes during his life
“ Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you.”
“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson,wrote "The Poet," Essays, Second Series , 1844 and said ….
.(PAUSE ..one, one thousand) speak firm and slowly.. For effect