Me and my Fears
　　Honorable judges, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
　　It is a great honor and pleasure to be here on this beautiful Saturday morning to share with you my sentiments about life and passion for the English language.
　　About a year and a half ago, I took part in my very first English Speech Contest. When I stood before the microphone with all eyes starring directly at me, I could hardly speak. I stood there, embarrassed and helpless, struggling in vain for the right thing to say. My fears had paralyzed me.
　　While my passion for English has never changed, I lost my courage to speak in public. When my professor again encouraged me to take part in this Competition, I said “no.” I couldn’t endure yet another painful experience. He looked me straight in the eye and said something that pierced my heart. I will never forget his words. “Look,” he said, “We all have our fears, and you have yours. You could twist your ankle in a basketball game, but then be afraid to ever play again. Running away can never dispel your fears, but action will. A winner is not one who never fails,but one who never quits.”
　　I spent a whole day with his words twisting and turning in my mind. Then I made the bravest and wisest decision of my life: I would face my fears – and take part in the competition!
　　As it turned out, my dear old professor was right. Now, here I am, once again standing before a microphone. My heart is beating fast, and my mouth is dry, but most importantly, I have faced my fears -- and that makes all the difference!
　　Thank you.
　　战胜恐惧
　　尊敬的评委,各位来宾,女士们先生们,我很荣幸在这个美妙的星期六早上来到这里,与你们分享我生命中一段特别的经历.
　　大概一年半以前,我参加了生平第一次演讲比赛.站在麦克风前,面对观众们期待的眼神,我竟紧张的说不出话来.那一刻,我是多么无助啊!
　　我对于英语的挚爱从未改变,但却从此失去了面对公众演讲的勇气.当老教授鼓励我参加希望英语风采大赛时,我拒绝了.他直视我的眼睛,说了一番令我终身难忘的话.“你瞧,”他说,“我们都有自己的恐惧.你可能会在一场篮球比赛中扭脚,并从此害怕再打球.你只能用行动去克服自己的恐惧,逃避是没有用的.生活中的成功者往往是永不放弃的人.”
　　我花了一整天时间思考他的话. 然后,我做出了一个勇敢而明智的决定： 我要参加中央电视台第五届“希望之星”英语风采大赛!
老教授是对的.我发挥出了自己的水平,一路杀进了全国总决赛.此时此刻,当我再一次站在了麦克风前,仍然心跳不止,但更重要的是,我终于能够勇敢地面对我的恐惧了,而这已足够了.