The Last Word
By Mikko Johnston | Posted: Tuesday May 13, 2025
Boys, I’ll be honest with you, public speaking just isn’t my thing.
Boys’ I’ll be honest with you, public speaking just isn’t my thing. In fact I’m not a big fan of being in front of crowds, especially those that include my peers. This may be hard to conceive considering the fact that I am up here now, I’m a lead in the school production, I’ve performed in the talent quests, and I occasionally sing in the library and out on the quad. But it’s true, this is nowhere near my comfort zone. Like many of you, right now, I'd rather be sitting in the audience zoning out, chilling at home watching some youtube, or questioning if I can actually deliver a good enough last word. And this is what I want to talk to you about today.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is well, an uncomfortable thing, it’s kinda implied in the saying, but it is so true, and for all of us here in this room it looks different. For some of you it might look like being scared of putting your hand up in class, for others it might look like being too scared to try out a new sport, or auditioning for the school’s production knowing you’ll have to perform in front of hundreds of people a night. But stepping out of your comfort zone is what makes you, you. It's what enables you to find your true passions in life, shaping the person you will one day become.
When I was in Year 9 I saw the audition posters go up for the 2021 musical of Cry-Baby. I considered auditioning, but over-thought it thinking I’m not good enough, there's going to be a lot of seniors, not to mention all the scary girls. I talked myself out of it, deciding not to try something new and uncomfortable. Luckily for me another opportunity came when Ms Gorman walked into assembly a few weeks after auditions asking for boys to join the production as they were low on numbers. I took a chance and put my hand up. That day after school I went down to Otago Girls' scared as anything and introduced myself. Boys, if somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, just say yes and then learn how to do it later! There, I learnt how to act, dance, and socialise. The experience of being a part of that production was one I will never forget, and a memory I would have never made if I let that little voice in the back of my head talk me out of doing it. Within the space of a month I had gone from not even auditioning to becoming a lead due to boys pulling out, something that I had always dreamed about. This encouraged me to step outside of the restrictive zone my mind had put me in and prove that I should try new things because this is the only way to learn, grow, and become the person you want to be. Stepping out of my comfort zone is what led me to be here today, as a prefect, speaking to you all.
Boys, if there is one thing to take away from my Last Word, it is to not let yourself stop yourself. Your worst enemy isn’t the kid who teases you, or that teacher you just don’t like. You are your own worst enemy. Don’t trap yourself, push the boundaries of what you thought was possible, and hey you might find something you truly love, setting you up to succeed in the future. In true OBHS fashion I will end with a quote. “The sooner you step away from your comfort zone you'll realize that it really wasn't all that comfortable. “Great things never came from comfort zones.” — Eddie Harris, Jr.
