By Callie Welty

When people say that something is impossible, that is absolutely the first thing you should try. This is my motto!

Born with bilateral sensorineural severe to profound hearing loss, I have never been afraid of a challenge. My medical team advised my parents that sign language and a school for the deaf and hard of hearing would be my best route for education. My parents wanted every opportunity for me so at 2 months of age, I began sign and oral language therapy. Because I do not hear high frequency sounds, learning to speak was a huge challenge. I have had to learn to artificially produce words that are not within my range of hearing. As part of my therapy, my mom entered me into my first public speaking contest at the age of 3 years old. It was then that a spark ignited in my life that made me more and more eager to learn and give public presentations, even when many of my toddler peers were still mastering potty training.

Through many years of speech and occupational therapy, my language skills progressed. I began competing in speech contests on the state level when I was in the sixth grade. My passions for public speaking and agriculture were realized when I was named Agriscience Public Speaking Champion at the San Antonio Livestock Show, State Fair of Texas, and Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo that year. From that date, I continued to win and had high placings at state and national contests throughout junior high and high school.

My success culminated in 2020 when I won the state champion title for both Texas FFA (Future Farmers of America) and Texas 4-H Prepared Public Speaking competitions. For each contest, you have to qualify at multiple levels to even participate at the state contest. My wins qualified me to represent the state of Texas at the national contests that were unfortunately canceled due to COVID. Although disappointed, I felt proud that my years of hard work and preparation resulted in having the honor of being known as a national qualifier.

I went from being a severely hearing-impaired baby with an unsure future to being a state public speaking champion multiple times over. It really was nothing short of a miracle.

In order to inspire young people and make a difference, I realized that my passion for public speaking must be shared. Throughout my high school years, I hosted many public speaking and leadership workshops to inspire others to overcome their fear of presentations. The name of my nonprofit consultancy firm is Let’s Talk. To date, I have mentored over 300 young people in researching, writing, learning, memorizing, and perfecting speeches. I also teach visualization, professional dress, nonverbal communication, and how to handle nerves.

Many of my students have been shunned from society by being considered “weird” or “odd” by their peers. I have worked with kids of differing sexual orientations, physical, mental, and emotional disabilities, and others who just lacked confidence. My students leave my workshops with a skill set that changes how they see themselves, which ultimately changes how others see them as well. Public speakers are known to be leaders, and many of my students have gained the confidence and poise to take on leadership roles that they never though were possible. There is no greater joy than to see one of my speakers be inspired by their own winning performances, whether it be overcoming stuttering, gaining newfound self-esteem, or conquering their nerves to deliver the perfect presentation. My speakers are my greatest accomplishment.

To me, hearing loss has given me an opportunity to learn about the world in a different way than my hearing peers. I am perceptive and am very aware of my environment and those around me. In school, while audio tests were a disaster for me, learning to read lips has been a godsend. I was able to thrive and assimilate in the classroom, extracurricular activities, and friend groups thanks to my hearing aids. My hearing loss has never defined me, but provided me with a challenge to overcome in order to be my personal best.

I do not believe that metrics, medical tests, IQ results, bank accounts, or any other number that supposedly defines a person. Only by setting goals, working hard, and maintaining laser focus can one truly know what it means to attain and be your personal best.

I have chosen to pursue an undergraduate degree in agricultural communications and journalism. My career choice was inspired by independent research and learnings resulting from my participation in FFA, 4-H, and public speaking competitions. I have the goal to work in public relations and media as a career. Who would have ever thought that a hard of hearing person would choose communications as a career path? I’m here to show everyone that the impossible can become possible.

Texas resident Callie Welty started Texas A&M University this month. This essay is adapted from her winning entry that earned one of this year’s Help America Hear scholarships. Read fellow winner Anna Nack’s essay here.

The application for the next round of scholarships for high school seniors just opened! Entries are due April 2, 2023. Get details here.

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