Hanrui Zhang & Academy for Public Speaking President Kathleen Petrone
Academy for Public Speaking graduate Hanrui Zhang was the guest of honor at the Del Mar Solana Beach Optimist Club meeting at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club on May 24, 2014. Hanrui was being honored for winning first place and a $2,500 scholarship in the 2014 San Diego District Optimist Club Oratorical Contest.
Hanrui competed and won the 2014 Optimist Club Oratorical Contest at the club, zone, and division levels. The contestants presented four to five minute speeches on the topic “How My Passions Impact the World.”
Hanrui shared how his love of public speaking, journalism, and music influence the world. Hanrui not only competes in speech contests and makes special guest speaker appearances for the Academy for Public Speaking and civic organizations, but he is also a varsity member of the Torrey Pines High School speech and debate club.
Hanrui frequently returns to the Academy for Public Speaking as a special guest speaker to encourage other students throughout San Diego to embrace the power of public speaking by enrolling in classes with the Academy for Public Speaking and competing in speech contests.
Most recently Hanrui spoke to the spring 2014 Academy for Public Speaking graduates to inspire them to continue applying the essential public speaking skills they learned during their courses with the Academy for Public Speaking.
Through participating in debates, Hanrui has not only positively influenced the academic community at his high school, but he has also facilitated the academic development of his competitors from various high school and communities throughout California.
Hanrui impacts the world through his use of the written word as well. By submitting articles for the Torrey Pines Falconer newspaper, Hanrui shares his ideas and opinions with others. Hanrui is also a contributing author to the book Confidence is Key! 12 Amazing Ways Public Speaking Empowers Your Child by Kathleen Petrone.
Additionally, Hanrui influences the world non-verbally by playing the cello. Hanrui has played with the San Diego Youth Symphony, the New Youth Symphony, and the Intermediate Orchestra at Torrey Pines High School. Hanrui is now a member of the Advanced Orchestra at Torrey Pines High School.
Hanrui has competed and won numerous awards in speech contests with the San Diego HuaXia Chinese School, the Lions Club, and Optimist International. This amazing young man certainly has a bright future ahead of him. Congratulations, Hanrui!
