Whether you are asked to give a toast at a wedding, say a few words at a birthday dinner, nail a sales presentation, or speak to the student body, might as well shoot for the stars.

FORBES: 21 Ways to Win at Public Speaking

"We didn't really now much, we knew the film, that it was in Africa and that it was a hot country, " said student Jessica Simmons, who is delivering part of the presentation.

BBC: Pupils met the delegation from the Madagascan embassy

This was in the spring of our senior year, and Anne Marie had the misfortune of giving her presentation right after James Nagali, the only other male student at Our Lady of the Lake, who gave a masterly speech on new soap-dispensing technologies.

NPR: Chapter 1

Nor is student participation encouraged, so budding professionals have little chance to practice important presentation skills and debating techniques.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Business: Leadership Deficit