Grad donates prize to Brooks School

John P. Walsh recently won honors in public speaking.

When John P. Walsh III transferred from North Andover High School to become a boarder at the town's Brooks School, his normally talkative demeanor changed to shyness as he adjusted to the change.

However, his involvement in public speaking, which ultimately earned him the school's Wilder Prize in Public Speaking for three consecutive years, gave him the confidence to run for - and win - the student body presidency.

Now a senior majoring in communications at Syracuse University, Walsh recently won the school's White Denison Prize in Public Speaking. After submitting a written speech in the preliminary round, he was chosen as one of four finalists to deliver a 10- to 12-minute persuasive speech in front of a school audience.

Rather than endorse one particular presidential candidate, Walsh instead focused on the general importance of voting. Walsh, who lives in North Andover, said he plans to donate his $800 cash prize to the Brooks School in appreciation of the support he received there.

"Speaking in front of a few hundred people can be scary, but when you pull it off, it gives you a huge confidence boost that can help you in every aspect of your life," he said. "Hopefully [the donation] will provide more incentive for other students to give it a try."

CINDY CANTRELL