The TJC Speech class and several speech and debate team members attended a conference at Leadership Tyler on September 22. The speaker for the conference was entrepreneur Alex Sheen.

“Leadership Tyler offered us the opportunity to come hear Alex Sheen,”speech and debate teacher Rory McKenzie said. “Mr. Sheen asked to speak to local high school or college age students. We took this trip because Alex Sheen is an incredible man. After learning about who he was, I knew our students could really benefit from meeting him.”​

In the week leading up to the trip, the class watched videos about the speaker and his inspiration for starting his international nonprofit organization. McKenzie also gave the class a speech assignment pertaining to a famous speeches.

“This experience was truly enlightening,” senior Elizabeth Tagg said. “I learned not only how to become a better public speaker, but also how to improve my life and the lives of those around me through the keeping of promises. I am very thankful that I was given this amazing opportunity and will never forget the touching and heartwarming demonstration by Mr. Sheen.”

Sheen is the founder of ‘Because I Said I Would.’ In his speech, he told his story about starting this company and how they are able to do so much good in the community.  

“His speech was very moving to say the least,” senior Joe Noble said. “He described how the value of your word determined the value of your life. Mr. Sheen stressed the idea that our credibility and trustworthiness shape who we are as [people].”