Performing "Great Balls of Fire" with Gowan on a grand piano. (photo from Telemiracle)
Introduction: "I have a dream."
"I have a dream!" With those words, the speech began.
"I have a dream!" A simple phrase, made famous by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. "I have a dream that our school will have the best treasurer in the world!"
That’s how I began my first political speech, given in September 1988. I urged the students of Dieppe elementary school to vote for me so I could be the best treasurer in the world, whom I described in detail. I was twelve years old and had just enrolled in grade seven at a new school. Even though I eventually came in second to a grade eight girl who had gone to Dieppe school all her life, I managed to capture everyone's attention with the use of one of the twentieth century’s most famous speeches. (Ironically, at the time I was unaware that I shared a birthday with Dr. King.)
A year later I was determined to win, this time announcing the top ten reasons to elect me school president in 1989. Wearing a purple suit, I marched up to the podium with "Party Man" by Prince blaring from the ghetto blaster on my best friend's shoulder behind me. I announced ten things I would do as president, ultimately promising a canteen every Friday with proceeds going towards a dance every month. I won that election and ended up spending the rest of grade eight selling pop and chips during recess.
