Public Speaking & Leadership

Empowering Voices, Connecting Generations

The Evolution of Impact (2025 - Present)

Since May 2025, Music and Love has pioneered a unique Youth-to-Youth Mentorship model in public speaking. What started as a virtual workshop has evolved into a powerful tool for community advocacy and intergenerational healing.

• Virtual Foundation: 10+ intensive virtual sessions conducted since 2025, empowering 50+ students with the core principles of rhetoric and storytelling.

• Expert Mentorship: Led by top-tier student instructors, including Sophia Liu (TJHSST), and expanded in 2026 to include Phoebe Shi and Raiyan Dar.
​
• The Showcase Initiative: Starting January 2026, we launched a monthly Public Speaking & Music Showcase at local senior centers. This initiative allows students to apply their skills in real-world settings, using speech and music as a dual language to engage with the elderly.

​Empowerment through Mentorship

Sophia Liu
Lead Student Mentor

School: TJHSST
Contribution: Sophia guides students by leading them through interactive exercises to boost the confidence of our young learners. By encouraging students to participate in activities throughout the lectures, students become more comfortable with speaking in front of audiences. She also guides them through Ethics Bowl discussions and mock presentations.
Introduction: Sophia Liu is a junior at TJHSST. She has experience in Ethics Bowl as a competition team member and a club service member. They got second place at the Ethics Bowl Mid-Atlantic Region Competition. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, painting, and sculpting.

---

​Phoebe Shi
Lead Student Mentor

School: Oakton High School
Contribution: Phoebe guides learners in developing confident delivery, covering essential skills such as pitch, tone, gestures, and audience engagement, helping them communicate more effectively and express themselves with clarity. She also introduces students to various debate disciplines, including Model UN and DECA.
Introduction: Phoebe Shi is a sophomore student. She has experience with Model UN, debate, and currently competes internationally in DECA competitions. Aside from academics, she loves to play viola, paint, and crochet.