Speaking With Purpose: How Alivia Donovan Built Confidence Through Communication

For Alivia Donovan, Class of 2029, communication has been a journey shaped by challenge, courage, and growth. Her portfolio from the 2024–2025 school year at Simons Middle School tells a story of a student who learned how to speak with confidence, perform with purpose, and reflect honestly on her progress.

Alivia names Communication as her promising practice, and her artifacts show why. Whether she is debating complex topics, performing in front of an audience, or reflecting through writing, she consistently returns to one theme. Growth happens when she pushes herself beyond what feels comfortable.

Communication That Begins With Courage

In her reflections, Alivia shares that speaking in front of others once brought intense fear. She worried about forgetting her words, being judged, or not being good enough. These fears appeared not only in academic settings but also in personal passions she kept private, including singing.

Her “Stage Fright” artifact captures this struggle honestly. Alivia describes wanting to perform but holding herself back because of anxiety. Over time, she chose to face that fear by joining a year-long singing program that ended with a public performance at her church. The experience required commitment, vulnerability, and persistence.

As the year progressed, she practiced regularly and gained confidence through encouragement rather than judgment. When it came time to perform, she felt nervous but prepared. Afterward, she reflected with pride on how far she had come and how meaningful it felt to share her voice openly.

Speaking With Confidence in Academic Settings

Alivia’s growth in communication also shows clearly through her leadership class debates. One artifact details a debate on euthanasia, where she was placed on the opposition side and spoke in front of judges, peers, and guests. She describes feeling overwhelmed before speaking and doubting her preparation.

Despite those feelings, Alivia stepped forward. She delivered her argument clearly and with confidence. All three judges awarded her a perfect score and identified her as the strongest debater in the room. In her reflection, Alivia noted both her success and an area for improvement. She wanted to maintain stronger eye contact in future debates.

This balance of confidence and self-reflection appears throughout her portfolio. She celebrates achievements while also identifying next steps for growth. These habits strengthen communication skills that extend beyond middle school.

Building Readiness Through Real Experiences

Another major communication experience in Alivia’s portfolio is her participation in the Amazing Shake. She advanced through multiple rounds, including the gauntlet and work-the-room challenges, ultimately placing among the top participants. These stations required quick thinking, conversation with unfamiliar adults, and adaptability.

Alivia reflects on this experience as a meaningful opportunity to showcase herself. She describes managing conversations, staying engaged, and presenting herself confidently under pressure. These moments reflect real-world communication skills that cannot be measured by a single assessment.

Reflection as a Tool for Growth

Across her artifacts, Alivia consistently reflects on growth and achievement. She writes about maintaining strong academic performance and understanding how discipline and effort connect to future goals. She also reflects deeply on personal growth through communication, faith, friendships, and leadership.

Her writing shows increased self-awareness and maturity. She recognizes that growth includes emotional development, confidence, and learning to trust her voice. These reflections align with Fleming County’s vision of learning that values readiness for life alongside academic success.

A Story That Reflects the Vibrant Ecosystem

Alivia’s portfolio reflects the Vibrant Learning framework in action. Her communication skills developed through authentic experiences, real audiences, and meaningful challenges. Her growth did not happen in isolation. It happened through practice, feedback, and reflection.

Her story supports Fleming County’s shift toward moonshot accountability by making learning visible through evidence and narrative. Communication becomes more than a competency. It becomes a lived experience that prepares her for high school, future leadership, and life beyond the classroom.

As Alivia continues her journey as a member of the Class of 2029, her portfolio stands as a clear example of how confidence grows when students are trusted to speak, reflect, and lead.