An Indiana University senior gave an inspiring commencement address to fellow graduating students earlier this week that was all the more impressive because of the handicap he had to overcome to deliver the speech.
Parker Mantell, a political science major who interned for prominent Republican leaders like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, has a speech impediment, and stutters when he speaks. But that didn’t stop him from delivering a rousing speech about how his IU education helped him overcome his aversion to public speaking by instilling him with confidence.
“As a person who stutters, I could be no more certain that in this room and in this hall are thousands of people who are far more talented at public speaking than I am,” said Mantell in his speech. “At the same time, I could be no more certain that the message I have to share is one that must be heard.”
He continued: “Doubt, as has been observed, kills more dreams than failure ever will. Yet if doubt were to be a disease, its cure would be confidence. I am most proud to credit Indiana University with the confidence to apply for my various internships.”
Watch the entire speech below.