Dorothy Lai | Class of 2025
Dorothy Lai
For Dorothy Lai, public speaking was more than an extracurricular activity; it became a community, a leadership opportunity and a skill set that continues to shape her journey beyond Corpus Christi College.
A member of Pallotti House, Dorothy graduated in 2025 after making a significant contribution to the College's public speaking program. From her early days as a participant to mentoring younger students as a coach, public speaking became one of the most influential parts of her school experience.
Reflecting on her time at Corpus, it is the relationships she built and the opportunities she embraced that stand out most.
"My strongest memories were my rich relationships with my teachers and the time I spent being part of leadership in Public Speaking, the Student Leadership Team and Volleyball Club," she said.
Dorothy also credits many teachers and experiences with helping shape her future aspirations.
"There were many teachers, both those who are still at the College and those who have moved on, who inspired me to pursue my degree. I often reflect on senior retreat, the fun times I had in the classroom and many other small parts of high school life."
A Second Family
Public speaking was a constant throughout Dorothy's six years at Corpus. Inspired by a Year 12 Public Speaking Captain when she was in Year 7, she quickly discovered a passion that would remain with her throughout her secondary schooling.
"Public speaking was my primary extracurricular activity from Year 7 all the way until Year 12," she said. "Public speaking was like a second family at school and I was excited to participate every year."
The experience helped her develop confidence, communication skills and the ability to think clearly under pressure.
"I was able to gain the experience to be confident and clear when speaking, learn how to organise my thoughts into action and develop skills that came in handy for interviews and professional conversations," she said.
Today, those same skills support her work as a tutor and volunteer.
"I often use my skills of projection now to volunteer and teach. They help my lifestyle in every way."
While she enjoyed competing, one of Dorothy's most memorable experiences came through coaching younger students.
"My coaching experience in Year 11 would have to be my most memorable moment," she said. "Teaching a group of Year 7 students and seeing them gain confidence taught me a lot about being patient, encouraging others and helping people reach their potential."
Pursuing a Passion for Physics
Since graduating, Dorothy has continued to follow her love of learning through a Bachelor of Science in Physics. More recently, she was accepted into a Bachelor of Science (Integrated Professional) in Physics and has also begun tutoring high school students in mathematics.
The opportunity to stay curious is what she enjoys most about her studies.
"I enjoy physics because I can really stay curious about all the small things in life while using mathematics," she said.
She has also found a strong sense of community at university.
"Everyone in physics loves physics and is eager to get involved in the field. That means I've formed really close friendships with people who share the same interests."
Her communication skills continue to play an important role both academically and professionally.
"I frequently get compliments on my communication skills in interviews and they have greatly helped when teaching," she said. "I've learned how to use my voice to project and communicate strongly in volunteering and in my relationships."
Advice for Future Public Speakers
Looking back, Dorothy believes one of the greatest benefits of public speaking was learning how to think quickly and remain composed under pressure.
"Learning how to think through impromptu speaking means I'm able to be quick on my feet and sort out my thoughts even under pressure."
For students preparing for this year's Public Speaking Competition, her advice is straightforward.
"Just try your best. If you never try, you'll never know what the outcome might be and you'll never gain the experience."
And for those who feel nervous about speaking in front of others, she has an important reminder.
"No one is ever expecting you to be perfectly calm. All you need to do is focus on giving people the message you want them to take away and remember why you are doing this in the first place."
As Dorothy continues her studies and explores future opportunities in physics, the confidence, communication skills and leadership qualities developed at Corpus remain an important part of her journey.