College debate

Warriorsfan, do you think you can get better at speaking in from of a class and debate?

As a senior in high school a similar situation cropped up in a class where public speaking wasn't supposed to happen. I was assigned to give a speech on the Great Wall of China and had to go second as my last named started with the letter B. I'm fine with speaking up spontaneously but struggle mightily with anxiety if I know ahead of time that I have to speak in front of a group. I told the teacher I couldn't/wouldn't do it and he said I wouldn't graduate if I opted out. This was in 1970, very little info on anxiety disorders and no compassion from the teacher. The first gal gave her speech on something and I refused the next day. Everyone else refused after that and I graduated. Just thought this memory might help with your decision.