Published September 21st, 2026

My name is May Anderson, and I live in Lockhart, Texas, where I express myself as both an artist and an author. Before I embraced the creative path that shapes my days now, I spent over ten years working as a youth supervisor. Those years taught me more about the delicate nature of young people's feelings and the power of truly listening than any other experience in my life.

During that time, I witnessed firsthand the challenges youth face and how often they struggle to find their own voice. It became clear to me that creativity-whether through art, writing, or storytelling-can be a gentle bridge to confidence and self-expression. This understanding inspired me to develop workshops and public talks that combine my artistic skills with the lessons I learned as a supervisor, focusing on empowering young people to share their stories and emotions in ways that feel authentic and safe.

In opening these spaces, I hope to offer youth more than just encouragement; I want to provide them with practical ways to explore their inner worlds and discover strength through creative expression. These connections between art, words, and spoken voice have become the heart of my work, weaving together my past experiences with my present purpose.

How Youth Supervision Experience Shapes My Motivational Talks

Before I ever stood in front of a room as an artist and author, I spent more than ten years as a youth supervisor, sitting across from teenagers at plastic tables, in hallways, and during long, quiet check-ins. I listened to stories about school pressure, family conflict, loneliness, anger, and that foggy space where you know you want more for your life but have no idea how to get there. Those conversations shaped the way I speak to young people now far more than any script or outline.

Over time I learned to watch for small signals: the student who laughed the loudest to hide fear, the quiet one who avoided eye contact but never missed a word, the leader in the group who had no idea they were a leader. That daily contact taught me how fragile youth confidence can feel, and how quickly it grows when someone notices strength instead of only correcting behavior.

When I step into a public speaking role, I carry those faces and stories with me. I know that many young people listen while also wondering if anyone in front of them understands what it is like to navigate rules, expectations, and their own emotions all at once. Because I have supervised youth in real settings, not only in theory, I speak from experience when I talk about resilience, self-respect, and making steady choices in hard moments.

That background also keeps me honest. I have seen what advice sounds like when it is disconnected from real life, and I refuse to offer that. Instead, I try to name the fears out loud: fear of failing, of looking foolish, of leading and then being blamed when things go wrong. I speak about leadership as something that grows in small acts, like speaking up respectfully or supporting a peer who is struggling, not only in big titles or roles.

The time I spent supervising youth taught me that encouragement means little without understanding. When I design talks and workshops that bring art and public speaking to inspire youth, I build them on that understanding first. My words are shaped by years of watching young people test boundaries, surprise themselves, and recover from mistakes. That is what gives my current work depth and credibility; I am not guessing at what they face, I am remembering what I have already seen and heard.

The Role Of Creative Expression In Empowering Youth Confidence

What I noticed early as a youth supervisor was that many young people struggled to say what they felt out loud, but their hands knew how. A blank page or canvas gave them a place to put worry, anger, or hope without needing the perfect sentence first. That quiet space often did more for their confidence than any lecture.

My own practice with acrylic paintings, watercolor art, and pen and ink drawings has taught me that creative expression is a form of honest self-talk. Color, line, and texture become a private language. A heavy acrylic stroke across a canvas, a loose watercolor wash that refuses to stay in the lines, or a tight, repetitive ink pattern all reveal something about what is happening inside. When a young person sees that their feelings can take shape outside their body, those feelings feel less overwhelming and more workable.

Art also gives permission to experiment. When I show youth how I layer acrylics, cover what I do not like, or start a new watercolor over the faint trace of an old one, they see that change is allowed. Mistakes turn into part of the final piece instead of a reason to quit. That simple idea builds self-respect: "I am allowed to try, adjust, and try again." Over time, that practice spills into how they handle school, friendships, and leadership roles.

Writing and storytelling work the same way. Poetry, short reflections, or simple storytelling exercises create a safe container for thoughts that feel too risky to share directly. A youth who will not talk about fear in a circle might write about a character standing at the edge of a decision. When I read or perform inspirational poetry from my book Tranquil Thoughts, I name emotions in clear language, then invite them to respond with their own words or images. That back-and-forth shows them that their inner world has value.

When I combine creative work with motivational talks for young people, something important happens. Public speaking names the concepts: self-awareness, choice, respect, leadership. Art and writing let those concepts settle into the body. A short story shared with the group can lead into a drawing prompt about courage. A discussion about boundaries can turn into a watercolor exercise about where color stops and where it keeps flowing. Youth start to see that their voice is not only what they say in a microphone, but also what they create with their hands and minds.

For youth who feel unseen, being invited to use art and public speaking to inspire youth confidence shows that their thoughts are worth hearing and their feelings are worth exploring. Creative expression gives them proof: "I made this. I thought this through. I finished something that came from me." That proof is the bridge I stand on when I move from talking about empowerment in theory to guiding them through structured workshops that join art-making with spoken reflection and group sharing.

Combining Art And Public Speaking In Youth Workshops

When I design youth empowerment through creative expression workshops, I start by giving the group a shared question instead of a lecture. It might be something like, "What does courage look like for you this week?" I speak on the theme for a short time, using simple stories and clear language, then pause. That opening talk sets a tone of honesty and respect, but it stays brief so the main voice in the room can shift to the youth themselves.

After that, I move into an art activity that is concrete and open-ended. For one session, I might bring out paper for watercolor art and invite each participant to paint a moment when they felt small and a moment when they felt strong, using only color and shape. In another, I might use pen and ink drawings or simple acrylic paintings on cardstock to explore ideas like boundaries or support. I walk the room quietly, noticing effort and small risks, not just "talent."

Once the art piece has a first layer, I guide a storytelling exercise. I ask them to name their piece, then write three to five sentences from the perspective of the image: "If this painting could talk, what would it say?" That small shift lets thoughts come out without the pressure of "talking about myself" right away. It also prepares them for speaking out loud.

The public speaking part begins in low-stakes steps. I might invite volunteers to share only the title of their work. Then, in pairs or small circles, they read their sentences to one another while the rest practice listening without interrupting. Gradually, a few choose to stand at the front and share the story of their piece with the whole group. I coach simple skills: breathing before speaking, making eye contact with one person at a time, and pausing between sentences.

That rhythm of creating, writing, and speaking builds a supportive environment where youth feel seen and heard. Those who are more comfortable talking first often model courage, while those who prefer quiet begin to test their voice through their art and written words. Each step is an invitation, not a demand, which teaches that communication grows through practice, not perfection.

Whether I offer these public speaking workshops for teens in person or virtually, I keep the structure similar. In person, art materials spread across tables and the shared physical space add a steady energy. Online, I adapt by asking participants to use materials they have at home and hold their work up to the camera, or share photos in a chat. Discussion and sharing still happen in small groups or breakout rooms, and I stay attentive to facial expressions and silence, just as I did as a youth supervisor.

Using art to connect with youth in this way turns public speaking into something less like a performance and more like honest communication. The artwork holds their feelings; the spoken words give those feelings shape in the air. That dual practice helps young people build communication skills alongside creative confidence, which is the heart of how I use public speaking and creative practices to empower youth.

Using Storytelling And Inspirational Poetry To Connect With Youth

Storytelling sits at the center of how I speak with young people, not as a performance, but as a mirror. When I share a personal story, I choose moments that carry both struggle and small movement forward: a time I felt misunderstood, a choice I regretted, or a quiet win that no one else noticed. I keep details concrete so youth can picture the scene, then I pause and ask what they would have done, or what part of the story sounds familiar. That pause matters. It turns my story into a doorway for their own thoughts instead of a speech they are listening to from a distance.

My book Tranquil Thoughts grew out of that same impulse to name feelings directly. The poems in it are short, plain-spoken reflections on worry, grief, hope, and the desire to change. When I read a piece aloud during a talk, I watch the room, not the page. Often, a line about feeling tired of pretending, or about wanting a fresh start, lands in silence first. Then I see heads nod. That shared pause tells youth, "You are not the only one who feels this." Poetry, in that moment, becomes proof that someone else has carried similar weight and found words for it.

After I read an inspirational poem, I invite a response. Sometimes I ask them to circle a single word or phrase that stands out and use it as a starting point to write two or three lines of their own. Other times, I ask them to write from a prompt like, "If your future self could speak to you right now, what would it say?" I offer my own brief example first, so they see I am doing the work alongside them, not just directing. Those small writing tasks loosen the grip of perfection. Spelling, grammar, and polish step aside so emotion can move to the front.

When youth share what they have written, either in a small group or out loud, I guide the room to listen for feelings, not to critique craft. I might ask, "What emotion did you hear in that piece?" or "What line stayed with you?" This kind of feedback teaches that their words have impact because they are honest, not because they sound like anyone else. Over time, that practice builds youth leadership through creative expression, because they learn that speaking from the heart has value in a group setting.

Storytelling and poetry together create a layered kind of public speaking. My personal narratives show that adults make mistakes, learn, and keep going. The poems from Tranquil Thoughts give language to emotions that often stay hidden. Their own stories and poems then complete the circle. Public speaking becomes less about perfect delivery and more about exchanging real experiences. That shift is where confidence often begins: not in a polished speech, but in the first honest story shared out loud in a room that listens.

Practical Public Speaking Tips For Youth Mentors Using Art And Creativity

When I speak with youth, I think in layers: visual, written, spoken. That same structure can guide any mentor who wants to bring art into public speaking.

One simple starting point is visual storytelling. Before a talk, give each young person a blank index card or small sheet of paper. Ask them to draw a moment from their week using only shapes, symbols, and color, not words or faces. While they draw, you speak briefly on your theme, like courage or respect, then pause and invite a few volunteers to describe their image in one or two sentences. The drawing holds the feeling; the short description becomes a first, low-pressure step into speaking.

Another approach is to use short poems as a mirror. I often read a piece from my book Tranquil Thoughts and then ask the group to underline one word that hits home. As a mentor, you can share any simple poem, then invite them to write three lines that begin with that chosen word. Afterward, ask for volunteers to read their lines out loud. This keeps the speaking moment brief but meaningful and links their voice to a concrete starting point.

Interactive, expressive sessions work best when movement is built in. During a longer talk, I break the room into small circles and ask each person to hold up their drawing or poem while sharing one sentence about it. The task is clear and contained, so even shy youth often try. You can coach basic public speaking skills in the moment: stand or sit tall, breathe once before you start, and speak to one listener's eyes at a time.

I also like to end with a collective activity. Invite the group to place their drawings in a loose grid on a table or wall, then walk along it together. Ask, "What themes do you see?" or "Where do you notice strength?" This turns individual expression into shared reflection. Your role shifts from lecturer to guide, and youth see that their art and words matter to the group, not only to themselves. Over time, this blend of art and public speaking to inspire youth makes every session feel less like a performance and more like a conversation they help shape.

My years as a youth supervisor, combined with my lifelong practice as an artist and author, give me a unique perspective on how public speaking and creative expression can build confidence and leadership in young people. By blending storytelling with art-making, I help youth find their voice in a way that feels safe and authentic. This approach supports their growth not only as communicators but also as individuals who understand their own emotions and strengths. For those interested in commissioning original artwork, attending creative workshops, or exploring my book Tranquil Thoughts, I invite you to learn more through my literary and booking agent Tianna DeNA Jones of Caligirlbooks LLC. I am also excited to continue reaching wider audiences with my upcoming appearance on Season 2 of Chillin With Cali Fae on the Universal Revolutionary Healing TV Network. Together, these opportunities encourage connection and open doors to creative self-expression that can inspire lasting change.