Stephanie Rocabado- My Experiences as a Project Manger for Group 1 and 2.

 Being one of the two project mangers for our class gave me a very different experience when it came to the public speaking presentations. I wasn't just siting back and observing. I was checking in with groups, helping answer questions, and making sure things stayed organized. Me and Juan agreed to split the groups between us in order to be able to be more accessible and efficient. While Juan worked with Groups 3 and 4, I mainly worked with Groups 1 and 2, so those are the groups that I was able to see up close throughout the entire process.

At the beginning of the project, I wasn't completely sure what being a project manger entailed. I knew I had more responsibility than most students but I didn't realize how much organization, communication, and patience the role would require. As the presentations got closer, I found myself checking in more often, helping clarify expectations, and making sure everyone was on the same page. Taking on this role made me more aware of how differently groups work and how important guidance and support can be during a group project.

Group 1 presented Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5, which focused on the foundations of public speaking, confidence, listening, and adapting to audience. From early on, this group stood out for how clear and organized they were. Aiva Deus used photos that actually matched the information, which made the slides easy to follow and not overwhelming. From my perspective, this worked really well because the visuals supported the content instead of distracting from it. Alain Perez also contributed clear, straight to the point speaking tips that were easy to understand and simple to take notes on, making the presentation feel practical and useful. 

When Group 1 moved into Chapter 2 on building confidence, the presentation felt especially relatable. Kevin Sanchez included questions that reflected what most of us think about when we present, like feeling nervous or worrying about messing up. I liked this approach because it felt honest and helped the audience because it felt honest and helped the audience feel understood instead judge. Adrian Rupert added tips that made presenting feel more manageable and less intimidating. Watching this presentation as project manager, it was clear that the group understood their audience and focused on reassurance rather pressure.

Chapter 3, which focuses on listening was another strong moment for Group 1, Aliyah Mensch clearly explained why listening matters and broke down the listening process in a way that was easy to understand. Alexa Adame added helpful tips for listening with a purpose and practicing active listening. This chapter stood out to me because listening is important not only in presentations, but also in leadership and teamwork. As someone helping manage groups, it reminded me how important it is to really listen when supporting others and helping them stay on track. 

Group 1 also presented Chapter 5 on adapting to you audience, and Amanda Alfonso's presentation was engaging right from the start. She began with questions tht pulled people in, explained key terms simly, and ended with reflection questions that actually made you think. From a project manger perspective, this presentation showed strong awareness of the audience and demonstrated how engagement plays a big role in effective communication.

Group 2 presented Chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8, which focused more on planning, research, supporting ideas, and organization. This group was very structured and that showed  throughout their presentations. Dylan explained the different speech purposes clearly and gave helpful tips for choosing a topic that fits both the audience and the time limit. Ashely followed up by breaking down specific purposes and explaining how they help speakers stay focused and meaningful. As a project manger, I noticed how having clear roles and planning ahead helped this group stay organized.

For Chapter 6, Amber and Ariana did a great job explaining how to research a topic without making it confusing. Amber talked about using different sources and perspectives and how to search smarter, while Ariana explained interviewing sources, evaluating information, and avoiding plagiarism. Research can easily feel overwhelming, so I appreciated how clearly they explained the process. From my role, this chapter felt especially important because strong research helps make presentations more credible and effective.

Chapter 7 focused on supporting ideas, and Dayjuan clearly explained the different types of testimony and why credibility and facts matter. Ashton added to this by breaking down narratives and examples and explaining how stories help ideas stick with the audience. I liked how this chapter balanced facts with emotion, since both are important when trying to persuade or connect with an audience.

Group 2 wrapped up their presentations with Chapter 8 on organizing and outlining a speech. Dayana’s presentation was very organized and easy to follow especially the way she broke down speech parts, transitions, and overall structure. Amy added clear examples of transitions and explained where to use them, which made it easy to see how they improve flow. From a project manager point of view, this felt like a strong conclusion because it tied all the previous chapters together.

One thing I noticed while working with both Group 1 and Group 2 was how different their strengths were. Group 1 focused more on engagement and connection with the audience through visuals and questions, while Group 2 was more structured and detail-oriented in how they organized their information. Seeing these differences helped me realize that there isn’t just one “right” way to give a strong presentation. Different approaches can be effective as long as the group is prepared and understands their goal.

        These are the things I noticed most while work with Groups 1 and 2. Both were very strong in different ways!

Overall, working with Groups 1 and 2 was a really positive experience. Both groups were prepared, organized, and clearly put effort into their presentations. Being a project manager allowed me to see how much preparation and teamwork affect the final outcome, while still learning valuable public speaking strategies myself. Even though I didn’t directly work with Groups 3 and 4, my experience with Groups 1 and 2 helped me better understand how communication, planning, and collaboration all come together in successful presentations.

Being a project manager also helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It pushed me to be more patient, organized, and aware of how people communicate in group settings. I learned how important encouragement and clear communication are when helping others succeed. If I were to take on this role again, I would feel much more confident guiding groups and supporting them throughout the process. Overall, this experience made the presentations feel more meaningful than if I had just watched them as a regular student.