0:00:20.753,0:00:24.600
Ask any 16-year-old[br]what the best new-found freedom is,

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and everyone will say the same thing:

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they're officially legal...

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to drive, that is,

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and in their minds a perfect age

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to drink something[br]a little bit stronger than cordial.

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At our age, we are caught[br]in the middle of our youthful innocence

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and the scary world that lies

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beyond the borders[br]of our school and our family,

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with lingering expectations[br]to find our place

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not only within what has become[br]a solidified community here at school,

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but rather the ever-growing world[br]of economics, politics, and design.

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Girls find themselves experimenting [br]and expanding their horizons

0:00:56.786,0:00:59.703
by unleashing their most [br]basic human instincts:

0:00:59.703,0:01:02.981
satisfaction and exploration.

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Some girls choose to satisfy[br]their social appetites

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diving into the world of[br]partying and self-expression,

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whilst others

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explore boundless possibilities[br]to act beyond their years

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and to stimulate their minds[br]creatively and academically.

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We are fooling ourselves[br]if we don't acknowledge

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that every generation[br]goes through this period in life.

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When we get old,[br]we don't want to have regrets,

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and feel the need to break free[br]from commitments

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that apparently tie us down.

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A perfect example of this[br]is the film Hall Pass.

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For those of you who aren't familiar,

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a group of men put [br]their marriages on hold

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to experience what they're missing[br]in the singles party scene,

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because they regretted[br]not having taken full advantage

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of their days as "studs".

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In reality,[br]it would be bordering on pathetic

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if we were to end up[br]with this kind of attitude.

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In saying this,

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there are many ways[br]to explore life beyond childhood

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and expand our horizons —

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opportunities that will leave us[br]with a greater insight

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into the part that we will play[br]in our world's future.

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I have a personal experience[br]in expanding my horizons.

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At the beginning of the year,[br]I took on extra studies

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and completed a subject called[br]"Contemporary Issues in Law and Society"

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at Bond University.

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This involved[br]studying a wide spectrum of topics,

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incluiding politics, abortion, euthanasia,

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stem cell research and capital punishment.

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All topics, many people believe,[br]are beyond my years

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of experience and knowledge.

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In my tutorial alone,[br]there was a capitalist, a muslim,

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an Asian, a European,[br]and a few other interesting individuals,

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all ranging from 15 to 55 years of age.

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So there was bound to be[br]a great deal of difference in opinion,

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and this was explored[br]throughout our 12 weeks.

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At university,[br]everyone is given a level playing field,

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meaning we all have the ability

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to share and manipulate [br]many unique ideas.

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I formed independent opinions about topics

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that girls my age don't usually consider,

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developed critical thinking skills,[br]and learned to effectively

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analyze information[br]put forth in lectures and tutes,

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as well as improving[br]public speaking skills.,

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as I learned to speak freely[br]in front of a diverse group of people.

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There are boundless opportunities[br]out there,

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within the grasp of young girls.

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It's just a matter of[br]having the motivation and initiative

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to commit to these.

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Whilst partying [br]may be fun and fulfilling,

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the abilities to converse and analyze[br]at a university level

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can provide enlightenment[br]and pave the way for

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a more successful and fulfilling future,

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personally and professionally.

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So don't limit yourself.

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Experience the world[br]outside of your comfort zone,

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and take advantage of[br]ideas and opportunities

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waiting out there for you.

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Because you never know[br]where they may lead you.

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Thank you.[br](Applause)