８月２９日（火）、郡山市中央公民館多目的ホールに於いて『第６６回郡山市中学校英語弁論大会（第６６回福島県下中学校英語弁論大会予選会）』が開催され、本校から２名の子どもたちが参加しました。
　＜創作の部＞に秋山さん（３年）が「Wearing Two Hats」を、堂々と発表しました。
　以下に発表した内容（英文）を掲載します。
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　　　Wearing Two Hats

　“I want to study hard in school!” reads a written vow hung in the living room of my home. It’s called an “ema”, and it was my biggest dream when I was still in nursery school. But the truth is that there was one more thing that I wanted to study hard; the violin.
　I had wanted to take violin lessons since I was about five years old. I was inspired by my favorite character on a television program called “Quintet.” When I entered elementary school, I finally began to study the violin. I enjoyed trying many kinds of compositions, and as I challenged myself, my skills improved.
　In third grade, my teacher offered me the chance to perform at the Big-I. In front of hundreds of customers, I played a concerto. It was my first time performing in public. I was nervous, but excited. I wanted more chances to share my love of the violin. I began to participate in violin competitions. My experiences gave me the opportunity to take lessons from a professional British violinist. Eventually, I advanced to the national competition, and I won! I soon became known in my city as a brilliant young violinist.
　Over time, I enjoyed the violin less and less. My lessons became intense, and I was practicing the violin for many hours every day. I also started to study the piano. There was no time for me to play with my friends after school or to enjoy my holidays. Gradually, the happiness I found in the violin faded away.
　When I reached junior high school, I thought about my old dream to study hard. I realized that sharing my love of music was not all that I wanted. I realized a new dream: to become a doctor. But balancing my dreams would be difficult.
　I started spending more time on academics. My parents were unhappy. We quarreled about the ratio of time I used for violin practice and studying. I continued to join concerts and competitions, but my performance was suffering. I did not want to stop playing the violin, but I needed more time to study!
　I found myself performing the violin with an orchestra in Germany. We played traditional Japanese compositions, known as “Minyo.” The audience applauded and cheered with joy as we took our bows. Through this experience, my adoration of the violin, performance, and bringing joy through music was reborn. But I was still unsure about my future.
　By my violin teacher’s advice, I went to an orchestra concert at Fukushima Medical University. A woman at the front of the orchestra had my full attention; she was playing a violin. She had found the balance between music and academics. I realized she was my ideal.
　If I make a new vow, what shall I write? “I want to study and practice the violin very hard!” I will become a doctor and I will perform for my patients to bring them comfort. It’s difficult to follow two dreams at once. But I believe the effort is worth it to bring happiness to many people. This is my biggest dream now. Thank you.
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