More than Bargained for: Our Area 62 International Speech and Evaluation Contests

Yes, indeed, the gavel sounded at just past 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 11th March, and the International Speech and Evaluation contests were exhilarating. In the rare occurrence, we were served the icing before the cake.

Silver Spring 1314 president Joan Phillips, in her role as Contest Master, pulled off a surprise drama. As a prelude, Area 62 governor Mel Bayo took center stage and showcased a bit of gallantry as he assisted her with putting on the final "touch of elegance"--her complimentary sweater. Joan then unleashed her vocal composition of "It's a Beautiful Day in the Area." This was a welcome treat to which she invited the audience to participate. It was a graceful stage performance--the kind for which Julie Andrews is famous.

With such an invigorating stage setting, the contest progressed with a fancy flair. Our contestants, Maxine Blanks and Shirley Jarvis, represented our club well. Shirley had the audience enthralled as she gave a rather "potent" rendition of her speech titled "The Devil in Disguise." Can you guess what that is?

Maxine "took the cake"! She was awarded the first place trophy for the Evaluation contest! With her budding critical listening and thinking skills, she delivered her carefully structured evaluation of Beth Mizuno's provocative speech titled "My Auntie Kai." Beth brought a bit of Hawaiian cultural chant to life onstage. She is a member of the NRC Toastmasters.

Silver Spring 1314 will be represented by Maxine at the Division F Evaluation Contest slated for Sunday, April 22nd. Kudos to you, Maxine!

The first place trophy for the International Speech went to Justin Fry of Monument Toastmasters. Justin took us on an emotional ride with his evocative "She Said No" speech. Thunderous applause followed the happy conclusion when she finally said yes!

Toastmasters contests seem to offer more than bargained for, and yesterday's contest certainly delivered. Guys, if you missed the speech contest, make a point of asking Teddy Walker of Toast USS about the "magic" in wearing a pink shirt. Speaking of magic, did you know that Calvin Robinson of Top Notch Toastmasters is "running" inspiration?

Hats off to Mel and the host of volunteers who blended hearts and hands in pulling together such exciting and rewarding contests. Let's look at a few notable mentions: Andrea Tolbert of Holy Cross Words was Sgt-at-Arms. Her winning smile and confidence overshadowed any clues to the fact that this was her debut role in an Area contest. Karin Francis, Area 66 governor, was Chief Judge. And the all-important Timing was managed by Una Mae Kettering, Division F governor, with her Timer-in-Training, Pauline Brown.

Renee Davis of Silver Spring 1314 continued her enthusiastic strides for growth and success in Toastmasters. She was on top of things, both at the front of the house with registration and back stage with ballot counting. Desiree Payne provided her usual quiet support.

It was a delight to have Ida Hayes, past president of Silver Spring 1314, attend in support of our contestants. Welcome back, Ida!

This was truly a delightful experience. Commendations to you, Mel, on your dedicated and competent leadership in executing another Area 62 contest!

--by Pauline Brown, Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 VP Education

We have . . . TWO WINNERS!

Congratulations to the winners of our Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 Table Topics and Humorous Speech contests . . . and Bravo/a to all those who participated!

Six contestants came forward for Table Topics, conducted into the room one by one by our Sergeant-at-Arms Robin Bradshaw. Contest Master Merlyn Kettering presented each with the thought-provoking query: What person from the past, present, or imagined future would you most like to meet, and why? We enjoyed thought-filled responses from Andy Jacobs, Drew Kolody, Mary Olowofoyeku, Renee Davis, and Fiona Morrissey . . . and CLARENCE FEATHERSON, whose intriguing two-minute account of the pioneering life of America's first African-American female physician garnered the most votes from our judges.

It was exciting to have three of our newer club members--each of whom has joined within the last year--entertain us with well-prepared Humorous Speech entries. Andy Jacobs, Drew Kolody--double entrants both!--really had us chuckling! But in the end it was SHIRLEY JARVIS, drawing us in with a tale that began darkly--like, really darkly--and then delightfully lightened right up, who emerged as our judges' top choice.

Thanks to Merlyn, and Chief Judge Mike Nolan, our judges, and everyone who enjoyed a fun and enlightening evening as they supported our contestants.

Congratulations, Clarence and Shirley!! We are pleased and proud that you will represent our club in the Area 62 Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, at Takoma Park Presbyterian.

First meeting full of verve and vigor!

Thanks again, everyone who participated, for kicking off our new Silver Spring Toastmasters year con BRIO last Wednesday evening!

We lived up to that excellent Word of the Evening that Renee Davis shared with us--so much so that most of the photos I snapped came out a blur! (Likely there's an iPhone setting to take care of that . . . will explore further, or try taking video next time! :)

Featured here is the sole posed photo--of 2011-12 Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 officers Pauline Brown, VP Education; Desiree Payne, VP Membership; Maxiine Blanks, VP Public Relations; Andy Jacobs, Secretary; Mike Nolan, Treasurer; Shirley Jarvis, Sergeant-at-Arms; and me, Joan Phillips, President--snapped by Merlyn following our installation by immediate Past President, Mel Bayo.

Fittingly, our leadoff meeting featured some new developments . . .

• See the NEW ORANGE NAME TAGS? If you're a member who wasn't able to attend, you'll find one waiting for you at the door at the next meeting. No more hand-scribbled stick-on throwaways, thanks to Shirley!

• Why orange? We introduced OUR NEW CLUB COLOR: ORANGE--a powerful color evocative of activity, fun, socialization, and . . .

• Our 2011-12 CLUB MOTTO: IGNITE YOUR POTENTIAL! as well as member and District Governor Barry Piatt's District 36 motto, BE THE SPARK! and member and Division Governor Una Mae Kettering's Division F motto, FIRE UP!

We also enjoyed some new twists . . .

. . . (and a lot of laughs) as our creative respondents, including William Aley, rose to Table Topics Master Mike Nolan's challenge to concoct a story leading up to the "moral of" he provided them.

. . . as Master Evaluator (and new Area 62 Governor) Mel Bayo expanded on the three excellent evaluations with insightful pointers of his own . . . foreshadowing the You Too Can Become a Great Evaluator theme you'll find at many of our meetings this year.

As always . . .

. . . The meeting featured admirable preparation and delivery by our Toastmaster of the Evening (Pauline).

. . . We were treated to informative and inspired speeches: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short & Simple) by Maxine, who did!; "Medicaid's Nursing Home Benefit" by Henry Nash (many notes taken); and "We've Got Talents" by Las Vegas International Speech Contest bound Eldon Ralph (GO ELDON!).

. . . Our speakers, and each of us, benefited from perceptive, well articulated evaluations (by Andy Jacobs, Eniola Olowofoyeku, and Merlyn Kettering).

. . . We also received valuable feedback from our Timer (Robin Bradshaw), Grammarian/ Wizard of Ahs (Hoan Dang), and Listener (Shirley Jarvis).

. . . And, of course, we enjoyed great refreshments (thanks to Fiona Morrissey, Marcia Snyder, Una and Merlyn, and other contributors).

Looking forward to seeing you on WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, everybody!