Friday, April 18, 2014

Summer Youth Speech Program


YSTA- is about opening young minds to art of communication


Our Spring 2014 Speech / Graduation was Powerful
see comments 
 Toastmaster Scott Howard
So impressed and inspired by 27 5th-grade kids at the Youth Speaking to America speech contest and graduation event on Wednesday evening. My friend, York Somerville has been teaching these future leaders the skills to speak in front of an audience. The confidence they each displayed in front of a room filled with parents, teachers, and fellow students was truly impressive. Of course it included lots of laughter and great fun too!

Toastmaster, parent Brent Stephens wrote:
Hi York,
Wow, what an impressive display of talent last night! You are to be commended for a job well done with the students at Pasadena. I'm sure I was not alone in being awed by the poise, the creativity and the passion on display from our next generation of young leaders. Much of what I've heard of the program has been secondhand information from Alejandra, but I must say, the performances last night were far above and beyond what I had expected. The students showed exceptional command of the key components for public speaking and speech-writing emphasized by Toastmasters. It was obvious they were very well coached and had great enthusiasm for the program.
Alejandra has especially enjoyed the program and it was exciting to see her passion for writing her speeches, especially those about her new year's adventure, roller coasters and sea life. She took great pride in her writing and loved to practice her speeches in front of Maria and me. She returns the favor when I prepare speeches and is becoming an astute evaluator. I know this experience at such a young age has expanded her potential and will serve her for life.
Thank you again for sharing your time, your resources and your experience with the children. You have truly made a positive difference in their lives. 

York
This Freakazodial evening brings me to tears! The children cleverly wove my invented word Freakazodial into their speeches and Table Topics. As i was talking to the audience about how important learning public speaking in the 5th grade is, I asked how many would like to be President of the United States? Almost every child raised their hand, wow! This class taught by Cheryl Rice is truly amazing. Pasadena Fundamental, expects the students and the parents to participate, and they did.
It is hard to put into words, how this affects your life. When I set out 10 years ago to take my message ( stay in school ) to as many students as possible, I had no idea how the children would affect my life. Last nite gave me the opportunity to promote 'The Artsy Ant Alphabet Art Book , when I first showed this book to this class before Christmas, I saw the excitement in the children. This is a brilliant book for children of all ages. In the moment, in these freekazodial moments, the support of fellow Toastmasters, Lynn Perry, Ruth Liss, Rick Rhodes, Amanda Tanner, Vernon Kearney, Jeanette Sweenney, Vilma Britton and Scott Howard, and of course their teacher Cheryl Rice, is special. One day I could only hope the school system and Toastmasters will see the value?