Students having fun with speaking.

I am always looking ways to challenge these young minds. This one was quite funny.  Each student was given a index card. They were to write 4 things they wanted to do with their lives. But what they had to do was switch cards and be that person on the card.  http://youtu.be/koWdT3lh6yk




At the start of the first session, I have the students fill out these vision boards.  They may surprise you? here are a few.

Filling the TOOLBOX

Parents, teachers, and Toastmasters, what are some of the things most important to our young adults in secondary school education?  A foundation must be built, which emphasizes good reading habits and studying skills.  There is also a great need for students to be able to properly and precisely express themselves in public.

My background and experience have led me to observe the tremendous progress in youth speaking over the past seven years.  This fall I will teach my 9th Toastmaster Youth Leadership Program.  I also make presentations every year at Toastmaster Leadership Institutes as well as District Conventions.  One of my many goals for the coming year will be to create the Youth Speaking to America (YSTA) group in June which will culminate in the American Youth Speech Contest, aka 'The Big Show'.

I am determined to make YSTA-2014 an event which will benefit all adults and children who attend.  This will not just be a speech contest but a learning experience which will show our young students how much fun they can have by participating.

People who know me recognize my passion and my determination to improve the skills of youth speaking in public.  “Filling the Toolbox” with ideas is a concept which I constantly refine and try to drive home to our young initiates.

I sincerely believe that every child has the potential to do well in a particular area.  Under our current methods of teaching there are often too many obstacles in the way, in  order for a child to succeed.  At the age of 16, I met my future mentor, Bob Riley, and he helped me unlock my unrealized potential and changed my life for the better.

“Filling the Toolbox” with creative ideas is one of the primary focuses of YSTA while we continually strive to develop proper speaking skills.

The parents of Albert Einstein were told that their son would be a failure and not live up to expectations.  Do not let this happen to your child!  Now, can I guarantee that your son or daughter will be the next “great thinker”?  No, I can’t but what I can do if you participate in YSTA is assure you that we will do our very best !

I am absolutely convinced that your attendance is critical at the YSTA.  If your desire for your child is to succeed, be creative and improve their self-esteem, then many will learn to meet the elevated goals and standards we set for them.  We have a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to have a dramatic impact on our children and the future leaders of America.  Why wouldn't you want your child to participate?

In closing, during this 2013-2014 Toastmaster year I want to persuade hundreds of clubs to teach and mentor our youth to become better speakers.

See you at 'The Big Show'

York

See what the students say about public speaking?

 YSTA- is starting the search for 5th thru 12 grade speakers for 'the big show' speech contest.  Entries should open Dec. 15th, 2013

Location: Tampa Bay, Fl.

Title: YSTA-American Youth Speech Championships 

Date:  June 2014

Contact: York Somerville

york.ysta@gmail.com

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Who is Mr. York

Mr. York

By: Lauren B.

I love Toastmasters thanks to one special person. Mr. York. Over the past several weeks, our class has had the honor of the mentoring of Mr. York Somerville in Toastmasters youth leadership program. Mr. York as we called him, always came to our class with a positive attitude. It was almost like he enjoyed working with us! :) Something not many people would do. Mr. York taught us many things; like organization, organizing our speeches, being good listeners, voice projection, and use of gestures. We learned how to give and receive constructive criticism through our evaluation guide. Most importantly, he taught us speaking in front of people is not our number one fear, number two being death according to many studies. At this time we would like to show our appreciation of Mr. York with a few memorable gifts. Mr. York please join me at the lectern. First a shirt. You are now officially part of the Pasadena family!!!! Second, a stopwatch. That way you no longer need to endanger your fancy phone. And third, a photo album so you never forget us.. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said this about public speaking, “Be sincere, be brief, and be seated.” As will I.

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