Friday, May 15, 2015

Imagine Your Child?

Youth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to America


Youth Speaking to AmericaYouth Speaking to America


Open House








Saint Petersburg Toastmasters   2284.toastmastersclubs.org
Founded January 22, 1957
58 Years of BETTER LISTENING, THINKING, AND SPEAKING

You are invited to our OPEN HOUSE, June 2nd - 6:15 pm  
We meet every Tuesday evening, at Hope Lutheran Church
...................................................................................................................................................................

Youth Speaking to America (YSTA) Presents
Summer Youth Speech Camp

YSTA- SUMMER PROGRAM GOALS -

  • Extemporaneous / impromptu speaking-called Table Topics (T T) perfect for job interviews?
  • Your speech - title's: About Me, My Passion,  How could I change the world?  Or your special speech.  Speech times 2-5 min.
  • Learn the art of speech evaluation - every time you give a speech you get evaluated.?
  • Learn to eliminate filler words like: so, and, you-know, like, hm, ah, and more?.


When: Wednesday mornings,
Location: Hope Lutheran Church
Address:  1801 62 nd Ave N. 
                St. Petersburg, Fl. 33702,  parking on 18th St.
Meeting time depends on how many students 10 am -12 pm
Dates:
June 17 - 24
July  1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29
Aug.  5
Aug.  6  Graduation / Speech Contest -- families are invited  5:30 - 8 pm
www.youthspeakingtoamerica.com
727-455-7337
york.ysta@gmail.com
Thank You
York Somerville, 12 year Toastmaster
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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Become unmistakable

Recently I picked up this interesting little book 'The Art of Being Unmistakable" the author Srinivas Rao, writes:
"The future belongs to the misfits?

Perhaps it always has.
It seems fitting that I'm writing this at Burning Man, a strange and alternative pop-up city that had to venture into the middle of nowhere - an ancient lakebed in the Nevada desert, known as playa - to bring itself into being near the end of every August.

Each time I come here, to this world of portapotties, alkaline dust storms, sweltering days, freezing nights, and no Starbucks - I swear to myself, this is the last freaking time. And yet there's a point when something in me shifts over and I know I will return. How could I not? "Welcome home," Burners say as we reunite with each other on the playa, and it's true. Even if you've never been here before, the playa calls you home."

In the last line, on page 130 of 'The Art of Being Unmistakable", the author says" It's the opportunity for a performance where you leave your heart on the stage."

So you read this powerful little book, it's everything you ever thought about? It's the commonsense stuff your mother said, or your 4th grade teacher, yea!

Then you think about leaving your heart on the big stage, everyone has their idea of what their big stage is? What about the art of being unmistakable? How do you get there?


Each week when I enter the classrooms, for 1.5 hr sessions, I see that " opportunity for that performance, in those children " They have that chance to be unmistakable.

Maybe when your running that marathon 26.2 miles, at mile 16 you hit the wall, the lactic acid builds in your legs! Thank god, a water stop, you walk, your legs burn, you want to quit? You down some Gatorade, grab some cookies, sugar, sugar, you want to quit, your legs say quit, your brain says you trained and trained, it says no! And the big stage is only 10.2 miles away, eke! People along the way see your pain, they know, because they may have experienced the big stage, they feel your pain. They know about the big stage....it can change your life.

They know, soon you will arrive at the big stage, it's just like returning to the playa, it even has portapotties, thou this stage may have a Starbucks! Your body is so tired, you have forgotten about the pain! You have arrived - when you get it, it's so powerful!

It's so powerful, when you arrive!

Don't we all hit the wall? Do you wonder what Albert Einstein's parents thought when at 9 years old his teacher said he would never amount to anything? Do you wonder what he thought? What if that was your child? What if it was you who wanted to break down the wall? We know Albert Einstein's story, but how about the next kid, he may not have a 150+ IQ, he may not be smarter then the detractors, those who put up the wall!

When Ronald Reagan said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" was it a different wall, not really, but in reality it's the same wall that separates people from different freedom's.

Who builds the walls? It could be you, me, educators, government, bosses, the kids in the school yard? What if the wall was just in your mind? Do you think Albert Einstein cared about the wall? Why do people keep returning to the palya, maybe because they find answers. How to climb the wall, how to get to the big stage?

My mission Youth Speaking to America, is about breaking down walls. It's about giving students the chance to become someone. So exactly what is the big stage? Is it inventing the iPhone, scoring the touchdown that wins the Iron-bowl, or telling the world about The Theory of Relativity or acing that first big job interview? You decide, what is your goal?

Youth Speaking to America is about teaching how to open your mind, not to ever believe that person who says you can't do that, your not smart enough? Remember in teaching children there is no wall, like Walt Disney said " if you can dream it, you can do it" you can!

Everyone can reach the big stage. Your stage may be American Idol, teaching children, breaking down barriers like Nelson Mandela, building Amazon ( Jeff Bezos ), or just a good parent, teaching values. Remember you don't have to be rich, just be real!

Personally, I don't remember being told this stuff, I did stuff the hard way, because I lacked education. The one thing I tell all the students, if you work hard, and be on time, someone will notice. But if you build your own wall ( no education ) it's so much harder, I know!

If your a person who likes my ideas, see what the children say: www.youthspeakingtoamerica.com

Sunday, April 26, 2015

YSTA- SUMMER SPEECH PROGRAM

YSTA- SUMMER PROGRAM GOALS - TIMES - DATES

Building a Toolbox

  • The vision board
  • Extemporaneous / impromptu speaking-called Table Topics (T T)
  • Your first speech - title: About Me 
  • Learning the art of speech evaluation
  • Each student will receive the  Youth Leadership Program 

The goals of each meeting:
  1. A fun way for your children to learn public speaking.
  2. Creating and learning how to answer those extemporaneous questions,  build speeches, present speeches and evaluate speeches.
  3. Lots of emphasis on the use of filler words, such as like, and,so, also overcoming the use of hums & ah's.
  4. The program is based on weekly participation, if possible. Becoming a good speaker is work and the more often the child speaks, the quicker their confidence will grow.
  5. Experience growth with guest speakers, evaluations by experienced speakers, and continuing mentor-ship.
  6. At each meeting the children actively participate in evaluating each other.
  7. This will be a continuing program.


Timing: each meeting will have an assigned timer
  • T T : up to 1 minute
  • Speeches: 2-3 minutes
  • Evaluations: up to 1 minute

SUMMER 
 SPEECH PROGRAM

Location: Hope Lutheran Church
Address:  1801 62nd Ave N. 
                St. Petersburg, Fl. 33702 - parking behind building on 18th St.
                                                            look for YSTA signs
Meeting time depends on how many students 10-12pm
Dates tentative: 
June 17 - 24 
July  1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29
Aug.  5
Aug.  6  Graduation / Speech Contest -- families are invited  5:30 - 8pm


york.ysta@gmail.com        

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Art of Being Unmistakable - Youth Summer Speech Program








Recently I picked up this interesting little book 'The Art of Being Unmistakable" the author Srinivas Rao, writes:
"The future belongs to the misfits?

Perhaps it always has.
It seems fitting that I'm writing this at Burning Man, a strange and alternative pop-up city that had to venture into the middle of nowhere - an ancient lakebed in the Nevada desert, known as playa - to bring itself into being near the end of every August.

  Each time I come here, to this world of portapotties, alkaline dust storms, sweltering days, freezing nights, and no Starbucks - I swear to myself, this is the last freaking time.  And yet there's a point when something in me shifts over and I know I will return.  How could I not? "Welcome home," Burners say as we reunite with each other on the playa, and it's true.  Even if you've never been here before, the playa calls you home."

In the last line, on page 130 of 'The Art of Being Unmistakable", the author says" It's the opportunity for a performance where you leave your heart on the stage."

So you read this powerful little book, it's everything you ever thought about?  It's the commonsense stuff your mother said, or your 4th grade teacher, yea!

Then you think about leaving your heart on the big stage, everyone has their idea of what their big stage is?  What about the art of being unmistakable?  How do you get there?

Each week when I enter the classrooms, for 1.5 hr sessions, I see that " opportunity for that performance, in those children "  They have that chance to be unmistakable.

  Maybe when your running that marathon 26.2 miles, at mile 16 you hit the wall, the lactic acid builds in your legs!  Thank god, a water stop, you walk, your legs burn, you want to quit?  You down some Gatorade, grab some cookies, sugar, sugar, you want to quit, your legs say quit, your brain says you trained and trained, it says no!  And the big stage is only 10.2 miles away, eke!  People along the way see your pain, they know, because they may have experienced the big stage, they feel your pain. They know about the big stage....it can change your life.

They know, soon you will arrive at the big stage, it's just like returning to the playa, it even has portapotties, thou this stage may have a Starbucks!  Your body is so tired, you have forgotten about the pain!  You have arrived - when you get it, it's so powerful!

It's so powerful, when you arrive!

Don't we all hit the wall?  Do you wonder what Albert Einstein's parents thought when at 9 years old his teacher said he would never amount to anything?  Do you wonder what he thought? What if that was your child?  What if it was you who wanted to break down the wall?  We know Albert Einstein's story, but how about the next kid, he may not have a 150+ IQ, he may not be smarter then the detractors, those who put up the wall!

 When Ronald Reagan said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"  was it a different wall, not really, but in reality  it's the same wall that separates people from different freedom's.

Who builds the walls?  It could be you, me, educators, government, bosses, the kids in the school yard?  What if the wall was just in your mind?  Do you think Albert Einstein cared about the wall?  Why do people keep returning to the palya, maybe because they find answers.  How to climb the wall, how to get to the big stage?

My mission Youth Speaking to America, is about breaking down walls.  It's about giving students the chance to become someone.  So exactly what is the big stage?  Is it inventing the iPhone, scoring the touchdown that wins the Iron-bowl, or telling the world about The Theory of Relativity or acing that first big job interview?  You decide, what is your goal?

Youth Speaking to America is about teaching how to open your mind, not to ever believe that person who says you can't do that, your not smart enough?  Remember in teaching children there is no wall, like Walt Disney said " if you can dream it, you can do it" you can!

 Everyone can reach the big stage.  Your stage may be American Idol, teaching children, breaking down barriers like Nelson Mandela,  building Amazon ( Jeff Bezos ), or just a good parent, teaching values.  Remember you don't have to be rich, just be real!

Personally, I don't remember being told this stuff, I did stuff the hard way, because I lacked education.  The one thing I tell all the students, if you work hard, and be on time, someone will notice.  But if you build your own wall ( no education ) it's so much harder, I know!

If your a person who likes my ideas, see  what the children say: www.youthspeakingtoamerica.com


YSTA- SUMMER PROGRAM GOALS - TIMES - DATES

Building a Toolbox

  • The vision board
  • Extemporaneous / impromptu speaking-called Table Topics (T T)
  • Your first speech - title: About Me 
  • Learning the art of speech evaluation
  • Each student will receive the  Youth Leadership Handbook 

The goals of each meeting:
  1. A fun way for your children to learn public speaking.
  2. Creating and learning how to answer those extemporaneous questions,  build speeches, present speeches and evaluate speeches.
  3. Lots of emphasis on the use of filler words, such as like, and,so, also overcoming the use of hums & ah's.
  4. The program is based on weekly participation, if possible. Becoming a good speaker is work and the more often the child speaks, the quicker their confidence will grow.
  5. Experience growth with guest speakers, evaluations by experienced speakers, and continuing mentor-ship.
  6. At each meeting the children actively participate in evaluating each other.
  7. This will be a continuing program.


Timing: each meeting will have an assigned timer
  • T T : up to 1 minute
  • Speeches: 2-3 minutes
  • Evaluations: up to 1 minute

SUMMER 
 SPEECH PROGRAM

Location: Hope Lutheran Church
Address:  1801 62nd Ave N. 
                St. Petersburg, Fl. 33702 - parking behind building on 18th St.
                                                            look for YSTA signs
Meeting time depends on how many students 10-12pm
Dates tentative: 
June 17 - 24 
July  1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29
Aug.  5
Aug.  6  Graduation / Speech Contest -- families are invited  5:30 - 8pm


york.ysta@gmail.com        727-455-7337

Sunday, January 25, 2015


Today we talk about the future, the children!  I will call it "A Trip to the Future". About six years ago, I designed some labels to go inside book covers. Then in some cases I would ask groups of students to read a book. Since they sat in rows in the class room, I picks the rows. They each had to read the book, and sign on the label "A Trip to the Future". Each group would then pick one person to deliver a speech on that book. At the end of each Youth Leadership Program, we would have a graduation/speech contest, where the families are invited. The students goal then deliver a speech on the book. The book


Pulling Weeds to Picking Stocks Paperback – August 5, 2008

  "Teen authors The Beatty Brothers offer an account of common financial insecurities in their inspirational how-to, Pulling Weeds to Picking Stocks. Heeding their parents advice, David, Devin, and Deric Beatty have spent their childhood and adolescent years pulling weeds for extra cash, preparing and presenting marketing strategies, picking stocks, and investing in their future. Pulling Weeds to Picking Stocks includes their easy-to-follow tips for being rich at fifteen, thirteen, and seven, such as budget worksheets, work ethics, asset liability evaluation, and tithing. No matter what age, you can follow these practical guidelines to make cents of the change in your life."  See the winner: 12 year old Chloe..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHa_G4AMRfo

When I joined Toastmasters in 2003
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our membership is 292,000 strong. These members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,350 clubs in 122 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.)

 I had no idea how Toastmasters would impact my life.  When you realize what you can do as a teacher, leader, communicator, it becomes "A Trip to the Future"!

So many children since Chloe and that class of 2008, have touched my soul!  As I wrote in blog Break Down That Wall
"Remember you don't have to be rich, just be real!"

Friends, YSTA is about being innovative, being real! 

You may ask the question, are the children learning?  Read blog: The Kids Say Thank You and http://www.youthspeakingtoamerica.com/STUDENTS-SPEAK-UP.html

York