Toastmasters, a public speaking and leadership program usually associated with adults, has gone back to school.
For the past three years the Toastmasters Youth Leadership program has been included as part of the curriculum in Ellen Thomas’ Leadership Class at Chatelech Secondary School.
This year 25 students in grades 10 to 12 participated in eight-class sessions learning interview skills, identifying volunteer opportunities, studying the key points of a good speech, reviewing tips on speech delivery and practising listening and observation skills.
School District No. 46 trustee Christine Younghusband spoke to the class about her speech preparation leading up to her being voted onto the B.C. School Trustees Association board of directors.
“My speech this year was the turning point,” she said.
All students were given the opportunity to present a story or speech to the class.
A number of these students were then invited to speak at the Toastmasters Storytelling night on May 20. The audience, many of them experienced Toastmasters, were pleasantly surprised by the confidence, speaking ability and positive messages the teens shared.
Margaret Page, the immediate past district governor of Toastmasters in B.C., attended the last session of the Youth Leadership Program. In her speech to the teens she shared how we allow fear to hold us back from doing the things we want to do, and how the fear of public speaking can be minimized and turned into a strength with work and practice. Page also presented each student with a certificate from Toastmasters International, recognizing the course they had completed.
Sunshine Toastmasters meets at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. Guests are always welcome. For more information on Toastmasters or the Youth Leadership Program, contact Maureen McBeath, mmcbeath@dccnetcom
