Kalina Slavkova Gives Valedictorian Speech

by Esther Lenssen, ACB

West Volusia Toastmasters Club in DeLand, FL (Division D, Area 43), is proud to announce that their member Kalina Slavkova gave an inspiring Valedictorian Speech at DeLand High School. The top academic scholar of DHS and International Baccalaureate student is the daughter of West Volusia Treasurer Margarita Slavkova, CC. Together with Dakari Gray, son of West Volusia President Rodney Gray, ACB, ALB, Kalina is taking advantage of the Toastmasters International two-track educational program.

It has been a pleasure to see both Kalina and Dakari enhance their speaking and leadership skills and boost their confidence. Watch Kalina's speech in this video and you'll understand why her mother is not the only one who's really proud of this young woman. Kalina explained that Olivia Schofield inspired her—our keynote speaker at this past District 84 Spring Conference and top female speaker at The World Championship of Public Speaking in Las Vegas in 2011. Kalina wrote her speech herself and tweaked her presentation during several phone calls with fellow club member and District 84 Governor Dennis Wooldridge, DTM. As you will notice, she speaks without using her notes—thanks to her Toastmasters education—which is quite rare for any speaker at high school graduation events.

Kalina Slavkova and Dakari Gray

This picture shows Kalina and Dakari at a suprise party West Volusia Toastmasters threw for the two graduates. Kalina received a full scholarship from the University of Pennsylvania. Dakari graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Deltona High School Advanced Placement program and was able to secure a scholarship from Stetson University in DeLand. We wish them both well on their future path. We hope that Kalina will come visit us whenever she's not at UPenn or traveling the world and look forward to Dakari serving as our Sergeant-at-Arms in the near future. How convenient it is that Stetson is also West Volusia Toastmasters' meeting room sponsor!

“Ritzy Business” Wins Monty Ray Davidson First Place!

by Paul Peterzell, CC, CL, Reporters' Chair

Monty Ray Davidson, ACG, ALB
District 84 International Speech Contest winner

Those who attended the District 84 Spring Conference held in May in Orlando, may remember hearing many speeches that touched the hearts of some and inspired many. Monty Ray Davidson’s speech entitled “Ritzy Business” won him first place in the 2013 International Speech contest for District 84. Sylvia Deputy, CC, and Jean Jeune, DTM, made second and third place.

Monty's long road to the District Speech Contest began in January as first place winner at his World Toasters club contest at Walt Disney World. The idea for the speech came to him years earlier while in college. As a marketing assignment Monty had to take a commercial on television and speak about its message. Monty chose the Ritz Cracker as a foundation in life.

His message in the speech is simple, yet profound. “To reach goals you need to have a strong foundation. To have a plan is not enough, you have to commit,” he explained. “An icecream Sundae is not a good solid foundation. Add Jimmies, which represent self-doubt or negative voices, and you are kept from reaching your goals.”

Monty stressed that a solid plan or a solid foundation in life is a commitment to work your plan so that things won't fall off and you are more apt to reach your goals and fulfill your dreams in life.

When asked what gave Monty confidence to compete and advance as far this time, he stated, “I always admired the International Speech contestants in what makes a good speech. Orlando Advanced Toastmasters club has provided invaluable insight to me and I have watched other speakers deliver great speeches so I can learn from them.”

Everyone in District 84 is rooting for Monty as he represents our District at the International Speech Contest at the 2013 Toastmasters International Convention, which will be held on August 21–24 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Urcil Peters Wins D84 Table Topics Contest

by Esther Lenssen, ACB, ALB, SunTalker Editor

This year's Spring Conference theme was “Mardi Gras”, its motto “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (as they say in New Orleans), and the good times did roll!

Friday night (May 17) started with the great opening ceremonies and banner parade, followed by the ballroom dinner. Then it was contest time. Contest Master Mabel Burridge, CC, CL, opened the District 84 Table Topics Contest and announced the order in which the eight contestants would give their speeches.

The Table Topics question was, “The colors of Mardi Gras are purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. Which of these colors best represents you?” We listened to eight creative, energetic and inspiring speeches and were excited to hear whom the judges had selected as winners. Urcil Peters, DTM, won first place; Blake Smith, ATM, came in second and Milka Derisma, CC, third. Here's a short interview with Urcil Peters:

Urcil, I remember sitting next to you at the previous conference, the 2012 Fall Conference, and that you competed there, too. How many times have you made it to District level in a contest since you joined Toastmasters in October 2008?

Urcil Peters: I have competed at the District level five times since 2008; four times in the Speech Evaluation contest, and once in Table Topics. And I have had the good fortune to have been selected as one of the top three in each competition.

What do you like best about speech contests? Why do you keep participating?

Urcil Peters: Good questions. Simply, I love speech contests because I love speech. And competitions are a way to hear and deliver speeches at a high level. Contests also require balancing creative thinking, stage craft, staying on message, connecting with your audience and managing time constraints—and trying to make all five things work together better than all of the other competitors is a great mental rush.I keep participating because it's still fun for me. And like I said earlier, I love speech. And contests give me the opportunity to do something I really enjoy.

How did you prepare for the Table Topics Contest?

Urcil Peters: One of the mental exercises I use in preparation for this contest was something I learned from my college debate team. I think about a topic from at least three different viewpoints so that I can see the “same thing” from different angles. Preparing for a Table Topics competition is learning to choose an appropriate point of view when you are asked to say something about a question you haven't heard before.

What's your secret to not appear like a deer in the headlights when you hear a Table Topics question?

Urcil Peters: Three things. First, you need a pre-speech ritual to help reduce your anxiety. Because Table Topics—more than any other contest—can fry your nervous system. Next, while waiting your turn to speak recite a couple of motivational quotes to yourself. And finally, when you hear the question, smile—your date with destiny has finally arrived and you're about to have the time of your life. Enjoy.