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!