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 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.
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