- April 25, 2024
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The rules were simple: contestants had a little more than a minute to speak about a surprise topic that they were told about only when they came to the front of the room.
This was the Toastmasters Club Contest and, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, four contestants had to get creative while presenting their speeches on the evening's topic, friendship. And while each contestant had their own unique style of speaking to the audience, it was Port Orange resident Michael Shamat, a doctor, who won the judges over to win first place.
Shamat will go on to compete in the area contest on Sunday, March 18, and, if he wins again, will have the chance to compete in the division, then district and finally national competition.
"I'm doing it to improve my ability to speak, communicate effectively with people and listen to them differently and better," Shamat said.
Some competitors, like Amy Michaelis, who came in third place, have joined Toastmasters as a way to achieve a future goal.
"I read a book about it and decided to join as a New Year's resolution," Michaelis said.
Michaelis, who joined this year, said she is planning to use what she is learning in preparation for when she will be presenting research in the fall at the Florida Association of Behavioral Analysts conference.
Second place winner Kirsten Kasper also joined Toastmasters this year. For her it started after she moved into her boss's role as a project manager at Embry-Riddle. This meant she would be doing more public speaking.
"I was in a bit of a panic," Kasper said. "I don't do public speaking, this isn't my thing. I thought I had years to work on this. My dad has always tried to convince me to go to Toastmasters and I thought I would give it a try ... I absolutely loved it."
As for her public speaking? Kasper said being a part of Toastmasters has helped her improve.
For Lori Summers Wolfe, the Toastmasters organization provides way to be involved in a fun and positive group, especially after tragedy. Wolfe's husband died about three years ago and Wolfe found herself retired but wanting an outlet. What she found was Toastmasters where she formed connections and had a way to enjoy herself in a positive environment.
"I've had kind of a roller coaster couple of years," Wolfe said. "I feel like I'm trying to get my self confidence back."
