Local Toastmasters place at the area 15 speech and evaluation contest

PLAINS — All-Ways Talking Toastmasters, Doug Wilks and Frances Abbey, garnered second place trophies in the area 15 evaluation and speech contests, respectively, March 24 in Plains. Both contestants qualified for the area contest by giving winning speeches at the local club. Plains Toastmaster, Jody Saunders, took top speech honors in the area 15 contest. She will represent area 15 at the Division A contest in Missoula on April 9. If for some reason Jody is not able to attend, Frances will substitute for her.

The Division winner advances to a District contest. District winners have a chance at becoming crowned World Champion of Speaker this August in Las Vegas. Likewise, Doug could compete at Division if first place evaluation winner, Patty Johnson, does not go to Missoula.

Evaluation contestants draw for speaking order and then listen to a speech given by a target speaker. They are given five minutes to compile notes. A Sargent at Arms then gathers their notes and takes the contestants from the room except for contestant No. 1 who gives an evaluation of the speech. Each successive contestant is given their notes to use when it is their turn to give the evaluation. To qualify evaluations must be at least 1 minute 30 seconds and no longer than 3 minutes 30 seconds. Evaluations reflect what the speaker did well and give the speaker at least one suggestion for improvement.

All-Ways Talking Toastmasters meet Tuesdays on the SKC Campus. Call Velda Shelby 675-3577 or Frances Abbey 675-2142 for more information.