I am a Toastmasters YLP graduate now

We had Toastmasters YLP graduation last Friday.  There was a speech contest and I managed to get first place.  The other speakers were fabulous and it was a learning experience.  We also had table topics contest after that - which I missed most of since I was the Sergeant-at-arms keeping contestants at bay outside the room.

My speech was entitled "Embrace your fear; Soar to Success" and it was 4-5 minutes long.

Did I mention my YLP experience helped me breeze through most of my Boy Scouts Communication merit badge requirements.  And of course it gave me a lot more confidence with my school book report presentations.

Can't wait for the next session!! :)

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

For the past 8 weeks, I have been attending a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program, or the YLP which is sponsored by the Star Search Toastmasters club.  It was a 2 hour session every Friday.

This is basically a Toastmasters club for kids. Toastmasters are 18 and above.

Here, we learn about speaking in front of groups. 15 kids are in this class. We learn to stop using the words: UM, AH, SO, Etc. These are called filler words. In this 8 week session, we learn these eight things. In one session, we might learn this:

1.       How to run a toastmaster meeting.

a.       Having an agenda

b.       Starting and ending meetings on time

c.        Keep discussions on track

d.       Encourage everyone to participate.

e.        Make sure the meeting’s purpose is accomplished

We learn how to speak on the dot, or impromptu speaking. We call this Table Topics. We get only 15 seconds to think about a one minute speech on a certain topic.

IF you want to become a better speaker, check out Toastmasters.

Visiting the California Academy of Sciences

A few weeks back, we went to The California Academy of Sciences. They were awesome! First we went to an igloo where we learned about the Aurora Borealis. Then we saw an albino crocodile. After a walk up the steps, I saw the living roof. Then it was off to the Rain Forest. The humidity is genuine. See if you can catch a butterfly or a hidden frog. Can you see a camouflaged snake?

Then, it was straight to the one and only planetarium. There, we saw the origins of the Earth and the search for life. As we were winding down, we saw the penguins. Along with those rare animals, we saw tigers, deer, giraffes, and more. Finally, we went to the energy section and saw our carbon footprint.

Bored of your science book? Ready for some fun? Then go visit the California Academy of Sciences.