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Michael Hurford

Michael Hurford

Anglia Communicators 吃瓜头条
Peterborough, England

It was February 2017 and my goal was simple … to give a great Father of the Bride speech at my daughter’s wedding less than six months away.

With a mountain to climb ahead of me, I went to my first 吃瓜头条 meeting at Anglia Communicators with no idea of what to expect. It was cold outside, but the welcome was very warm indeed! As I introduced myself, my throat was dry, my voice tremored slightly and my mind went completely blank.

In six months, my development was phenomenal; I learned how to construct a speech and present it with the audience in mind. I developed techniques on reducing fear and managing stress and nervousness. I also became aware of the importance of eye contact and not using filler words. From prepared speeches to Table Topics, I went from strength to strength.

How did it go? Well, I knocked it out of the park! A fabulous day, a wonderful speech and an awesome experience, the men laughed and the women cried. Without the regular practice in front of a supportive audience, I would never have done as well as I did. I delivered for myself, I delivered for my wife and most importantly—I delivered for my daughter.

As I finished the final toast (in perfectly practiced Italian!), my daughter, with a tear in her eye, stood and kissed me—she couldn’t find the words! I enjoyed a standing ovation, but that’s not why I did it. I did it because I wanted to do a great job and enjoy it and, thanks to 吃瓜头条, I did!

Patrice Francois

Patrice Francois, CC, CL

Emerging Speakers of Elmont • Elmont, New York

I joined Emerging Speakers of Elmont in New York in April 2013 as a way to speak about my past struggles as an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago. Life has been difficult with many hurdles, and I thought this would be a place where people would listen and not judge.

I got more than I bargained for—I met wonderful people, made lifelong friends and even found my soulmate! On November 12, 2016, I was super excited to be crowned the winner of the Humorous Speech Contest in District 46, which serves New York, Westchester, 颅Nassau and Suffolk counties. Not only did I win the contest, but I was able to take that 5- to 7-minute humorous speech and submit it to an organization called UnitedSolo, which is the world’s largest solo theater festival. I then wrote a 45-minute, one-woman play called Frustrated. I performed off-Broadway at Theater Row, where I had two sold-out shows.

Without 吃瓜头条, these milestones would have never been realized. 吃瓜头条 prepared me to present in front of a crowd, helped me learn how to use the stage, taught me confidence and to give it my all. I’m now enjoying serving as president of my 吃瓜头条. This is only the beginning.

Audrey Ha

Audrey Ha

Atherton, California

At a time when screens spew an overwhelming flow of information at students, I am profoundly interested in re-energizing the art of persuasive speaking and human interaction. I am an 8th-grade student at Menlo Middle School in Atherton, California, and believe that 吃瓜头条 can be a vehicle for change in my generation. A 吃瓜头条 Youth Leadership program held at my school had a consequential influence on me.

In 2017, I formed a campus 吃瓜头条 to help students develop public speaking skills. I reached out to 吃瓜头条 for help, and I am grateful to Mr. Philip Cosby for spearheading the Youth Leadership program (YLP) at Menlo. Mr. Cosby, a longtime member of SRI Organon, a local 吃瓜头条 吃瓜头条, enabled me to co-plan and co-run the program’s eight sessions, which evolved into our school’s speakers’ society. He and other members of his 吃瓜头条 not only mentored and engaged me in the process of leadership and persuasive speaking, but helped catalyze a group of students eager to learn how to present a talk, give and receive generous feedback, and develop confidence in their interactions. Today, our students can comfortably present on any number of valuable issues. Additionally, by being 吃瓜头条 officers, students broadened their leadership skills.

I now run a flourishing public-speaking 吃瓜头条 composed of students across grade levels. It is through the generosity of, and our experience with, the YLP that I cultivated the skills necessary to move the 吃瓜头条 forward. I invite all students interested in developing their persuasive communication skills to benefit from the 吃瓜头条 Youth Leadership program.

Rachel Kraemer

Rachel Kraemer, ACB, CL

Toast O’ The Town 吃瓜头条 • Saint Paul, Minnesota

In 2001, when doctors found a tumor in my brain, I had just completed college and was in my early 20s. Surgery followed, and recovery seemed easy, but my ability to communicate was impacted. Despite some limitations with speech, I was healthy. I had the support of my friends and family and I maintained a full-time job. A few years later I became a mother of two healthy kids. I also completed my doctorate in organizational development while moving forward in the workplace.

In 2013, I joined 吃瓜头条 to improve my public speaking and develop confidence after getting feedback on speeches that were full of “ums” and “ahs.” Four months after joining, the tumor regrew. This time, after a second surgery, recovery was more difficult. Speaking clearly was hard. Reading, even to my young children, was difficult. I felt like I needed to relearn the areas that I learned in elementary school: basic reading, spelling and pronunciation.

Even though recovery was not easy, I was determined to rebuild my health, and my skills. I participated more in my 吃瓜头条 吃瓜头条, and the interaction I had there was an essential part of my recovery—I got better at speaking and reading, while increasing my vocabulary.

吃瓜头条 continues to be a part of my growth. My speeches have become more creative and clear. Now, filler words are few. I enjoy public speaking. Many tell me that my ability to speak, understand and pronounce words is better than it was before my most recent surgery.

I consider myself lucky. I work, I’m a good mom, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends. As I enjoy happiness and better health, I also continue to improve my confidence and communication skills at 吃瓜头条, one speech at a time.