Dialogue Page 10

Coaches Corner

Toastmasters Honored at Hall of Fame Luncheon

Alan Swartz, DTM Immediate Past District Governor

District 26 honored several Toastmasters for the contributions during the Hall of Fame Luncheon at Fall Conference in Denver. Hugh Curley of Night Speakers and Double Talk clubs received the Toastmaster of the Year recognition. Hugh has been a Toastmaster for 20 years, serving as a district officer in District 4 several years; taught at the Front Range TLI’s last year; mentored four new members; chaired an Area Contest; taught at District Conferences; and lead his club Double Talk to President’s Distinguished. These are only a few of Hugh’s accomplishments which earned him this award. Ed Morgan of Area F-6 received the Area Governor of the Year award for leading his area to Presidential Distinguished; assisting with the demonstration meeting at Aspen Cloud 9 Toastmasters; mentoring the Hindman Sanchez overflowing	club; and participating in several demonstration meetings to start new clubs. He is currently coaching Mountain Toastmasters. Michelle Chapman received the Division Governor of the Year award for leading Foothills Division to Presidential Distinguished. Michelle participated in the Aspen demonstration meeting, helped throughout the district, and visited the four clubs in Montrose and Grand Junction in the absence of an Area Governor and helped them conduct a speech contest, their first in several years. Carol Harris, D-6 Area Governor, received the District Officer of the Year award for leading her area to Select Distinguished, working very diligently to build up her clubs who were struggling, and for establishing a fantastic area newsletter which facilitated communication in her area. She also organized awesome speech contests which used outside judges to get unbiased results for the contestants. All of these individuals are talented, enthusiastic, and exemplify what can be achieved in Toastmasters to help others grow.
District Contestants Inspire Audience Alan Swartz, DTM Immediate Past District Governor
District contestants in Evaluation and Humorous Speaking always inspire the audience. They have stepped out of their comfort zones to compete in the club contests, area contests, division contests, and finally at the District Conference held November 13th at the Embassy Suites in Denver. Everytime a person enters a Toastmasters contest they have to raise their level. If it’s evaluation, they have to listen very carefully to the test speaker and figure out how to make a great evaluation to distinguish themselves from the other competitors. If it is humorous speaking, they have to get very creative with their thoughts and then practice and practice to have every facial expression, gesture, and pause contribute to the overall impression and message they leave with the audience. In the District Evaluation Contest, Tyler Hart was the test speaker with her speech on overflowing	helping entrepreneurs throughout the world. Gigi DeGala was Toastmaster. Jonathan Fleck of Dawn Yawn was first in evaluation, Pam Hertzog of Spirited Speakers and Ranch Raconteurs was second, and Datta Groover of Colorado State University Toastmasters and Noonshiners was third. The humorous contest brought many laughs with Gina Curley as Toastmaster as Mary Schmicken spoke on "Confessions of a Grammarolic"; Pam Hertzog on "Family Fun Memories"; Sherman Wiseman on "Business Trip"; Tyler Withrow on "Anthropomorphism Gone Bad"; Datta Groover on "My Awkward Years"; and Judi LaPoint on "I Feel Bad About My Neck". Judi LaPoint of Summit Toastmasters placed first, Tyler Withrow of Gates to Excellence and Rocky Mountain Toastmasters was second, and Pam Hertzog was third.