Philipsburg:---17 youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 received their certificates of completion after putting on a display for parents and invited guests as the first of three ceremonies scheduled to celebrate the conclusion of three Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program concluded. The ceremony took place at the Living Praise Ministry building in Philipsburg on Tuesday evening.
The Youth Leadership program is a recognized program of Toastmasters International and the purpose is to instill self confidence in youngsters by helping them develop effective communication and leadership skills. The program consists of eight weekly sessions during which youngsters are taught proper speech writing and public presentation skills including bringing the speech to life thru body language, eye contact, vocal variety and gestures. In addition, they are required to practice good listening skills in order to provide positive feedback to their colleagues. The sessions also allowed the youngsters to practice parliamentary procedures as part of their leadership development.
During the closing and certificate ceremony, all youngsters got the opportunity to perform as they conducted a Toastmasters meeting where they could show off the skills learnt and their improved self confidence. Parents and invited guests were very impressed to see the public speaking skills of the youngsters and inquired about having advanced sessions. Vijay Dayalani, President of the group for the last two months gave a full explanation of Toastmasters and how much they have learnt over the period and expressed the sentiment of all present who were happy to have made it, but sad that the sessions had come to an end.
Program facilitator, Advanced Communicator Silver and Competent Leader Valerie Brazier explained that the Youth Leadership program on St Maarten started three years ago when the Ark Foundation and the United Student Government approached the Philipsburg Toastmasters Club to conduct sessions to help youngsters with their self confidence. The resounding success of the program has this year resulted in toastmasters having to conduct two regular sessions and introduce an advanced session for those who wish to continue. “We are pleased that the Ark Foundation and Ms Edna Rijkaard have chosen to continue working with St Maarten Toastmasters to help these youngsters; Brazier stated. She thanked her assistant Nina Lambert-Diaz, the Ark Foundation and the Living Praise ministry for making the building available for hosting of the sessions over the two month period. In commending the youngsters she encouraged them to continue excelling as they prepare themselves for future leadership opportunities.
The ceremony for the advanced group, facilitated by DTM Rolando Tobias will take place this Friday evening and the final group will have their certificate presentation ceremony next week Monday.