CUL DE SAC:--- Competent Communicator Sharon Layne copped the top spot at Sunday night's Speech Contest hosted by the Disciples Toastmasters Club.
The event, which took place at the St. Maarten Academy's academic campus, was a run-up to the Area 26 Toastmasters International Speech Contest, slated for Wednesday, April 1, at the Government Administration Building. Layne will be going up against the winners from Philipsburg and Soualiga Toastmasters Clubs.
Layne's win Sunday night came one week after the original contest date for the club was postponed because at that time (March 22) she had lost her voice. Her speech title parodied her entrance into the 90-year-old organization some two years ago and gave the audience a glimpse of what Toastmasters has to offer. Her use of effective speech techniques gave her the edge over the other contestants, Mrs. Patricia Jardine-Peter, who emerged second place; and Mr. Clayton Felix, in third place.
During her interview with Contest Chair Kim Lucas-Felix, Layne explained the motivation for joining Toastmasters.
"Sometimes in life we procrastinate because we do not have anything better to do, [but] I am inspired by anything that stimulates my intellectual ability and joining Toastmasters was just that."
A teacher by profession, Layne said the camaraderie of her home club, as well as the opportunity to educate and inspire others, motivated her to keep excelling, of which she is no novice. She has earned a myriad of accolades both in her homeland Guyana as well as on St. Maarten, among them graduating the best secondary teacher in Guyana in 1992, being named bantamweight champion in 2006, and being crowned the St. Maarten Mature Queen in 2012-2013.
Asked what is her secret to success, Layne smoothly responded, "Hard work and dedication. It is a drive...If you are doing something, practice is important. Also reading your [Toastmasters] manuals to know what is expected of you."
Should she not be able to compete on April 1 at the Area level, Toastmaster Jardine-Peter will be the club's alternate.