To represent District 81 at Toastmasters semi-finals in Las Vegas
Philipsburg, St. Maarten, May 20, 2015— Sharon Layne, of Territory, St.Maarten, outshined more than Thirteen regional participants to win the district-level competition of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest held at the recently concluded District conference in Haiti., With this victory, Sharon Layne qualified to advance to the semifinal rounds of the contest; Toastmaster Layne is vying for one of nine spots in the World Championship of Public Speaking at the semi-finals of the World Champion of Public Speaking. The semi-finals are scheduled to be held at the Toastmasters World Convention in Las Vegas in August.
Layne, a member of the Disciples Toastmasters Club in St. Maarten, triumphed over stiff competition to win the hearts of the audience and judges alike with her speech, 'T.M.A.R'. The speech touched on the themes of despair, triumph, passion and persistence. " My speech focused on my Toastmaster's journey and its addiction on my everyday life. This addiction, I posited, was "sweet" and should become the norm for all toastmasters. "Speak life into TMs addiction, I say. Don't just be a TM; become an addicted TM" and follow in my footsteps.
Ninety one winners from districts around the world advanced to the semifinal round after a six-month process of elimination through club, area and district speech competitions. Their five- to seven-minute speeches were judged on: content, organization, delivery & language.
"Toastmasters speech contests offer participants another way to build their confidence, because they sharpen their skills and allow them to speak to many different audiences,"says Layne. ""As I venture forward in my TM life, I encourage everyone in St. Maarten and District 81 to support me on 12th -15th August 2015, when I attempt to capture the World International Speaking crown in Las Vegas, and bring glory to St. Maarten and by extension the Caribbean".
Layne is an Educator at the Saint Maarten Academy School in St. Maarten. She joined Toastmasters to become a better speaker and leader at work and in the community.
The Toastmasters International Speech Contest is the world's largest speech contest, involving 30,000 participants from 122 countries. It culminates with the popular World Championship of Public Speaking held annually at the organization's International Convention.
District 81 is one of 91 districts, which comprises more than 141 clubs in the Caribbean Basin. District 81 comprises 23 Territories from Haiti in the north to Guyana in the south, with representation from the French, Spanish, Dutch and English Caribbean. The district impeccably epitomizes the true Caribbean unity.
To learn more about District 81, please visit: www.caribbeantoastmasters.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caribbean-Toastmasters-International-District-81/135081618413?ref=bookmarks
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization's membership exceeds 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.
