Another stylish Saturday, another stylish area contest. Today I completed the Division C run of area contests by attending the joint Area 23 & 24 contest. I got some breaking news early when I found out I was going to be in the International Speech contest. It was going to be an exciting contest. Third contest in a row I’ve attended.
Our contest was being held for the third year in a row at the Riverview Community Action Corporation in Oakmont. Area Directors Sue Mals and Nate Stephens served as our contest chairs. Before the contest, I socialized with fellow Toastmasters Christina Keener and Faerie Grace. While I praised Faerie for her videos that helped motivate my blog, she praised me for my sense of style. She said my look was perfect 👌 for me.
Nate and Sue briefed us in the other room and told us what to expect. We cast numbers to see who would go first. The order for the International Speech contest was Yasmin, Faerie, Sanchita, me, and Nick. The order for Evaluation was the reverse order of our names. Sanchita was first, followed by me and then Faerie would close out the Evaluation portion of the contest.
The speech contest went very well. All the speakers did a great job. Faerie and I both came in unprepared and gave it our best effort. Yasmin, Sanchita, and Nick also gave it their all. We would await the winners later.
We took our intermission and Faerie and I discussed how we did. We also discussed my wardrobe and I was told that I made a great advertising piece with the outfit I had picked out. I rocked my jeans with a white cardigan, teal top, orange scarf 🧣 and my whiskey boots 👢.
It was now time for the Evaluation contest. Our sergeant at arms Amy Noll took Faerie and I to another room while we waited our turn. BPMI’s Laurel Stevens served as the model speaker. Her speech was on books and how they relate to people. One book was like that relative whom you’re stuck with. Another is like that friend you can’t say no to. The third book was like that acquaintance you knew from high school. Overall a great job by Laurel. The closing piece I put in my evaluation was that the speaker and the audience should ask themselves “Is there a book genre that seems like a “mystery” to you?”
After the Chief Judge and his team reviewed the ballots, it was time to decide the winners. In the Evaluation contest, I placed third, Sanchita placed second, and Faerie won first place. In the International Speech contest, Yasmin placed third, Faerie placed second, and first place went to Sanchita. Both Faerie and Sanchita will represent Division C in the next contest March 28 at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Sue extended an invite for us to go to Oakmont Bakery. I gladly accepted the offer. We all met there and we knew it was going to be a long wait. So we made the best of things and decided what we were going to order.
I ordered an “Oakmonter Dolce” as well as some hot cross buns to take home. I sat down with Brett and Sarah (Souri) and we waxed Toastmasters. Brett ordered some macarons as well. I tried a pink one. Same color as my water bottle. I was assured that it was stylish, as I worried what some people would think about my pink water bottle, orange scarf, and love of Gilmore Girls. I made plans to attend a future North Hills Toastmasters meeting.
After Sarah and Brett left, I socialized with Yasmin, Sue and Carol (Snyder). We talked about former Toastmasters and how great the Area contest was. We kept Mike Dalton in our thoughts and prayers as he buried his mother on Saturday. She passed just recently and he gave a good testimony at our recent Greensburg meeting.
Time to close off the blog by inspiring you to live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it.
Coffee ☕️ and friends make the perfect blend. Find time to get together whether it’s at Starbucks or White Rabbit 🐇 or in your kitchen.
Remember to follow the Golden Rule. Do to others as you would like them to do to you (Luke 6:31).
Put together a nice outfit and rock it even if no one’s looking at you. I had a nice outfit picked out today and got some nice compliments.
Make this weekend lovely. Enjoy the sunshine ☀️ and take the sunglasses 🕶 ❤️ ❤️ tomorrow.
Bye everyone. 💕 you 😘 🤗.
Stylish 🍒 